Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

Hi David

I have started studying level 3 and was looking at the test requirements. In your notes you say that I should record "Example 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.3 or 2.4" in solo harmonica study 2. This may seem a silly question, but is that any one of those 5 examples or all of 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and one of 2.3 or 2.4?

Many thanks

Simon

printer is out is there any way i can practice a new lesson without printing it out ?? I have ordererd ink

Good morning David,

In TB study 3 (ex. 1.1) I am a little confused in regards to the "PULL" with the BLOW and DRAW chords in the measure. LI understand the pluck on the "and" of 1 for the draw chord, but when it changes to a blow chord on beat 2 of ex. 1.1 how do you pluck a blow chord on the "and" of 2.  Are there blow plucks and draw plucks? The chord on beat 2 calls for some blow technique, doesn't it? Or is it performed identical to the chord in beat one and plucks done the same? Can you straighten my thinking out? Thx.   JT

  continue reading...

What is the percussion UF, UH presented by Mr. Filisko for the exhale? I can translate the text, thank you very much. It's also on the recording of 100 authentic blues harmonica licks, by Steve Cohen.

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...