The next "Harp Beginnings" starts around the corner on February 4th, and even sooner, you can join our free training "Beat Beginner Frustrations" on Jaunary 25th ( geni.us/BBF_RUclips )! We look forward to having you join us!!
As a left hander I experienced some difficulty in the first few months since my strongest hand was not playing the melody but bass and the accompaniment was simple, compared to melody line. However as I've progressed my dexterity with both hands has evened out, because I can play a few arrangements which use chord "runs" in either bass or melody or both.( I've had no formal music training except LTH courses.I taught myself the first 8 months to play 3 pieces by ear as I had no music & no harp teachers nearby. Hardly anyone I talk to has ever heard a solo harp live before either Downunder. I found LTH when I desired to improve and grow and started watching professional harpists on line- very daunting, but I was hooked. LTH is a godsend ❤
I'm 68 and started out slowly playing the harp as a senior learner with no musical background. Christy-Lyn's "Learning the Harp" website and tutorials are, in my opinion, exceptionally well done. I started on a Fullsicle, made by Harpsicle, with 26 strings. I rented it through Vermont Violins. I enjoyed it so much I bought a Salvi Titan 38 string. Cost is always a factor. My husband arranged our budget to allow us to pay monthly. Though I can't really justify the purchase - I'm not going to make money as a harpist - but it is an enjoyable activity and it keeps my arthritic hands nibble. The tutorials are excellent and I recommend taking advantage of the trial offer "after" you rent a harp - it can take a few weeks to receive your harp. I think it's worth it.
It's great to hear from you, Rebecca 🤗 I'm so glad it's felt like a worthwhile purchase! There's definitely an incredible return on investing in the harp, even if it's not always a financial one! 😃
Thank you for making this video, Carrie! It was nice to see your whole person! (you know what I mean, we only see the top half of you on video courses!) and nice to see your husband! I've heard a lot about pickleball, especially from friends in Hawaii - looks fun and thank you for telling us about your new hobby! I love your video courses at Learning the Harp - you play beautifully and teach the courses very well!
Thanks Cassie! That's so funny you say that - one of our video editors Tia said the same thing when she was editing this video - she was shocked to see that I actually had legs!🤣 That's how it goes working remotely 👩💻 I definitely recommend pickleball if you have a chance to try it🤗 Thanks for your kind words! ❤
As a harp player myself I have this to say: Learning the harp is by no means difficult, but I wouldn't call it easy either. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. The main thing, other then good technique, is making getting your fingers acquaint with plucking the string. Playing the harp loudly and clearly takes strength and stamina, something you build up by practicing a lot. Playing too much can indeed be harmful to your fingers, so never overdo it. Don't be intimidated by this because I promise playing the harp is a lot of fun, no matter what kind of music you might play on it!
I've been wanting to learn the harp since I was a little kid, but I've been scared to take the leap in case I don’t stick with it (I live rurally, and there are no teachers, and I would have to buy one straight up). In the meantime, I watch these videos to get my harp fix. ❤
I learned exclusively from video courses for the first year of my harp journey due to covid restrictions at the time. I managed to reach a late intermediate level by following the instructions in the courses as thoroughly as I could. If you really want to learn the harp, don't let your doubts hold you back! It's doable!
I’m in precisely the same boat. And I don’t have any money of my own, but I can make rag dolls from scrap fabric and my plan now is to start selling them as much as I can until I save enough for a harp (could be a lot of rag dolls! 🤣)
@@LearningtheHarp well, the notes get once tuned before playing. Not possible to.play the wrong intonation or the wrong key. thats already a lot compatef to the violin. and: you play one note with one single hand/finger, so concentration this one. at the violin, the note is produced with both hands, intonation/vibrato left, sound/loudness/intensity/length with the right hand/bow. You play a note once on harp, on violin you can change/hold/shorten/stretch...the note until the next...sorry, my english is not good enough to explain perfectly....
