The secret to playing left hand patterns without pauses

[@RonaldDelby-e3s]

It has taken me years to finally realize why I play harp on left shoulder. I have dyslexia and everything is opposite in my brain. I started in 1989 and learned to play good over the years . This has never been brought up but now I believe that dyslectic people have a hard time playing right shoulder. In the harp community, this should be brought up and discussed. I started in 1989 and played left shoulder left hand trebles and right hand bass even though I am right handed. Maybe this is why some folks gave up harp. I stuck with it and play well enough to play weddings and church programs. Let me know please you input .

[@Hadvtngj]

From a fellow dyslexic. I started playing around 6 months ago and have without exaggeration learned extremely quickly. I can say that while I understand way there is a standard shoulder I actually found it to be a little funny how set people are about the shoulder thing. I have switched shoulders numerous times during training, but mostly to se my left hand from a different angle to correct posture. Though sometimes simply because switching sides is a fun and rewarding experience that helps to understand your instrument better in my experience. I asked my teacher (50+years of playing/teaching and degree in harp) about the shoulder thing yearly on because I also didn’t se the point. She simply said that the harp is mirrored so there really isn’t any reason for the rule other than set procedure and norms for easier teaching/learning. (And some harps might be built in a way that the lower or higher string is obscured by the frame from one side). I would think about it like the norm for writing whit the right hand, if the reason to prevent ink smudging wasn’t a thing but some pens are made to fit a right hand. Some people do have a easier time for example cutting with scissors in their left hand even though right handed. In that regard you might have been more comfortable with the left side. And as we dyslexic people do simply adapted accordingly to “use the cards that where given in the most efficient way”. I can whit out a doubt say that my dyslexia do affect the way I learn harp thou. It has gotten better but reading notes was a huge undertaking among other things in how I understand music as a concept. Therefore I wholeheartedly say that my teacher is worth her weight in gold. Not just for the technical stuff but in her willingness and ability to adapt her way of explaining, showing and teaching so that I understand. Her husband is dyslexic so I have been wondering if that have helped her to adapt her teaching methods. For an example I learned about cords on the harp way to early in the learning process because I was curious. Instead of explaining which notes were in the cord she simply stated “ 3 strings, every other string. And the lowest note is the cord you play”. She explained way we don’t have to count like a piano player because of the lack of black keys and could just take the strings in that order. We have developed further on the topic after but the practical way she teaches me just works. That conversation took literally less than 5 minutes but I have been able to play cords after that and understand what I’m doing.

[@karissathatcher9206]

Great video Anne! I love how clearly you broke this down. Your videos help me to be a better harpist and teacher! Thank you! 😊

[@arpapke]

Dear Anne Nice to meet you, my name is Yasutoshi Uchida. I was playing the harp in a Japanese Air Force band. In 1999, I attended the 20th Nova Scotia International Tatto in Halifax, Canada. At Halifax, I stayed in a dormitory at St. Mary's University for about a month and enjoyed life in Halifax. In the United States, We performed with the US Air Force military band in Washington, D.C. After retirement, I am currently teaching harp at home. I bought some Anne's songs, but they are all very beautiful songs that even beginners can feel good about. Please continue to introduce good songs. Thank you very much.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

So nice to meet you! Thank you for visiting my channel!

[@deedeedray5954]

This is an excellent tutorial! I would call it an essential tutorial. I tackled the 1-5-8 pattern during the early days of the pandemic, when I didn’t have a teacher, and your words of Hover-Open-Place were in my head. That helped a lot, but this tutorial would have been even better. Now I am going to use it to try to clean up my 1-5-10 left hand pattern, which is far from fluent. Thank you so much for all of the wonderful teaching videos and the beautiful, playable arrangements.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Thank you for the kind comment! I found that my 1-5-10s improved when I aimed with my thumb.

[@marthadahlen7237]

Excellent! Clear, sensible... I will try. That fourth finger curl is the bane of my harpistry!

[@organist1982]

You're such an excellent teacher, Anne!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Thank you so much 😊

[@susancallhutchisongoodoldtunes]

This is the perfect complement to the "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" course! I'm having so much fun! Thank you, Anne.

