Ask Instructor David Barrett

I started to post a question about 2 draw volume problems when studying the song Temperature.  I spent several hours on this problem and could not resolve it.  Before I hit the save button on the forum, I remembered I still haven’t watched the videos with you and Hob or Sharon working on this song. continue reading...

Hi there, im finding learning new licks and memorizing them a real challenge. Can anyone give me any tips on how i can build up harp vocab or point me in the right direction. i've been learning chorus forms, but im getting a little bit bored of playing the same licks. I really can't see myself having lots of licks stored that i can pull out.Does anyone know of any good blues licks books/ebooks, as im eager to learn.

thanks.

Mark

Hello David, 

While im playing i notice there is air leaking from my right mouth corner. I especially notice this when drawing multiple notes. I tried changing my lips and relaxing/tightening them but it doest really seem to work. Could this be caused by the type of harmonica i play (i bought a fender blues one to practice in A but have 2 C harmonicas, a marine band and a suzuki harpmaster) or is it a problem with the way i play?

Regards, 

In the level 3 course titled “Bending study 2 – Expression & Stopping at Bottom” there is a PDF file called “Harmonica Notation Chart [All Keys] PDF.”   I was studying the key layout for the C and A harmonica.  For the A harmonica you have the over draws for holes 7 and 10 listed as C#.  If I follow the pattern for the other key harmonicas it looks like over draws for holes 7 and 10 on the A harmonica should be an A# and not a C#?  I’m assuming I am confused and just need to be put on the right path. continue reading...

On written example 2.1 I'm a bit confused and drawing a blank on what you are looking for in the chart.

Under whole number one I understand that on the four chord the c-note is a 1 blow and the V chord the D note is the one draw but on the one cord the g-note is not a one draw so that's where I'm confused.

Can you "throw me a bone "and clarify a bit?

Thanks

Dave

In the  submission for accompaniment playing study 3 you say "play one chorus per hole of the harmonica, for the first six holes" .

Does a chorus = 12 bars ?

If so, do you want 6 x 12 bars for a total of 72 bars recorded?

Sorry for so many questions

Tom

I just got my result from submitting the Level 1 achievement test.  In the evaluation email there is a link to download an Artist Study for Jerry Portnoy.  As a student who just completed Level 1, how do I use the Jerry Portnoy Artist Study?   I’m not sure if I should just listen and take note of some of the new techniques or should I learn this song?  It seems a little advanced for my limited knowledge. 

Brian

Hey David,

1. On beat four of the first and second bars of the 4th chorus of "Walk With Me," Tongue Blocking Example #1, the notation says 3 blow, but on the recording, it's definitely a 2 blow. Am I correct that this should be renamed as 2+? (The notes are written correctly on the staff.)

  continue reading...

Hey David,

I'm really enjoying learning the harmonica through your superb website. 

Regarding Tongue Blocking Song Example #1, "Walk With Me," the instructions say to use an A harmonica in the 2nd position, but in the written music itself, the first note says Draw 3 underneath a dotted half-note in B. 

Wouldn't that note be the case for a C harmonica, not an A harmonica? 

Just wondering if I misunderstood the exercise or if the notation should be changed either to G# for use with an A harmonica or kept as is but to be played with a C harmonica. continue reading...

Hey David, 

I'm currently wrapping up chorus 4 in the walk with me studysong from tongue blocking study 1. It is going pretty well, however after a bit of playing my spit seems to build up at my mouthcorner on the right side. This on its own is pretty irritating but it also causes that place to be dry and irritated after a bit of playing. 

Is this an issue that more players have, and could you think of any reasons and possible fixes for this?