It's easier playing than carrying a harp 😂 - joke aside, I think learning an instrument is like learning languages: you need to invest your time and it's really rewarding at any level or stage. Thanks for your great video lessons!
If you want to feel confused, try the harp after playing fingerstyle guitar for years. On guitar the thumb plays the low notes, so everything is backwards your fingers will naturally start scales and arpeggios at the wrong end. I actually tried playing the harp sitting at the wrong end and found it easier, but it makes it hard to reach the high notes and the levers are on the wrong side... I plan to learn it the normal way, but it was an interesting experiment.
Starting on either is fine! It often comes down to the affordability of pedal harps, since they tend to be much more expensive. But if you're able to make that investment, I say go for it and get started on a pedal harp! 🤗
Harp is easy to pick up and play simple songs and make it sound good, but the more you go along and start learning more difficult pieces where you have to learn more about coordinating the hands, then it does get more difficult. I admit I'm getting better at technique, but I am one of those "eager beavers". I probably should have someone check me to make sure I'm not developing bad habits.
You're definitely right - just like any skill, you challenge your abilities the more you progress! We have resources on our website if you would like some feedback on your playing 💚www.learningtheharp.com/shop/feedback-videos/
The next "Harp Beginnings" starts around the corner on February 4th, and even sooner, you can join our free training "Beat Beginner Frustrations" on Jaunary 25th ( geni.us/BBF_RUclips )! We look forward to having you join us!!
As a left hander I experienced some difficulty in the first few months since my strongest hand was not playing the melody but bass and the accompaniment was simple, compared to melody line. However as I've progressed my dexterity with both hands has evened out, because I can play a few arrangements which use chord "runs" in either bass or melody or both.( I've had no formal music training except LTH courses.I taught myself the first 8 months to play 3 pieces by ear as I had no music & no harp teachers nearby. Hardly anyone I talk to has ever heard a solo harp live before either Downunder. I found LTH when I desired to improve and grow and started watching professional harpists on line- very daunting, but I was hooked. LTH is a godsend ❤
That's amazing! Well done on persevering through those difficult times in the beginning - that's really inspiring! 💚 --Carrie
I'm 68 and started out slowly playing the harp as a senior learner with no musical background. Christy-Lyn's "Learning the Harp" website and tutorials are, in my opinion, exceptionally well done.
I started on a Fullsicle, made by Harpsicle, with 26 strings. I rented it through Vermont Violins. I enjoyed it so much I bought a Salvi Titan 38 string.
Cost is always a factor. My husband arranged our budget to allow us to pay monthly. Though I can't really justify the purchase - I'm not going to make money as a harpist - but it is an enjoyable activity and it keeps my arthritic hands nibble.
The tutorials are excellent and I recommend taking advantage of the trial offer "after" you rent a harp - it can take a few weeks to receive your harp. I think it's worth it.
It's great to hear from you, Rebecca 🤗 I'm so glad it's felt like a worthwhile purchase! There's definitely an incredible return on investing in the harp, even if it's not always a financial one! 😃
Thank you for making this video, Carrie! It was nice to see your whole person! (you know what I mean, we only see the top half of you on video courses!) and nice to see your husband! I've heard a lot about pickleball, especially from friends in Hawaii - looks fun and thank you for telling us about your new hobby! I love your video courses at Learning the Harp - you play beautifully and teach the courses very well!
Thanks Cassie! That's so funny you say that - one of our video editors Tia said the same thing when she was editing this video - she was shocked to see that I actually had legs!🤣 That's how it goes working remotely 👩💻 I definitely recommend pickleball if you have a chance to try it🤗 Thanks for your kind words! ❤
As a harp player myself I have this to say:
Learning the harp is by no means difficult, but I wouldn't call it easy either. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
The main thing, other then good technique, is making getting your fingers acquaint with plucking the string.
Playing the harp loudly and clearly takes strength and stamina, something you build up by practicing a lot.
Playing too much can indeed be harmful to your fingers, so never overdo it.
Don't be intimidated by this because I promise playing the harp is a lot of fun, no matter what kind of music you might play on it!