[@gwynethjones7323]

Great cueing for hand umbrella. I dove into the harp without the piano background. Thank you!

[@1BelovedOne]

You are wonderful❣Grateful that I found you here🙏❣THANK YOU!!!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You are so welcome

[@SarahWiede-s9k]

Thank you! This is a game changer! You are an excellent harp teacher.

[@GloriaGarcia-yv1tk]

Great tips! Wonderful instructional video on 1-5-8! Love the hover first, & then looking for top note instead of bottom note which is what I was doing all these years of playing. Thank you!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

That's a game changer isn't it! How's it going so far?

[@GloriaGarcia-yv1tk]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic I tried it out yesterday & it worked great, a smoother placement for sure!!👍🎶

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

@@GloriaGarcia-yv1tk Oh good, I’m glad to hear that 🌟🌟🌟

[@rebeccaroseadams8694]

Hi Anne! Calliope and I watched and followed along with you! You explained so thoroughly the counting and the 1-5-8 pattern that I am sure that if you ever ask me to show you patterns again, I am confident that I will be able to do it! And hover-open-place is always a good thing for me to practice because my pinkie finger always wants to go rogue! I think my left-brain is growing! 😊 I know I can always trust you with my learning. Thank you! 😁

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Your left brain is definitely getting a nice workout! Good for you!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Go get your harp and join me for a free harp workshop! I'll help you uncover the secret to playing your LH 1-5-8 patterns more fluently. I'll take you step-by-step through my best tips. Let me know in the comments what was your favorite takeaway that you plan to add to your technique? 🔸 CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 0:36 What's a 1-5-8 pattern? 1:24 Learn to trust the hand shape 2:41 Hover Open Place 5:14 Visual landmarks 6:15 Finger 4 follow through 9:20 Play 1-5-8s and count 10:34 The secret to fluency 12:12 158 chord progression 14:42 In the Clouds lead sheet 15:47 Arran Boat Song left hand

[@leannmarshall28]

I love this instructional video Anne, it's exactly what I'm working on, and I can come back and refer to it often!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Yes this is exactly what you are working on! Glad the video is a helpful resource!

[@vicki8010]

I have a double jointed thumbs on both hands and have tried since I started playing at 49 to stop them from collapsing. It drove my teacher Sharlene crazy. I am 74 now and am aware and sometimes I can stop it. I had given up lessons after my stroke as I just could not stand any pressure and your courses have given me so much at my own time. I am so grateful Anne. 🥰

[@lindaswope]

Great suggestions. Thank you so much. I learned a lot about what to do with my left hand. You are so kind to post these videos. And I love your music.

[@ruthpoirier7389]

Thank you so much Anne You are so generous with helping us to improve our playing and therefore our enjoyment of playing our harp God bless

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You're very welcome!

[@nihaimamoniquestamper7670]

Thank you for this teaching. I am righthanded, i real have strugle with this, when I relaxed it get beter. Greeting from Netherland 🥰✍👍

[@janedoe4988]

Very helpful Anne! There were many suggestions to help me. I especially appreciated the when to move the hand for pattern progression. This will make my playing more fluent!!! I could hug you!! Well done. 💕💕💕

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I'm so excited for you! How it's going well so far!

[@sheilablackford9322]

Thank you, Ann. Very helpful.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

@@sheilablackford9322 You’re welcome ☺️

[@Gichanasa]

This is the most excellent tutorial for beginner harp I have seen to date. Coming from decades of classical guitar and various types of zithers, the harp was still a mystery to me due to the visibility issue, which this lesson addressed beautifully - it's all about the touch. Thank you dearly Anne, please keep up the wonderful work!

[@pammarsden538]

Thank you so much Anne, this really helps!

[@carpenanne]

‘Home to New Glasgow’ is a great workout for practicing left hand patterns.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Absolutely! The same technique can be applied to bigger left hand patterns too. Going into a 1-5-10 is it's own special challenge!

[@connieLo87365]

A wonderful tutorial, something many selft taugh miss Thank You

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Oh yes, I certainly missed it in the early days! Big thank you to my teacher Katherine who taught me how to do this.

