Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave, in the video explaining LOA 3 you say that it's a good idea to check out Joe Tartaglia's lessons. I looked and I cannot find those lessons. Can you please let me know if they're on the web site. Thanks, David.

Dave, I'm almost through LOA3 (been a long time at this level). The chances of me playing with others is pretty slim, especially during Covid, but I see that some of what you're teaching to involves playing into a microphone. Is it mic part of the harmonica education to play into a mic? I have an amp so I could purchase the mic but I don't know if this what I should be looking to do at this point. Thanks.

I’ve been studying level one now for a couple of months and am thoroughly enjoying it.  One difficulty I’m experiencing is two-fold and lies in blocking the air passage through my nose.  Firstly, the pitch and tone of single note draws on holes 1 & 2 is horrible (flat and tinny) and secondly, I’m suffocating.  I guess if I can’t solve the second problem, the first is immaterial.  So, maybe I’ll work on that first.  Any suggestions?

Thanks for everything so far.  I’m really excited to have found your website.

Regards,

Julian

Hey, Dave. So, I've been trying My Blues and have run into the most basic problem: breathing. I can't seem to get through the first two bars because they are all draw notes except for the second to the last. Any suggestions as to how to handle this? 

Hello Dave,

I have been practicing blow bends for a while. I know this is way above my level but I know they take time to master so I have included them in my daily practice.

However I have noticed that I have developed a bad habbit, that I need to correct.

I is a little bit frustrating, because I thought I had that figured out, but I have started having troubles with involuntary bending when playing on the high end especially when tongue slapping, especially on a C harp, but on other harmonica keys as well. continue reading...

Hi David,

I am excitedly dipping my toes into Level 3, and I can now consistently bend and am working on control. You make the point that volume is a harmonica killer, so I am always keeping that in mind (although, sometimes a quick and heavy draw just comes out when I search for a specific bent note).   continue reading...

Hi David,

How can i slap quarter note with tremolo.

With regular toung block we use K,

there is a way to do it with a slap or it just practice.

Thank you,

Moran

Two questions when it comes to reworking my improv piece:  1.  Do I use the same backing track/key as before or should I be using the backing track/key from the exerciese (i.e. "The Split" in F)?  2.  If it turns out that I'm overusing focus notes, do I still try to keep the same licks, or should I replace the licks in those choruses with licks that use new focus notes?

Hello David, such a great site! I’m really enjoying it! Is there a rule concerning holding your nose while bending. I noticed that Filisco Has a nose push technique in the Fox Chase. I noticed I seem to be able to draw Lower notes if I’m not breathing through my nose while bending. Are there any general rules for this? Thanks so much, Alan

Hi David,

I am following level 1 section 2 by the levels of achievement. Now I see under the lessons other exercises than named in the levels of achievement. Why are these lessons not included in the levels of achievement?

Greetings Mariska