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beginner forum: for novice and developing blues harp players >
David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass info
David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass info
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SuperBee
4897 posts
Aug 21, 2017
8:10 PM
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a very good player who was once a member here and posted a lot of video of his playing, claimed he had used these books extensively. there is no doubt he was a very strong player and was regularly told by world class players that he should be playing in a band. he did not want to do that which is understandable, that is a commitment that is about a lot more than being able to play well, but nonetheless his playing was of a very high standard and he claimed it was largely from studying with David Barrett books.
i have his Accompaniment and Improvisation books, which David produced fairly recently and has stated he is most proud of. i'll be frank (not Frank, the guy i referred to above)and tell you i haven't used them much but i can tell they are full of solid advice. i have studied a number of David's video lessons and he has taught me quite a lot. His teaching style is not for everybody though. he is quite thorough and the pacing is very even and some may find it rather slow. for me that is the problem with most training other than face to face, but if you learn well with traditional methods no doubt you'll do well.
David is a master at getting the order of presentation correct. so study his lessons in order unless he says it doesnt matter. ive never seen study songs prepared with more care and attention in this regard. each chorus will present a challenge, mastery of which will prepare you to tackle the next challenge.
i have known people to say they don't like learning his 'study song' material, because they want to study well-known songs. i think that's fair enough, but it also misses the point. David's methods will equip you to learn the classics, and compose your own.
one caveat though, some of this series may be quite old and its quite possible David has later material which may supersede some of it. he is prolific.
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Rontana
430 posts
Aug 22, 2017
6:13 AM
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It's been my understanding that the Barrett courses emphasize a 100% tongue-blocking technique.
Just something to keep in mind if you're a lip purser, or prefer a combination of various techniques (that's why I've steered clear, but he is without doubt very knowledgeable and accomplished. To each his own).
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SuperBee
4901 posts
Aug 24, 2017
1:25 AM
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That's true for much of the material on his paysite, but I'm not sure if it's the case for the books. I've only a few, and 2 of those I think don't really get into the subject of embouchure at all. I'm not sure about the other; too long since I looked at it
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Sundancer
151 posts
Aug 27, 2017
1:40 PM
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I've got Barrett's "Improvising Blues Harmonica" - Which I mostly use as an adjunct to learning songs, and it is useful for that. It is especially good for making ya learn 12-bar patterns where ya move all over the harp incorporating loads of bending. Tongue blocking isn't explicitly mentioned, but many of the riffs require playing octaves. Fair play to that. All in all, I'd say doing the exercises in the book will help ya get better.
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Mirco
533 posts
Aug 31, 2017
5:04 PM
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My #1 suggestion would be to test drive the bluesharmonica.com website. It's Dave Barrett's website. If you proceed through the material on the site, it covers the material in the books and more. You'll also have the benefit of hearing and seeing Dave's explanations and playing on video.
You might decide that you like Dave's way of explaining, but you don't want to pay a monthly subscription fee. In that case, get the books.
You might decide that his method of explaining is not for you. In that case, good. You've saved yourself on buying a lot of books that you probably wouldn't learn from (because the material and explanations are similar, coming from the same dude).
Dave Barrett is a rock solid player and an excellent teacher (as Gussow says, he's the "reference standard" when it comes to harp instruction).
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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