4 simple (but often overlooked) tips to level up your Harp playing (Student Feedback)

[@jeannedarc1566]

Thank you, Silvia, for sharing your playing. These tips are useful for many of us and it is very kind of you to share your playing so that we can all learn. All the best for your continued learning!

[@silviavioletbalbo]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@lincorrie5894]

Thank you so much for these tips. New to the harp but advanced in years, my fingers are somewhat "knotted" so I find I need to modify hand and finger shaping sometimes. These snippets really help me practice the best shaping i can achieve. Absolutely love my harp and enjoy every minute spent practising. Plus my fingers are becoming straighter and more mobile the more I play ❤ xx

[@LearningtheHarp]

That is wonderful to hear! 😃♥

[@robinmarwick1982]

I've been a classical guitar player and part time teacher for many, many years and have recently started learning to play the harp. May I say what a magnificent gift you have for teaching. In my early years of learning, my teachers seemed to focus on the humiliation and abuse techniques. It would have been nice to have a teacher with your qualities. This is a really helpful video...thanks.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Robin, I'm so sorry you had such a negative experience with some teachers - I would have found it very hard to thrive in a learning environment like that! But I'm so happy to hear that you've started learning the harp, that's so exciting ♥I've always thought classical guitar and harp sound so beautiful played together! Thanks for your kind words 🤗 --Carrie

[@MrsHoeg]

I love these videos!!!!!!! Please keep them up because they are SO encouraging!

[@LearningtheHarp]

So glad to hear you're enjoying them, Emy!! Thanks for your lovely feedback 🤗 --Carrie ♥

[@keepitthatway4273]

I found that Silvia did it very nicely; beautiful sound and nice fingering movement. But Carrie could still see some tips that helped improve the student’s development. That’s great teaching. ❤

[@suetalley8739]

Excellent advice!! We all need to be reminded. Thank you for these good tips, so graciously given! Good job, Sylvia!!

[@chantal2049]

Hi Carrie, thanks so much for the tips and the excercise! Although I 'know' the things you are saying, it's always good to hear and see it again. I must admit that after week two of unlocking sheet music I almost soly think in intervals😅

[@jeannieb.]

Hi Carrie, this was so helpful! I do the same thing. I have trouble floating off, not only because it requires a certain timing to get back on the strings on time, but also, as hard as I've tried, I just don't look graceful doing it.😂 I've never been a particularly graceful person, and wondering if this is going to be a problem with harp playing. Great placing tip, by the way! Going to practice that!😊 You give AWESOME encouragement Carrie!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Jeannie! I get that -- if you're not used to floating off the strings it will likely feel very awkward at first, but think of it as a time to let your hands and fingers completely relax! 😃Start by tracing the shape of half of a heart, and only go as far as you have time to get back on the strings 👍🏼 you got this! --Carrie

[@lindafitak]

That mitten tip really helps me a lot! I think I have been closing my fingers too much into my hand, because when I need to stretch the fourth finger out to play a much lower not than the ones I’ve even playing, I can’t seem to get there. The strange thing is, when I do the right hand alone, without the left accompaniment, i have no problem. It’s when I have to synchronize the two hands that I run into a problem. I’m referring to the piece “Inisheer”, which has been giving me trouble with that.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hey Linda! Glad that mitten analogy helped 🤗 I would suggest practicing with a combination of hands separately, focusing on keep your fingers out and relaxed and then gradually putting hands together! Just to give your hands some individual attention while you get more used to making it a habit😃 --Carrie

[@lindafitak]

@@LearningtheHarp Great direction, Carrie! Yes, that’s what I’m doing. I’ve started your course “The Parting Glass” now, which I think will give me less trouble, and will probably prepare me for challenges with Inisheer.

[@purdy_burdy1055]

I have been playing cello for about 7 years now, and it is honestly really surprising just how similar relaxed playing for a harp is compared to a cello, especially the rule that you should keep your fingers moderately extended instead of tucking them in. I have had an inkling of interest in the harp for a while now, but this channel has given me a special place in my heart for the harp. Beautiful instrument! Great playing and tips!