I think that's great advice! 💚 -Carrie
I've been wanting to learn the harp since I was a little kid, but I've been scared to take the leap in case I don’t stick with it (I live rurally, and there are no teachers, and I would have to buy one straight up). In the meantime, I watch these videos to get my harp fix. ❤
I learned exclusively from video courses for the first year of my harp journey due to covid restrictions at the time. I managed to reach a late intermediate level by following the instructions in the courses as thoroughly as I could. If you really want to learn the harp, don't let your doubts hold you back! It's doable!
I’m in precisely the same boat.
And I don’t have any money of my own, but I can make rag dolls from scrap fabric and my plan now is to start selling them as much as I can until I save enough for a harp (could be a lot of rag dolls! 🤣)
I hope one day you're able to try it for yourself! 💚 --Carrie
@@sorelyanlie2784 I'm wishing you lots of luck!
@@kathilisi3019 Can I ask what harp you used? And if it was a full lever harp or lap harp?
Great video good job!
It is absolutely hard to play harp, but it can be easy for some folks if they practice and sing to the music a lot. 😇💛🎼
as a violon player and harp beginner i can tell, playing harp is a lot easyer than playing the violin ;-)
In your opinion what makes it feel easier? 😃
@@LearningtheHarp well, the notes get once tuned before playing. Not possible to.play the wrong intonation or the wrong key. thats already a lot compatef to the violin. and: you play one note with one single hand/finger, so concentration this one. at the violin, the note is produced with both hands, intonation/vibrato left, sound/loudness/intensity/length with the right hand/bow. You play a note once on harp, on violin you can change/hold/shorten/stretch...the note until the next...sorry, my english is not good enough to explain perfectly....
No, that was a good explanation. @@antje9069
@@antje9069 That totally makes sense - it certainly makes the harp a beginner-friendly instrument when even wrong notes sound beautiful! 🤩
I grew up playing the piano. Harp is easier, especially a lever harp - and a lot of fun!
It's easier playing than carrying a harp 😂 - joke aside, I think learning an instrument is like learning languages: you need to invest your time and it's really rewarding at any level or stage. Thanks for your great video lessons!
LOL 😆 you're so right - learning music really is like learning a new language! Thanks for your comment 💚 --Carrie
Thank you for sharing idol 😊😊😊
If you want to feel confused, try the harp after playing fingerstyle guitar for years. On guitar the thumb plays the low notes, so everything is backwards your fingers will naturally start scales and arpeggios at the wrong end. I actually tried playing the harp sitting at the wrong end and found it easier, but it makes it hard to reach the high notes and the levers are on the wrong side... I plan to learn it the normal way, but it was an interesting experiment.
I'm sure that's quite an adjustment to learn the harp! But hey, it's a good challenge for the brain 😃
Do you suggest pedal harp or lever harp for a beginner who eventually wants to learn pedal harp?
Starting on either is fine! It often comes down to the affordability of pedal harps, since they tend to be much more expensive. But if you're able to make that investment, I say go for it and get started on a pedal harp! 🤗
Be inspired and keep ,looking up
Harp is easy to pick up and play simple songs and make it sound good, but the more you go along and start learning more difficult pieces where you have to learn more about coordinating the hands, then it does get more difficult. I admit I'm getting better at technique, but I am one of those "eager beavers". I probably should have someone check me to make sure I'm not developing bad habits.
You're definitely right - just like any skill, you challenge your abilities the more you progress! We have resources on our website if you would like some feedback on your playing 💚www.learningtheharp.com/shop/feedback-videos/
Coming from the guitar, there’s only one answer: EASY!
All excellent points! By the way, has CL had her baby?
Yes she has! She had her baby in May. They are both doing well! ❤🤗
@@LearningtheHarp 👶🥰
@@LearningtheHarp A bit earlier than expected... well, the baby wanted to listen to the harp as soon as possible 😀Congrats from Japan! 👶
Can you you go here in our country?
How i wish
We will meet in personal..