One thing that helped so much I did oh so many years ago when I started with an incredible teacher in the Phoenix/Mesa/Tempe/Scottsdale area was getting my palm all muscular which I didnt even know was possible (feel the lower part of the palm of a harpist as they flex it. Its unbelievably hard and thick. She wanted me to not think of it as ever plucking a string but placing my finger and snapping my finger into the palm. She had me keep my fingers straight and snap them against my other hand or the edge of my desk while at school and slowly but surely I got that tuft of muscle on my lower palm and I could snap any finger or thumb into my palm as loudly as a crack of thunder. It wasn't till my palm had some muscle in it that I could actually isolate my fingers with no problem.
This was so helpful to me just starting out. I want to make sure I have hand positioning down pat. I have learned as few beginner pieces but want exercises like this to do in between practicing music.
Thank you so much for your most helpful lessons! You address all the issues that a harpist faces, especially upon beginning! You are a wonderful resource!
Josh...I have been sitting here for about 30 min.....trying to get my #3 finger to move independently while 4, 2 and 1 are on the strings....It got to the point where I was holding my RH 4 finger down with my left hand because it kept flying off with #3! I am happy to say that my brain finally let me play my 3 alone without too much trouble, but I fear I will have to repeat this exercise often! It really helps to open up your hand between your thumb and #2 finger and create that extra space :)
wow, thank you! your lesson has helped me a lot by larning a harp piece that was a bit to difficult for me. Now i feel much more secure with the fingers on the strings by doing this kind of chords! 😀💪🏼👍
Thanks for posting these beautiful tutorials. I have covered some parts of the Betty Paret's First Harp Book with my teacher but I was never as careful as you are showing it. I probably need to go back and do the exercises again and carefully this time. Thanks again and I love your videos. -Eby
@afrofreetv I've never personally played on a harpsicle so I can't tell you how they sound, etc. I have heard good things about them - in particular that they are great travel harps. Not having a full set of levers (flatsicle) is definitely a drawback. You can do a lot with just the three levers, but you will eventually feel a need to have all 7. (Of course, maybe at the point maybe you could sell it and upgrade?) Glad you're enjoying the videos, and good look in your quest for a harp :)
Do you mean during the melody or at the end of the music ? If your talking about the end of the music it's to stop the sound and end the music more abruptly, they can also do it during the melody to have a sharp note without the lingering sound. I don't know if it answers your question, but I tried :)
One thing that helped so much I did oh so many years ago when I started with an incredible teacher in the Phoenix/Mesa/Tempe/Scottsdale area was getting my palm all muscular which I didnt even know was possible (feel the lower part of the palm of a harpist as they flex it. Its unbelievably hard and thick. She wanted me to not think of it as ever plucking a string but placing my finger and snapping my finger into the palm. She had me keep my fingers straight and snap them against my other hand or the edge of my desk while at school and slowly but surely I got that tuft of muscle on my lower palm and I could snap any finger or thumb into my palm as loudly as a crack of thunder. It wasn't till my palm had some muscle in it that I could actually isolate my fingers with no problem.
Very helpful tutorial to help me play chords better and improve my finger independence.
Thanks, good to hear!
This was so helpful to me just starting out. I want to make sure I have hand positioning down pat. I have learned as few beginner pieces but want exercises like this to do in between practicing music.
Thank you so much for your most helpful lessons! You address all the issues that a harpist faces, especially upon beginning! You are a wonderful resource!
Josh...I have been sitting here for about 30 min.....trying to get my #3 finger to move independently while 4, 2 and 1 are on the strings....It got to the point where I was holding my RH 4 finger down with my left hand because it kept flying off with #3! I am happy to say that my brain finally let me play my 3 alone without too much trouble, but I fear I will have to repeat this exercise often! It really helps to open up your hand between your thumb and #2 finger and create that extra space :)
All of your videos are just lovely, and these instructional videos are very thorough and helpful!
wow, thank you! your lesson has helped me a lot by larning a harp piece that was a bit to difficult for me. Now i feel much more secure with the fingers on the strings by doing this kind of chords! 😀💪🏼👍
Hi Sarah, hah, wonderful! Good to hear :)
Thanks for posting these beautiful tutorials. I have covered some parts of the Betty Paret's First Harp Book with my teacher but I was never as careful as you are showing it. I probably need to go back and do the exercises again and carefully this time. Thanks again and I love your videos.
-Eby
@afrofreetv I've never personally played on a harpsicle so I can't tell you how they sound, etc. I have heard good things about them - in particular that they are great travel harps. Not having a full set of levers (flatsicle) is definitely a drawback. You can do a lot with just the three levers, but you will eventually feel a need to have all 7. (Of course, maybe at the point maybe you could sell it and upgrade?) Glad you're enjoying the videos, and good look in your quest for a harp :)
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos :)
Thanks for your lessons
Thanks a lot sir
Thank You
This is the best video yet!
Thanks!
Thanks Josh!
Thanks :)
This is great! Thank you!
The Silver Branch NH Thanks!
why do harpist touching their harp string right after each play ?
Do you mean during the melody or at the end of the music ? If your talking about the end of the music it's to stop the sound and end the music more abruptly, they can also do it during the melody to have a sharp note without the lingering sound.
I don't know if it answers your question, but I tried :)
Minuto bom