Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Clean Slapping

5 replies [Last post]
Wed, 11/18/2020 - 16:38
prsnrs
prsnrs's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2020

Greetings. 

I'm trying, unsuccessfully,  to emulate your slaps on Temperature. I can't get the nice, sharp, short slap you play on the MP3 examples. How many holes do you try to typically include on 3-6 hole slaps?

Thanks.

Top
Wed, 11/18/2020 - 17:00
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello prsnrs. It's the same

Hello prsnrs. It's the same as the standard tongue block. So, if you're playing hole 2, then the slap has holes 1 and 2 in it. Playing hole 3, then you have holes 1, 2, and 3 in the slap. Hole 4 you have 1, 2, 3, and 4. Your mouth size stays the same after that up the harmonica (mouth surrounding four holes). Does this help?

Top
Thu, 11/19/2020 - 16:37
#2
prsnrs
prsnrs's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2020
Clean Slapping

Hi Dave

Yes it helps as that's what I've been doing. It's just not a sticatto slap like in your demo and it sounds yucky.

PRSNRS

Top
Fri, 11/20/2020 - 08:00
#3
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Send me a recording of you

Send me a recording of you performing the slap PRSNRS.

Top
Fri, 11/20/2020 - 15:07
#4
prsnrs
prsnrs's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2020
Okay. I'll try. In the

Okay. I'll try.

In the introduction you discussed a mechanism for sending you a private message. What was that address, please?

Thanks.

PRSNRS

Top
Sat, 11/21/2020 - 09:07
#5
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello PRSNRS. Go to a lesson

Hello PRSNRS. Go to a lesson page (like this one https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_1) and go down to Submit Your Recording for Evaluation

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com