[@LearningtheHarp]

That is fascinating to hear about the similarities to cello! 😃

[@TaisiaDanilova]

I’ve never heard about squeezing strings before. I’ll try it, thanks!

[@LearningtheHarp]

It really makes a big difference in the sound! 😃 Have you gotten a chance to try it? --Carrie

[@susanscott5118]

Thankyou for the helpful hints 😊I've been playing also for a year . Please keep this upbeat positive instruction . It helps !!!😊😊

[@catholicdoula]

Love your tips!

[@susanhabegger3447]

Thanks for sharing about lifting off. I see you do it but never heard it talked about.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Certainly! Have you had a chance to give it a try? 😃 -Carrie

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Lovely teaching, Carrie 🎶❤️ Your tips were spot on 🌟

[@LearningtheHarp]

Thank you so much, Anne! 🤗 ♥ --Carrie

[@francieraymond]

Excellent technique tips! And demonstrated and explained so clearly!! Thumbs up for this channel and subscribed!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Aww thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed :) Happy to have you join us! --Carrie ♥

[@yammiebreeze4564]

Thank you very much! It rekindled my inclination to harp playing❤

[@melp-santini9709]

Truly appreciated this tips‘ recap. Thank you ❤

[@indiahawkins8732]

Thank you for uploading this video. I leanred alot even though I didnt quite understand the lesson that you helped the woman from Italy with. I dont have a harp yet so maybe one day when I get one, I can begin to understand

[@Amac07]

I hope you can get a harp soon! I've been playing about a year and it has been a wonderful journey so far.

[@SharonCullenArt]

Because I didn’t begin with lifting off the strings I find it a bit harder. Although my teacher says that they way someone lifts off is often noticed by the style they were trained in and that classically trained harpists tend to have a more dramatic lift. But when I am concentrating it tends to go out the window. It is frustrating.

[@jandunn169]

Still working on finding a good beginner harp I can afford but in the meantime, I am learning what I can...

[@jenborn5358]

This is awesome Carrie! ❤ Also, I LOVE your harp! What is it? 😊

[@GloriaGarcia-yv1tk]

I think that harp is a 34 string Dusty Strings Ravenna. Great harp & economical

[@PaulKater]

Squeezing the strings. I must remember that. The harp is my first string instrument. One day I'll figure it out.

[@makewh1500]

I need advice as a beginner in using the harp. Should I buy a 22-string harp or a 32-string harp? Which one of them would be better to last me a year or more? Thank you.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Definitely go for more strings if you can! But also consider the quality of the harp. If you’re buying the cheapest Pakistani 32 string harp, those often don’t last long because of the quality, so perhaps rather consider a 26 string harp made by a reputable harp company, and that would last you longer. You would still end up wanting a bigger harp, but at least you would have a quality instrument that you could keep using as your portable option when you travel etc. But if you have the budget, a 34 string harp from a reputable harp company would never need to be upgraded, it’s got enough bass strings and would last for decades and even be handed down to your children. So that’s always worth your money!

[@makewh1500]

​@@LearningtheHarp thx 🙏 for helping me too now I really appreciate you. But I have one last question. In our town, there are a few stores that sell musical instruments, but they do not contain the harp instrument. What should I do in this case? Buy online or travel to a town that has what I want, because I adore the harp instrument in all aspects.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Sorry for the late reply, sometimes it’s hard to see when people have replied! If you can travel to a town that has a shop with some good reputable harp brands, it’s DEFINITELY worth traveling to try it out for yourself! We all have very different taste in harp tones (eg bright versus warm), and it’s good to get advice on what harp would suit you, for example some harps are too large for short people. Also, harp shops sometimes have rent to sell options, which is a great way to get started on a good quality instrument without having to pay everything up front. All the best!

[@makewh1500]

@@LearningtheHarp I will do my best to get this ancient instrument. Plus thx for the second time

[@friedfish69]

The expression you are looking for is "umprove".Students want ro improve their harp playing. Real, grown up speech; it's painless.

[@TheGaffanon]

Some days I hit the strings everyTime then others I feel I’m hunting and pecking to get my hands in place. I’m not sure why.