Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Apologies in advance as I'm sure this has already been posted elsewhere. I looked around, but couldn't find an answer though. I'm wondering how I can get a Tongue Block Trainer in Canada as Joe Filisko doesn't ship up here.

I saw instructions on making your own on his site, but I'd rather purchase one somewhere so that I don't have to worry about getting the hole sizes/locations wrong and training on a bad "template".

Are there any alternatives or means of procuring one up here?

Thanks!Eric

Hi David

I'm working on LOA accompanyment study 3 and I would like some blank sheet notes so I can write out the 6 chorus's. Where on the site can I find blank sheet notes?

Hi David,

I am working on Ex. 1.8 of Solo Harmonica Study 2 in order ot submit this for LOA Level 3 when the time comes. All is going well re timing, notes and shuffle rhythm. The one thing I am struggling with is getting the upbeat notes (the pulls) to sound more quietly than the downbeat notes. If I struggle to master this, will this mean a fail at LOA Level 3?

Thanks,

Mark.

Hi David! I'm practicing the song My Blues and also solo harmonica n°5, the first example. Both pieces uses the draw 1 bend. I play the 1 hole using tongue blocking keeping my tongue on the comb of the harmonica on the left of the 1 hole. That way I have a hard time getting the deepest bend but when I lift the tongue and bend like pucker position I can nail the bend really deep. My question is: should I practice the 1 draw bend with the tongue on the comb or I should practice lifting my tongue from he face of the harmonica? Thanks

Hello David,

Ca you please sent me a link for the 3d printed TBT.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Laurent

I'm looking at level four. There's a lot of different material here. Do you have a recommendation in what order to tackle it?

I can't do my 4  bending properly, I almost get the half tone but I can't reach the right tone in the ninja harp. I have no problem with the other bendings Can you give me any tip to improve it? Thanks

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Hi David! Few days ago I started to learn Rice Miller's study song Sonny's Bird. All your indications are really clear and are helping me a lot with the rhythm stuff but when I listen to your masterfully played recording I'm missing some of the nuances. For example some of the "chording" you play sounds way more percussive than the way I play and I'm trying to use the ta-da-da or ta-ka-ka articulations.  Also, in your recording I hear a lot of emphasis on the beats 2 and 4 which gives the effect that you are also playing a drum part. How do you achieve this? Any suggestion? continue reading...

Hi David,

After months of trial and error, I can sound the bends to some degree on  holes 1-4 and 6 although the tone quality is still poor (in my opinion). I'm just wondering what you are expecting from the study song 'Feelin' for the Blues' in terms of bend quallity. I have a tendency to get things as perfect as possible but I know that isn't the aim of this course.

Thanks,

Mark.