Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi, I am studying the first song Walk with me.

I have a problem regarding the beginning of the 2nd Chorus (and basically all 1 Draws)

When I draw the first hole for three clicks, then blow 2 for only one click and then again 1 draw for 4 clicks I happen to be unable to draw in more air. My lungs are full, sometimes even when I am even starting the second 1 draw.

I am learning at 70 clicks per minute - maybe thats too slow? continue reading...

Hello Dave,

   I am practicing the Rhythms in Level 1 of your courses using single holes (2Draw or 4Blow) to go through the various rhythms that you have provided. Should I be using different articulations on blows and draws for say quarter, eights, triplets and sixteenth notes? if so, what are the articulations for these different grouping of notes? Thanks, JT

Hi David,

Just a thought, but would you think it a good idea if we had a search engine on this site, then we could input a question relative to this site and hopefully get an answer, although I'm not technically mined I dont know hard difficult this would be.

On the same theme, for the section re New lessons, do you think it would be a good idea to put the lessons in order from level one through 10, again to make lessons easier to find and not inadvertantly miss anything.

Just a couple of suggestions, I hope you dont mind.

Thankyou and kind regards

Paul

I bought an Marine Band A harmonica in December.  Been playing it fairly regularly.  Now the 5 blow (C#) won't work.  I tried carefully and thouroughly cleaning it out with the end of a small paper clip.  It did not work.  I can get the inhale note on hole 5 (D) just fine.  I also tried to take apart the harmonica.  I used a tiny screwdriver typically used to repair glasses.  But it was too big.  So I could not take the harmonica apart.  What do you suggest that I do now?

Hello David

Could you explain how to play a G7 lick(holes 1thru4)for the one chord, then going up to hole #4blow to turn same lick into a C7 lick? This confuses me? The lick may sound higher(???)and rhytum and interval structure are the same(???)but isn't the melody DIFFERENT? What am I missing here? Could you explain alittle in detail? Thx for what you do! John

Hi David,

I think i'm correct, but the licks from this song are staraight 8th's, so I'm trying to use these licks and improvise over The Strut jam track, but cant seem to make it work. Is there a reason for this and is there anything I can do to make these licks work.

Also, whilst writing, as well as loving the blues, boogies and shuffles, i'm into blues rock and rock music. Now on this site I'm learning some brilliant licks which in the main are for the 12 bar blues. How can I use these licks for non 12 bar blues for rock and blues rock improvisation. continue reading...

Hi David, just wondering if you've got any lessons on playing guitar and harp at the same time . I've bought myself a rack as i play fingerstle acoustic blues and want to add harp when im out busking. Could you point me in the right direction please? Thanks very much.

Mark

Hi Dave....When you FIRST put your tongue on the harmonica to get a single note tongue blocking, where should your tongue be placed. I understand not directly over the holes, but maybe just below the holes or little below the holes touching top cover plate or little below the cover plate?  The question is: What is the feeling and LOCATION of your tongue when you FIRST make contact with your harp? Thx, John

Why are you playing on a A harmonica and have your musical notation in C? That doesn't make sense to me. You can't really see what you are doing so you have to play by ear, what's the use of playing on an A harmonica and not use the right musical notation?

struggling so much with 2 draw, then I read a student post to pinch your nose and try it - PERFECT! So now need to do it without pinching my nose (or wear my swimming nose clip)