Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi, David. I've been working on AS4, example 2.3 for about two weeks. My result is that I can easily distinguish between playing along with the vocals and playing without the vocals and adjusting my volume accordingly, which I believe was the principal lesson of 2.3. However, improvising and playing on the fly is still a challenge. I understand the concepts but the execution is rough. continue reading...

Hello David,

When your trying to do 2note combinactions , say 4&5D 4 being the bottom most note, do you use your tongue to cover holes 123D holes or just holes 2&3D and then "smirk" to include hole 5D. Then when you move up the harmonica to combos 56D and 5draw being lower note, do you tongue 23&4D and then "smirk" to get holes 5&6D or do you just tongue 3&4D and leave out the 2D to the left. I guess what I am trying to say is do you use your tongue  to cover 3 holes to left mainly and not two in regards to 2note combination? Thx. John

Hello David!

I'm really enjoying the clases and everything else you got here! It's been a week and I already reach the first chorus of walk with me (kind of reach... Hehehe).

Anyway, I have 2 questions: 1) the only difference between a tremolo and a Vibrato is the pitch change? If so we are taking about different techniques, am I right? continue reading...

Hi David,

Thank you for great lessons 

I am working hard on walk with me study 1

but for diversity i am starting also Solo Harmonica Study 1.

On Articulation options video the first 2 minutes apro.

i didnt understand completly how to practice it with Metronom

Can you please advice

Thank you,

Moran bar 

hello david, I'm looking for Big Walter notes, easy and boogie song, you have them available, thank you

Hi David,

Another question on Rock, Blues Rock Harmonica. I'm trying to figure out a practice schedule for this type of genre of music. I think I should include :

• 3rd Position
• 1st Position
• 2nd position
• overblows
• Double stops, articulations etc........

Can you think of anything else I should include in my practice list.

Thank you for your help

Regards,

Paul

Hi David. 

Why tones that are not on the blues scale are played in blues songs. Thanks.

Hi David,

When I try and tap my foot to the drum beat on snake oil, I get totally lost which means by bar 3 my timing is totally out. Can you help me please.

Kind Regards,

Paul

David....I might be asking a silly question, but what is the difference between the 2 techniques, the "Lift and The Pull? They have different names of course, but don't they provide pretty much the same function in the music and that is to provide a "Backbeat" on quarter notes? Also, is one favored over the other? Thx, John

I failed the Level 2 Achievement exercises because I was out of time.  I listened to my recording a half dozen times before I submitted it and thought everything was good.  After I read your review, I was puzzled and could not hear the errors.  I ended up loading the mp3 into Audacity ware I could see that I was playing at least a half beat behind the metronome ticks.  continue reading...