[@janetmyrick8063]

Thank you so much, Anne. This should really help my fluency, as I was using finger 4 to position my hand (at a place on the string I could see it) and then sliding down the string into the "fingers-down" position. Needless to say, I had not achieved fluency with this method, and there were TONS of pauses. This will really help; your teachings are nothing short of a "gift" to adult learners like me! Thanks again!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Sounds like you are well on your way to tweaking your technique! Good luck!

[@dianerichards3742]

Wow! I have some relearning to do! I’ve always looked for the bottom note of a 1-5-8 pattern…. You convinced to look for top note and I will start relearning! Great video!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Good for you! I can’t wait to hear how you make out aiming with your thumb!

[@TaisiaDanilova]

woow! such a wonderful lesson with so many great tips. Thank you!

[@nikikranz]

This is extremely helpful, thank you. I've been working with a teacher face to face but having a video helps to go to the details patiently and repeat many times. Thanks a lot!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Great, I’m glad the video gives some added support!

[@SusanCallHutchison]

This is SO helpful to me - exactly my speed. I'm going to play this tutorial over and over until I can do exactly as you say. I've been practicing your arrangement of Arran Boat Song, so this video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I can tell from just the first time through this tutorial that this is helping me not only with my fluency, but my hand and finger positions and follow-through. You are such a good teacher, Anne!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Thank you so much, Susan! I appreciate your thoughtful comment 🥰 Happy practicing!

[@twoeagles19]

Always wanted to play Harp . Nice lesson ThX ! Your voice is so soothing , would you please read us a bed time Story ? As You play the Harp for background Ambience of course. 😁Peace .

[@theresac7366]

Very helful. I learn so much from your videos. Thank you.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I’m so glad it was helpful! Happy practicing!

[@connieennis6556]

I have never done a 1-5-8 pattern. Thank you for explaining it.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I’m sure you’ll start to see them everywhere! It’s a really good pattern to have in your hand!

[@leamasiello7908]

This is a very useful approach. Thanks!

[@dustystrings36]

Hey, Ann! I LOVE your harp! It’s just like mine! I also love your arrangements. Maybe we will meet in person someday.

[@loco4636]

Oh, and I'd like to mention that my favorite, "First Snow," was a good piece to help practice this pattern too. It gave me so much confidence as a novice harpist! I highly recommend it as well.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Yes, exactly! "First Snow" is an excellent choice for developing this technique. I'm glad it went well for you!

[@lindawinn2568]

A really helpful video. You explain everything and the reason why to do something a certain way so well. Thank you. And I always love your calm manner🙏

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Thank you, Linda. I appreciate that!

[@Tinykniter]

Such a helpful video! Even though I’m no longer a beginner, it’s good to go back and review technique. Always more to learn and refine. Thanks for taking the time to explain more!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Exactly! This is definitely one of those skills that you can finesse as you advance.

[@Lizriley-fi5zb]

Amazing thank you

[@canadianharpmusic8397]

Beautifully explained. Thank you.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Thank you so much!

[@acolleenjones]

That's interesting. My teacher has me doing that pattern with my 1-2-3 fingers. I have a tune that requires an extra note in the chord, so maybe that is why. It makes it harder to do that 1-5-8 chord pattern though! I'll try your method to see if I can reduce my "claw" more. It's getting better with stretching but I have to try the cover open place technique you teach.

[@carlawilliamson9090]

Thanks for this, Anne. Very helpful!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I'm so glad to hear that!

[@geologieterreplaneteterre4684]

please practical advice sight Reading on the Harp thanks

[@galinap.8881]

Thank you, Anne! Very helpful tutorial.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Meltiqueful]

Great video, Anne, thanks so much! So very helpful in figuring out how to arrange and even improvise! Also helpful in placing smoothly, something I need to practice a lot!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

That tiny little tweak can make a big difference!

[@laurychristie5016]

Thank you Anne. So very helpful.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You’re welcome Laury 🙂

[@Mumbaiharpist]

❤❤thanks mam

[@annewiens1612]

Thank you!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You're welcome, Anne!

