Learning the Harp: Where to Start!

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

I would add one comment to your very useful and accurate list. Once you have the harp and either a teacher, or a really good teach yourself book, or preferably both... also get a floor length mirror where you can watch yourself play. The mirror can show if your arms are dropping too low or flying too high, you can see if your wrists doing strange things (and they can do some very strange things!), you can check if your feet are flat on the floor or pulling your back out of align (you do not want a bad back)... you can look at yourself full face. or from either side...

[@LearningtheHarp]

That's so true! Thanks for sharing, Susanne :)

[@bettertomorrow2625]

That's an excellent suggestion! Thank you!

[@XxKerryEllxX]

I was nodding my head the whole way through this. when i first started i wanted to rush on and learn tunes etc but then my harp tutor took that on board pretty quickly and slowed me down a bit but also gave me the next challenging step. We practice in a group of 7. All with beautiful harpsicles which we are so lucky to have the opportunity to learn on. It has provided us with 14 new harpist in our area with a great tutor who has been in orchestras in italy most of her life. @celtictwistduo So as i wanted to rush on to do something a bit more challenging she would teach me the melody while others played the one finger harmony. Then i added the other fingers and thumb. We then touched on the usual basics of octaves, triads, split triads, fifths etc and now that i know these type of combinations i can add it to my own playing at home. I am happy to record and share my simple videos of me playing and my family love seeing how happy it is making me and how far i have come. The basics are definately important. i enjoy watching your videos every week. Always happy, cheery and bubbly. see you live tomorrow!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Awesome! I'm so glad you have someone helping you with your harp playing. That's been really important to me in my harp journey too! :) See you tomorrow!!

[@darinsetzer9084]

“Be generous with your positive experiences!” she is so engaging and kind!

[@cliffordeagle3734]

Your charisma and talents are greatly appreciated.

[@denniserrolhawley2762]

ALOHA, Dear Christy-Lyn!!!! In the area where I live (Orem, Utah, in the United States of America), a person who would wish to learn to play a harp would obviously have to find a local teacher. However I regard you as one of the VERY BEST harp teachers anywhere in this entire world!!!!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Thank-you Dennis! :) A local teacher is the first prize, but if you can't find one there is always Skype lessons :)

[@worshipontheharphelenblencowe]

It was difficult for me when I bought my harp, as there are no local harp shops, and the nearest harp maker is 6 hrs drive away. So I bought it without playing it. Luckily, it has a beautiful tone, but unfortunately the levers were awful (I wasn't given a choice, and didn't know then that there are different quality levers). After a year of hardly playing it, I found another harp maker who “happened” to be coming to my area, and he put new levers on my harp, in my home! Now I love it! I definitely agree that, if at all possible, go to a harp shop or maker, and find out as much information as you can beforehand. Also, go for the largest harp you can afford. I have a 31 string, and would love to have a 34 (or larger) string harp.

[@Lewis_the_raider]

I recently got an interest in playing harp, i always liked the sound but never thought of playing it myself. Your videos help a lot! Was thinking about renting before buying, luckily theres a store nearby so i'm going to take a look there soon!

[@LearningtheHarp]

That's wonderful to her, Malceath! Very exciting to actually tackle your dream and look for a harp... wow! Will you look for a local harp teacher? :)

[@Lewis_the_raider]

Christy-Lyn's music - I'm pretty excited as well haha! A while back i was listening to some Omnia songs which inspired me to wanting to play the harp, i love the magical and calm sound of it. I was planning on teaching myself, as i had done the same with drawing & costume making :D I will also be using the book you recommended, and ofcourse watch your videos!

[@LearningtheHarp]

That's awesome!! Is there a harp circle near you where you can get support from other harpists? :)

[@Lewis_the_raider]

Christy-Lyn's music There might be! I'm going to take a lesson next week so i'll ask the teacher about that :)

[@Lewis_the_raider]

Hey again! So I am now learning the harp with in-person guidance of a teacher, and I'm really loving it so far! Here's the harp I have at home: twitter.com/MetalBarghest/status/997206923429675008

[@emiliamurryramey7596]

You mentioned a local harp. If you have a local builder, that is also really helpful if you need work done on the harp. Shipping a harp long distance really adds to the stress (for you) and expense (for you or for your insurance company). Plus it is easier to try out the harp. I don't regret getting a long distance harp, but if I ever get another one....

