Ask Instructor David Barrett

Trying to play tunes on the chromatic, I sometimes wonder which C hole to choose.

For example, to play F D C A D, I can use 6 5 +5 3 5 or 6 5 +4 3 5.

I thought at first that using +4 would result in smoother descending motion, moving steadily 1 hole at a time.

Then I found that using +5 seemed easier because moving one time less, even if the jump was wider. Especially with the symmetry of the return motion (+5 3 5).

Trying to play faster, I'm not sure any more, because both need work... continue reading...

Does the LOA 6 submission for the solo harmonica study (ex 1.1) and the blues scale have to be on a G harp or can I use any key harp ?

Hello David,I posted this in the General Forum area, will post it here as well.

I can figure out the key of a song, by trial and error, hit and miss, etc. But I wonder, is there a website where one can list the artist, album name, and be given the keys of the songs on the album. There must be such a service.

"I am looking particularly for the keys of songs on the John Prine album, In Spite of Ourseves". Thanks for any and all help.

Hank H.

Hello David,

Maybe other students have posted this question before - I tried to search the forum for similar questions but don't see a good way to do that. I apologize if it is a duplicate question. continue reading...

Is there a particular reason that the tongue blocks the left holes? why no the right holes? since blues rarely uses the high pitch holes, moving the tongue to the right constantly avoids the need to switch tongue or change mouth size when using the holes on the left of 4 hole. is it right?

Hi David, continue reading...

Hi David, continue reading...

Hi David,

Can you describe how you close your throat for the throat tremolo?  I can make a coughing sound on the blow, but I think I'm just sending small, fast bursts of air with my cheeks.

Thanks.

Noah

Am unable to find Jimmy Lee's Groove Tracks, mentioned in the Jimmy Reed study, any ideas?

I have the Laney 10 and B52 mic and am curious about your tone on LOA lessons. Your horn tone is fantastic, will upgrading the Laney tubes help, or is it your skills that make the difference?