Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave Im lost ?? on it takes three what does it mean when you have 3 x   and 4 x  ?? did I miss a lesson somewhere ?? or ?     Thanks

I have trouble reaching the bottom of the 1 hole bend on the A harp. In other words, the half-step bend is sharp, not in tune. Same trouble on a G harp. It seems to require more tongue movement than I can get.

I can get the full bend on the 1 hole of the C harp and higher keys.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

In Blues for Paul DeLay, there is a dip into an 8/9 draw combo.

I cannot figure out how to get this dip. Even on my one custom harp, all I get is a squeal. I don't really understand how a dip would be possible here since the draw on holes 7-10 is the lower pitch. 

Any tips on how to get this? Maybe I'm not understanding something?

Thanks!

Good morning!

I was playing my special 20 yesterday. At one point I picked it up and I was starting to play  chords 1-4 when I heard a weird spring moving/breaking kind of sound. Hole 4 sounded a little muffled after that so I kept playing and it cleared up after a while. Should I be concerned about it? I just bought the harmonica last week. I try not to blow on it too loudly. I do practice a lot.

Thank you.    Julie

Good morning!

I was playing my special 20 yesterday. At one point I picked it up and I was starting to play  chords 1-4 when I heard a weird spring moving/breaking kind of sound. Hole 4 sounded a little muffled after that so I kept playing and it cleared up after a while. Should I be concerned about it? I just bought the harmonica last week. I try not to blow on it too loudly. I do practice a lot.

Thank you.    Julie

Dear David,

  1    2    3     4      5    6     7    8    9     10    HOLES

VII   II    IV   VI     I     III   V    VII  II    IV     BLOW

  I    III   V    VII    II    IV   VI    I    III    V     DRAW continue reading...

Dave are there anymore videos available of you playing like you did with Gary Smith . I enjoyed the Stones tune and even like to practice to it . Just wondering if anymore are out there. 

Hi David,

I'm new here and I know the lessons focus mainly on tongue blocking, but I hope it's ok to ask a question about puckering as well (as right now I am trying to learn both). :D

I keep wondering what to do with my tongue when puckering. I've heard many people advise keeping the back of the tongue low for unbent notes so as not to obstruct the airflow. continue reading...

I'm out of ideas for "exploring" bending. I can achieve a bit more than 1/4 tone pitch change, but with great tension.

I try to only move my tongue (and the jaw dropping size). But either it does nothing, or it bends while at the same time blocking the airflow. If I insist and "suck" more, my cheeks becoming hollow, the bend is there. This can't be the right starting point, but I can't get out of it. continue reading...

Not sure if the other instructors are suited best for my question or you. Well, I'm one of those overthinking music theory people. Just for some reason it helps me understand in what I'm actually doing or being taught. So, my question is this... continue reading...