[@LearningtheHarp]

Such a good point!! We don't have that option around here, but I'm sure that would be SUPER useful!!

[@FrankDudgeon]

I'm just a newbie so please keep that in mind, but I agree with Christy-Lyn that Pamela Bruner's book is excellent. It moves in a step-by-step manner that allows you to achieve those basics mentioned in the video. A couple of other methods I've tried progress a bit too quickly for me, though I'm sure I'll go back to them later. I have Volume 1 of the three book series, and I also purchased the DVD that goes with the first two books. It's a little pricey ($50 USD) but very much worth it. It's quite detailed and really reinforces the lessons. I plan on getting the other two volumes as I progress. Thanks to Christy-Lyn for the inspiring videos and sharing your artistry in such a lovely manner.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Frank. That's so true!! I've also noticed that many other harp books progress too quickly in the beginning, but I really like the way Pamela Bruner lays a solid foundation of technique right from the start. I've never seen the DVD, so I'm glad to hear that you have found it to be useful. Perhaps I should order it so I can know whether to recommend it to my Skype students :)

[@RyokoYaksa]

This is a good, helpful video. I also recommend Pamela Bruner's book series as a self-teaching guide, or even as a home textbook during all the other days you're not getting instruction with a teacher. If you do get the books, the companion DVD set showing explaining the curriculum and showing what the exercises should look and sound like is very much worth it!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Thanks Ryoko, that’s great to hear your perspective! 👍🏻

[@helleneheron1490]

Thank you for your information I have hired my first harp. I have been watching your videos since September. Thank you thankyou thankyou. I love spending time each day playing. I have a right hand injury and it is not easy, but I am able to 'loose' myself practicing. I think I am the only person in my area, I travelled 5hrs to get my harp...I would love lessons but there is no-one near by, so I have my book and my hire harp and just loving it....best decision

[@helleneheron1490]

I am 53 and just learning to play. I have difficulty with my right hand due to injury and cannot make a fist...I have learned the notes as a child and this came back quickly....Thank you

[@SamanthaBallard]

I'm digging your thumbnail for this video haha

[@LearningtheHarp]

Haha, thanks! Experimenting to find a thumbnail style that suits my personality better ;)

[@dignabressers7741]

Very helpful. Thx for the info and the links

[@mrtaylorhelm]

Thanks!

[@NurseJamu]

I would really like to learn how to play the harp. Any pointers on where to start?

[@LearningtheHarp]

That’s exciting that you want to learn the harp!! Did this video answer any of your questions, or do you still have lots of unanswered concerns? 😊

[@1944wingman]

@@LearningtheHarp How do I get to comment here?

[@1944wingman]

OK got it.

[@1944wingman]

I have made two harps now, but am so discouraged even though musicians in my area have seen and heard my harps and commented on how good they look, how well made they are and how nice they sound. There are no harpists around here so there is no point in continuing making more.

[@constancee.4438]

If you have no local harp options where you can try out a harp or rent one, check out Vermont Violins online. They're very friendly and they rent two models of harp, so you can actually try one out. (I'm not compensated for this mention. I did business with them and I'm very happy with them and my harp.)

[@harpandwhiskers6377]

I've been playing the Camac Bardic 27 for a while now and it's starting to get too small. Now i'm in a bit of a decision agony so I'm really looking forward to you putting out a guide on how to find the right harp 😁 But I'm actually sharing my learning process on my channel so check it out if you're interested 💕 Thank you for being so inspirational and simply wonderful!