[@marierock3814]

Merci pour votre tuto vous êtes un professeur exceptionnel. Vos exemples sont simples et faciles à comprendre. Merci de transmettre et de partager gratuitement votre savoir Merci!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Je suis heureux d'aider!

[@gailjones4502]

Thank you, Anne. That was very helpful.

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Hi Gail! Glad it was helpful!

[@schmi3089]

Thank you.... 😍

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You're welcome!

[@James-qr4sd]

Thank you

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You’re welcome!

[@reighn831]

how do I go about playing a 1-5-8-5 pattern? Do I just... play the fourth note with the thumb and then repeat the 1-5-8 technique? Or am I approaching this incorrectly?

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I would play the 4th note in a 1-5-8-5 pattern with finger 2. So 4-2-1-2. It involves some fancy linking.

[@rondelby2482]

I play left hand and right on bass and have the harp on left shoulders for 42 years..I was dyslectic and that caused the mirror method I play. I can write from right to left on a page a sentence and right words show up to me as wrong even though they are right. The dyslexia caused me to be a left shoulder player in that method. Its been a long haul for me to learn the harp but I have achieved a lot. I am right handed too. Tried the usual method right shoulder but it would be like you switched hands. Thats how it would be for me to play treble with right hand and bass witth left..

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Wow, that's so interesting! I wonder what double strung would be like for you?

[@rondelby2482]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic I never tried one but saw an affordable one on the internet. I may get one in the future. Thanks

[@rondelby2482]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic I have some harp videos up on youtube. Ronald Delby If you would subscribe to it You can see me playing nleft shoulder.

[@kathijohnson2462]

can this technique be used on other had patterns? If so what patterns do you recommend starting with?

[@Ninpoon214]

where can i purchase that same harp?

[@jacquelinetouchie9218]

Very helpful tutorial Anne. Thank you. Any suggestions for helping to keep that LH finger 5 relaxed?

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

For me, doing some of those high-fives so finger 5 learns to move with fingers 3 and 4 is the most useful way to help it relax.

[@jacquelinetouchie9218]

I used an elastic in the beginning as was stretching that octave as large as a piano octave initially until it became evident that an octave span on harp was far less than a keyboard. And slow steady practice helped as well. But sometimes that pinky just wants to have tea!😂

[@harfe8886]

Thank you for the helpful video! Why are fingers 1, 2 and 4 used instead of 1, 2, 3? When I do the pattern like this (124), my 3rd finger pulls up instead of moving down, and I don't know how to change that; except to change the fingering (123). Do you have any advice?

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I'd encourage you to use 4-2-1 because at some point soon you'll want to be able to play 1-3-5-8 patterns and you'll want to be ready to use fingers 4-3-2-1 for those. This of course is coming from more of a classical training 😉

[@sleepbootbianca]

Thank you for this great tutorial. On my harpsicke I find it difficult to close my ringfinger 'stretched' without touching the string above. Any suggestions? Kindest regards!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I find if I float my elbow so the left forearm is almost parallel with the floor, I can get a clear path with my ring finger.

[@sleepbootbianca]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic thanks for the tip, I will practice that and let you know how it goes!

[@VeronicaVeronica1]

Thank you! I’m also working on 4-2-1… is there a book or resource on other left hand patterns?

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

I have a workbook called "Chord Town" that goes into left hand patterns, improvising and playing from lead sheets. Here's the link to explore: musicdiscoveries.shop/products/chord-town

[@VeronicaVeronica1]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic thank you :)

[@SusanCallHutchison]

@@annecrosbygaudetmusic This is a great resource for anyone who wants to be able to play by ear, accompany themselves singing, or write their own harp arrangements. I highly recommend it!

[@KimFsharpHarp]

Ha, studying harp and googled “improve left hand” and didn’t mention the instrument and you popped up.

[@jenborn5358]

I wish I could have followed along, it was way too fast for me 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

A good starting step would be to just place the left hand 158s in time with me. You can also slow down the video in the settings 🙂

[@loco4636]

Such a wealth of information!!! Thank you so much!

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

You are so welcome!