Coordinating two hands, contrary motion, and practicing - Harp Tuesday ep. 110

[@davidcabral657]

You are a brilliant teacher and you totally understand what it's like to be a beginner in a way other teachers don't or have forgotten. Thank you so much.

[@JoshLayne]

Wow, thanks David! Appreciate it :)

[@wendyrezzonico4441]

Thank you so very much for your lessons. I have been using many of them since I took up the Celtic harp. They are a Godsend. Though I have been a musician for sixty years, the harp is in a league of its own. It's such a joy. I love how clearly you explain and demonstrate things..and your enthusiastic, warm and cheerful presence that is so encouraging.

[@JoshLayne]

Hi Wendy, thanks so much! Glad to hear they've been so useful!

[@mmarez9084]

Thank you very much for this video. I have never thought about my right and left hand as a single unit. That framing really helped my focus.

[@suzanne5781]

Fabulous thank you his is so helpful!

[@jesenko6]

Very helpful Josh - thank you again for another great tip !

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks Elizabeth!

[@eightfingeredhand6112]

The timing of my discovery of this video makes me believe in 'pronoia' - the belief that the Universe is conspiring FOR me. The fact that I might even be able to get one-to-one skype lessons from you is another reason for that belief! Will be in touch shortly. Btw, your recent performance of the Toccata for lever harp was spine-tingling!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks!

[@lynntouchette4520]

Thank you so much for this video! As a first year student, one of my biggest challenges is getting my hands (and brain) to coordinate. I will try to do more of this technique in my practices.

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks!

[@arlenedelahenty6556]

Thankyou Josh for all your thoughtful and considerate videos that you have presented in such a friendly way. :-)They have helped me immensely in all areas of playing , peforming, and this one now with recording.

[@JoshLayne]

Awesome, that's great to hear, thanks Arlene!

[@Tesserain]

Hey Josh , I had a quick question about housing harps. do you keep a humidifier in the room with your harp?

[@JoshLayne]

I do have a humidifier which I use during the winter. Here's an article that might be helpful: swansonharp.com/articles/HARP-MAINTENANCE.html

[@reginaclarke1574]

This is so very helpful. But I wonder--how long does it take to create a flow with both hands? I am an adult learning the harp and I see little ones doing it at age six--I have had lessons over a year and a half twice a month--by now shouldn't there be more facility? Also, when I watch your videos, I can't tell--are you looking at the strings or both hands at once or maybe don't have to do either? I ask because it seems to me I cannot fluently put both hands together without somehow knowing where both hands are, so I stop to place, to be sure. Makes for a choppy result. I have watched your videos since 2016. They are wonderful.

[@Secrent]

I am an older adult as well, at a bit beyond advanced beginner, and my left hand still doesn't always do what I want it to. The disconnect for me is partly still not being able to read the bass clef notes well, try as I may. I don't think I have musical dyslexia which is a real problem for many people learning to read music & play any instrument. But then, sometimes I think I do to some degree as it is all so easy, but frustratingly hard to get the notes in my head and be able to read them and play. I can memorize songs and play both hands fairly well. So, maybe I just need to really bone up and study more, and keep hitting the flash cards. Anyway, interesting article about how difficult it is for some people to learn to read music. medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-evidence-musical-dyslexia.html

[@Secrent]

Excellent....very helpful!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks, good to hear!

[@edenkizer9183]

Hi Josh, I'm a new harp student and love the way you explain things. I'm totally blind so videos can bea little tricky although you do seem to explain very well. I would love to take lessons with you Wrote but never heard back.

[@danielzanatta7798]

On contrary motion and coordination: soundcloud.com/daniel-zanatta-862227073/4-harpa-la-nuit-et-ses-mysteres-daniel-zanatta

[@JoshLayne]

Hah, very cool!

[@Meltiqueful]

this is awesome!!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks Amelia :)