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

My thought is: what do hope to do? I mean your dream! I have a 30 string harp, and quickly realized I needed more strings. I was fortunate enough to discover that my local symphony has a concert pedal harp, but no one to "look after it", so I go in once a week to keep it in tune, replace broken strings (yeah they break even if no one is playing it), and to play it. This taught me: pedal harps are heavy, and have a LOT of strings to tune and I'm not sure if I will ever really master pedals... so I began looking at bigger lever harps... but now I am playing with a student symphony and using my 30 string lever harp, and wondering if I should get a peal harp or just a bigger lever harp. This is why I think "next harp" choices depend on what you hope and plan to do. I too look forward to Christy-Lyn's response.

[@harpandwhiskers6377]

That might be the main issue really because I don't know what my goals long term are. Right now it's just to have fun, learn to play harp like I've always dreamed of and grow from it. There are so many beautiful harps though it's hard to choose :)

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi there Harp and Whiskers! (by the way that's a cute username :) What is your first name?) Thanks for your comment, it's lovely to hear from you! I will try to work on the harp purchasing guide soon!! By the way, I looked at the videos on your channel and I really like your harp playing - well done for progressing so far in a short time! Are you teaching yourself? Are you following a method book, or how are you learning your technique? :) Oh, and hi Susanne! Nice to hear from you too :) It sounds like you're having some fun with the different harps you can play now! Who knows where you'll end up, but I'm sure it'll be a fun journey! Have you had the opportunity to play a few bigger lever harps to see which one you like?

[@harpandwhiskers6377]

What do you mean, that's my real name 😉 nah, I'm Isabelle from Sweden. How nice of you to check out my videos. I figured a lot of people think they're too old to learn an instrument. My thought on that is oh hell no so I share to maybe inspire some to do the same and follow their dreams 🙃 I'm taking lessons. I find the feedback valuable like you say.

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Hi Christi-Lyn, I have only "met" one other harp, a 34 string lever harp by Salvi. I think it is a discontinued model because I do not see it on their webpages anymore. It has beautiful tone, but its string-tension is MUCH softer than mine (good if one has hand or wrist problems that require a light touch, but not so useful if one is preparing to play a pedal harp which have high string tension where one needs finger strength). I live in a part of the world (Finland) where harps are few and far between and there is no shop in the country which has harps in stock. I'd have to go to London or Paris to test drive harps, and before I'd do that, I want to have: narrowed my choices down to 2 or 3 by having skype or zoom meetings with the shop/luthier to narrow down my choices by listening to the harps I'm interested in.

[@timweiner7990]

Hi Christy! I've had my 12-string folk harp for about 3 days, and want to make sure i have good form very early on, so I want to make sure i'm understanding you right in the video: Are you saying it's best to begin simply by plucking with the index finger and making sure you have good form with that, and then afterwards to add the thumb? From another video of yours that I watched, I had been trying to position all my fingers on the strings. Thank you for your very helpful and charming videos!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Tim! Yes, that's what I usually do with my harp students. Fir the index finger, then add the thumb and start bracketing. Do you have a harp method book to help take you through the process? :)

[@timweiner7990]

I do not, as of yet, but I've only just gotten the harp, so I'm waiting on some things to come in. In lieu of that, though, your videos for beginners have been very helpful. :)

[@angusking1593]

Would starting with a cheap harp be recommended? Like if I get a Lyre harp and if I get into it maybe get something more expensive?

[@jacomiententeije5417]

So encouriging.

[@StyloLive]

Love your accent :)

[@ms863]

- very Necessary

[@qltygrl3187]

You recommend Pamela Bruner’s play the harp beautifully book. Since I only have a 26 string harp (fullsicle), will I be able to play everything in the lesson book?

[@LearningtheHarp]

Yes they will work on your Fullsicle 😊 Just keep in mind, I only recommend book 1; I don’t like the pieces in book 2. Perhaps consider supplementing with Anne Crosby Gaudet’s “Big Adventures Small Harps” book 1A and/or 1B. I love the pieces in those books, especially 1B 😊

[@qltygrl3187]

Learning the Harp with Christy-Lyn! Thank you!! I’ll go check out the other one as well!

[@constancee.4438]

In Book 1, yes. I also have a 26-string harp from Dusty Strings. The lowest note in Book 1 is the C one octave below Middle-C. I'll be on to Book 2 soon -- I'll reply re: that book when I get there.

