How Learn to Play Harp

Learn to play the harp beautifully !

How to improve your emotional and physical condition ? It is never too late to learn the harp! Elena currently has students ranging in age from 6 to 72 and is always willing to accept students no matter what their personal limitations.

Some first questions

What should I do first, once I've decided to learn playing the harp?

The very first thing to do is to find a good harp teacher.

Must a harp student study the piano for a couple of years before taking Harp , Piano Lessons ?

It is helpful if all instrumentalists have a basic keyboard background. A lot of harpists feel that a beginning student harpist needs to learn basic note reading and theory on the piano before tackling the mechanics of good hand position and tone production on the harp (which must be taught from the beginning no matter the age.

How to Play the Harp

originated by:Anonymous, Sondra C, AutisticMajor, Harpergirl717 (see all)
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The Harp is a beautiful instrument, one that many people admire, but fear they will never be able to play. The truth is it can be simple and rewarding with just a little bit of hard work and knowledge.

It is never too late to start learning the harp! There are beginners of all ages and backgrounds that find great joy in harp playing.

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Steps
1
Obtain a harp. Harps can be expensive. If you aren't sure, invest in a smaller lever harp. With less strings, this will allow you to get a feel for the instrument without spending an immense amount of money or having to deal with pedals/foot movements. Many simple songs can be played on the lever harp, but it does have some limitations. A harp is a big investment. It is wise to have a trusted harpist or experienced musician with you when you purchase one to make sure it is good quality. You can also rent harps.
2
Tune your harp. If you have not acquired a strong ear for music, that is alright, you can use an electric tuner. There are different ways of tuning your lever harp to play different keys. Tuning all strings neutral will place you in the key of C Major and is the easiest key to start out on.
3
Take a look at the strings. The red strings are Cs, the black or blue strings are Fs.
4
Pull the harp onto your right shoulder. You should be seated so that your arms are a little below 90 degrees angle with your body, parallel with the floor and in the middle of the strings.
5
On pedal harps, all pedals in the middle position is C major. On a lever harp, it will depend on how you have tuned it.
6
Raising the lever will raise the note to a sharp. Raising a pedal will drop the note to a flat and lowering the pedal will raise the note to a sharp.
7
There is a certain hand position and way to "pluck" the strings that really should be learned from a teacher as to avoid any injuries to your hands and wrists
8
Do NOT use your nails. Nails must be extremely short! You must use the pad of your fingers.
9
All fingers and thumb can be used except for the little finger.

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Tips
To find a harp teacher, look around, and ask people you know. You may try a local or neighboring college or orchestra to find a name of a professional harpist near you. You can also search harpist websites listing teachers in the area.
Check out a CD with harp music on it or attend an Orchestra concert and keep your eyes on the harp! Watching and listening are great ways to get acquainted with the instrument.

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Warnings
Once people know you can play the harp, they may ask for performances quite often.
Ask your teacher about proper care and maintenance of your instrument.
Poor hand position or posture may result in an injury-start with good habits by learning from a professional harp teacher.

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Things You'll Need
A harp
Harp tuner
Adjustable Bench
Free time
A teacher

Elena Katygorokh - vocal, piano, harp teacher

For all other enquiries, including weddings functions, performances, harp play , please e-mail Elena on

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