Ask Instructor David Barrett

What software do you use to create the sheet music you provide? I'd like to be able to create my own including the tabulature staff.

Thanks

I have 2 questions about bending.

I can bend on holes 1 thru 6, but I’m struggling with how far I bend and almost always pass were I need to stop bending.  I’m using Harp Ninja which is what is showing me that I’m bending too far.  Then there is hole 3 where I go directly to the full step bend skipping the half step bend.  Is there a trick to getting the correct pitch when bending?  I’m just starting level 3 studies. continue reading...

while moving from 4 to 5 I notice how tough the study has gotten?? I went back and revisited the pass courses and cant find anything I would of skipped over ?? I just printed out solo harmonica 3 and have been playing my blues which is working out pretty good ( been working on it since Jan ) with that being said I am having issues with split tounge to play 1and 4 or 2 and 5 holes is there a leaaon or lessons I missed that teach this and were would I find it ?? I am also find 1.1 in solo harp 3 the 5 (54) kind of hard but also just started yesterday so maybe I skipped something dont know ?? continue reading...

Hello, I  started learning to play this summer,   so have some confusion about theory. I'm thinking of  submitting  material, and just  found the lessons on movement  and breathing patterns. In there you mention thinking or saying the note name to myself as  I play the scale. I'm  probably confused but if I'm playing an A harp, then my first note is actually a A not a C. continue reading...

Dear David,

So, my first 17 days in the harp world have been really fun! The 1 draw problem is almost overcome,  I'm playing well more relaxed, the tongue is slightly touching the harp, the "walk with me" is playable up to the 4th chorus (besides the tremolo), solo harmonica study 1 up to 1.7 and all music theory is done (I'm a guitar player, so it was a kind of revision). continue reading...

I think I just wasted another $60 or so, and another week, buying the wrong key of harmonica. I just bought a C Hohner Blues Harp. I could've sworn I watched an introductory video on this site that said to use a C harmonica. Google says C is the place to start learning blues on harmonica. But then I hit another video, and it's not right. 

So, please tell me what key of Hohner Blues Harp I should buy to get the most out of the instruction material here, so that when I blow into hole 6 it matches what I hear in the video, for example?. 

Hello David.....In accompaniment study 2 Section 1.12 (12 bar blues song) " I want you with me" Is the first 27 seconds or so of the song the TURNAROUND and then you begin to start to play right afterwards or is the (opening or beginning)of the song is where you should start playing along with jam track. Because after about  27 sec. of the song I can clearly hear a 5 chord come in. I am having trouble with the opening of song whether it is the actual beginning or wait for turnaround to go by then begin. Thx. JT

Hi David, continue reading...

I'm sure this question has been asked many times before, so apologies for the repetition... With a bit of fishing I can hit and hold all of the 3 draw bends (A harp). The tone of the 3" is pretty lousy though - sounds rather airy. Is it possible to get a sweet sound out of it? Thanks, Joel.

Hi Dave,

  I had to take a hiatus for a few years due to unforseen circumstqnce.  Missed it a lot.  Feels good to be back.  I was up to LOA 6 at that time.

I decided it would be best to start at LOA 1, and just progress as I did before.  No hurry - just enjoy the journey.    I seem to remember that after completing a level, that it would' unlock' /'open' an artist study song that was appropriate for that level.

How do I get bck to that place for LOA 1 ?

             Thank you for your time continue reading...