[@qltygrl3187]

Constance E. Thank you!

[@bettertomorrow2625]

The book you suggested is out of print on Amazon and abebooks doesn't have it either. Any suggestions on where to find it or an alternative book that's also pretty decent? I am doing your course online to get startes off right, but a supplemental book would be great to have, too.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi there! What I’ve seen over time is that people who are teaching themselves do better with video courses than with “teach yourself” method books, so I think you’ll be just fine with the courses and no method book 😊 But I do highly recommend getting an exercise book - my favourite is Grossi Method For Harp. It has very few instructions so it’s definitely not a “teach yourself” method book… So I’ve done a few workshops where I take you through exercises from that book and how to practice them. The workshops are called “Finger Strengthening Exercises” and are available as a replay for 1 credit on my site 😊💕

[@bettertomorrow2625]

@@LearningtheHarp I am going to be using your website to learn good habits. Once my harp arrives, I am signing up for membership. I've already signed up for your free beginner course and will start with that and keep moving forward through the other lessons!

[@dp159840]

Hi Chirsty, I have a quick question for you. I have been playing the harp off and on for about 7 years and currently have a pedal harp. I have been doing some soul searching and have realized that I love to play the harp, but do not want to plays any gigs or join an orchestra.. therefore I do not need a large pedal harp. I was thinking of purchasing a smaller lap harp or maybe a small lever harp, but something that is easily portable as I am in college. My question is what would you suggest would be a good transition harp? One where I have a large enough range to play some of the same pieces but significantly down size the harp? Thank you in advance!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Dani! It sounds like a 34 string lever harp would work well for you, because it has most of the bass notes you are used to having, but much easier to transport. I could make some suggestions, but it depends on what style of music you like, what tone you are more drawn to (brighter or warmer) whether you particularly like higher or lower tension strings. Carbon fiber harps are really lightweight so that could work well, but not everyone likes the tone - they are generally quite bright and strident.

[@dp159840]

Christy-Lyn's music Thank you so much for the quick reply!(: I don’t particularly have a set music style I like, I’ve been taught in Suzuki but I am looking to branch out. I am definitely open to listening to a variety of tones, but I do tend to love the warmer sounding harps. I will definitely take a look at some carbon fiber harps and also ones with 34 strings(:

[@danashelley6627]

@@LearningtheHarp The Harpsicle Brilliant harp is 34 strings, fully levered, and only 15 pounds.

[@fallenslave6684]

If I live in europe and If I buy a harp and maybe Over tine I have to change a string, will I have the posibility to do that?

[@LearningtheHarp]

Yes! You might have to keep some spares - it depends on how far away the closest harp shop is located. My closest harp shop is 16 hours drive away, so I would be able to have harp strings couriered to me if necessary and it would only take a few days. But because I’m a performer I can’t afford to wait that long, so I keep a full set of replacement strings at all times 😊 It’s more difficult if my harp is damaged and needs to be urgently repaired, but even then I can Skype with someone who knows, and get a friend who is good with woodwork etc to help me.

[@LearningtheHarp]

If you have a spare, it is easy to change your own string 👍🏻 I hope you are to go ahead with purchasing a harp! 😊

[@fallenslave6684]

@@LearningtheHarp Thank you sooo much! I really want to. It may bring my child dream. And to bring a smiley to the sisters and brothers from my church! Greetings from Romania!

[@lunadelmar5044]

Plz help me I wanna learning a harp I have one ,I'm renting but I'm looking for somebody teach me is for begging, can you tell me which video is better for me? In your videos

[@fallenslave6684]

Subbed 🤗

[@Steve60638]

I want to learn the harp since i was six. But my parents doesnt want me to play the harp. So i’m planning to learn it independently

[@LearningtheHarp]

That’s a difficult situation ❤️ Why don’t your parents want you to play?

[@Steve60638]

@@LearningtheHarp i don’t even know myself, but this video gives me faith to start on my own :D

[@pamgevelinger2059]

Most can't afford harp teachers as they want $75 for a half hour lesson.

[@gregkosinski2303]

harp, not hop