Your first harp lesson - The basic motion to play the harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday harpist Josh Layne offers some basic instruction to get you started playing the harp. Get in touch with Josh at [e-mail]
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Harp Tuesday is my KZbin series about playing the harp. Visit www.joshlayne.c... for an easy to navigate listing of all episodes.
I offer Skype lessons - email me at [e-mail] if you're interested!
Want to support Harp Tuesday? Buy my most recent CD! joshlayne.com/p... or search for Josh Layne on iTunes (itunes.apple.c...)
Thanks for watching!

[@lanhikari7667]

You know the video is good when the guy starts talking immediately

[@csueconner9711]

Finally, someone that makes the hand positions make sense. I like that you keep the videos short so I can concentrate on one thing at a time

[@johnbambrough3189]

I play guitar and I’m so eager to learn to play the harp and piano.. I definitely think it gives you a head start at other instruments once your familiar with one Need to save though they cost a fortune! Thanks for the lesson!

[@moiragreyland]

I was fortunate enough to learn this back when I began, in the Stone Age. It is the hardest thing to teach new harpists, and many resist until the pieces become difficult enough to make nothing work BUT this technique. Thank you for this excellent video!!

[@fadedlegi0n]

I've watched only 2 of your vids and I'm already impressed haha. Thanks teacher!

[@jimizajordan]

You are a genius! I could even see and the passion you have for this instrument! Thanks for this explanation!

[@ceciliaandrade7405]

That was a good lesson

[@jotoportillo7128]

I love the way you teach, very comprehensive. I am filipino and want to play harp. I have a locally made harp here in our place and i am starting to learn playing it and i want to know the basic. Thank you because i knew it from you. By the way, i hope it's not too late learning harp at my age 56? I'm interested to learn and plan to get a legitimate harp when i already can play harp.

[@carolcoffey450]

Very interesting

[@aasiaskerrett8359]

This is fantastic!!

[@jannatuominen1786]

I've watched this video so many times :D. It's good that you remember to mention relaxing the hand. Yet, I think it would be cool if someone took the time to really explain what it means to relax after plucking. At first, I just relaxed the finger plucking, but forgot to relax the whole hand and the arms.

[@JoshLayne]

Aww, awesome!

[@TSM_rivaltalk1]

Woohoo! Excellent!

[@RickyHarpo]

Hi John,, Thank you for your great videos,, I am learning a lot from you...

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks Richard!

[@ketiblum]

THANK YOU

[@JoshLayne]

You're welcome :)

[@Ninpoon214]

im thinking of buying the tulip 40 from Mikel Harps, i wanted to hear your thoughts on their harps if you,ve heard of them.

[@JoshuaRayHarvey]

Ty 🙏💜

[@kikimsund]

Thank you this helped a lot! I think I just need to practice the motion more, as it still feels unnatural to me.

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks and good luck!

[@violetaalonsomananes5793]

Funny thing I found you on a Tuesday! Thanks for this great video, I'll definitely check out the whole series although I can see it's about 9 years long...? (Congratulations for that!)

[@JoshLayne]

Haha, good timing - yay, Tuesday! :) Check out my playlist "Basics! Learn to play the harp!" kzbin.info/aero/PL1EDB4543B36842E1 or browse the complete list of episodes at www.harptuesday.com

[@mesias6412]

I love to play harp

[@ceciliaandrade7405]

This is his 1 first video on a harp but... this is the year of 2020

[@JoshLayne]

Hehe, thanks! :)

[@HaotoAnimeOnPiano]

2:30 It reminded me of a soundtrack from Plants Vs Zombies 2 on the Ancient Egypt world and Courage the Cowardly Dog .

[@DJTabooMixTypeBeat]

Adult Beginner here, thx u.

[@sydneydileo]

Closing the thumb is probably the hardest. It just does not feel very natural! Especially when I am going to be using my thumb one beat later

[@harp8842]

I want to purchase a Lyon and Healy prelude 40 but I'm a beginner. Will it be too much to handle?

[@JoshLayne]

+Harp Exciting! Short answer is it should be fine. But you certainly would be ok with fewer strings. I actually just recorded an episode about buying a harp - here's the section about how many strings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp6Qp3V4ma-MbcU Hope that helps! :)

[@perinatalcares]

Josh, my fingers do not go flat in my hand like yours. They stack ring finger on bottom pinky on that, middle on top of 4 knuckle 2 on top of 3 and thumb cooperates. Is this normal?😢

[@JoshLayne]

Hi Mona, yeah, everyone's fingers/hands are going to be a little different. Without seeing it I would say as long as it's feeling relaxed don't worry too much about it...

[@Neenertrucker]

Hey Josh, love your videos, and, I've subscribed to your channel. My girlfriend wants to take up the harp, and I believe it will be more than a passing fancy. With that in mind, what kind of harp, and, what price range should we be looking at. Her requirements are, at least an octave below middle C, and, with levers. my input here is, an instrument that will inspire her to play, something she can grow with, and be passionate about, and, also be proud of. Can this be accomplished for less than $1,200 ??? Your input would be greatly appreciated. And, thank you for all you do here!

[@JoshLayne]

Paul Neener Hi Paul, good question! I am planning to do an episode on buying a harp soon... :) But in a nutshell, for someone looking to get their first harp, you might:Rent a harp to start with (don't have to worry about finding the perfect harp right away)Buy a 26 or 27 string, no lever harp as the cheapest way to get started (Rees Harp's "Harpsicles", for example).Buy a 34 string, fully levered harp - this gives you tons of room to explore/grow, and might be the last harp you ever buy. Unfortunately you'll probably have to spend $2,000+, unless you happen to get a great second-hand deal.Hope that helps!

[@Neenertrucker]

Josh Layne Thanks Josh, I'll let her know.

[@oliveco3915]

Spock?

[@Driftxx.]

I think you have super powers

[@sembat7852]

and HE spoke: sound

[@rondelby2482]

Hi This is very important to me and i need your imput. I realized that I was dexylic. I had problems in school over it. When I took up the harp I was playing Greensleves in a few hours..What I did not know was that I played harp on left shoulder useing left to play trebels and right for chord finger works..I never knew for many years because I was self taught about which shoulder and hand placements.I am also right handed and its been a battle to learn these 40 years. I still play left shoulder and have tryed to to change hands but its very difficult for me. It would you be like you switching shoulders and play with opposite hands. Dyxlect people see correst words but sometimes they look foreign and I guess the harp playing would kind of opposite like a mirror effect Please help me and let me know . I am always distraught about this ...I sure hope to hear from you.

[@JoshLayne]

Hi Ron, sorry for the delayed reply! I think changing shoulders would be very hard now... Of course, if you could, you _might_ find your right hand is (eventually) able to play the melody line more easily/smoothly than your left hand (because you are right handed). BUT I know people who are left handed and yet play the melody line with their off (right) hand very well, so it's certainly possible! My guess would be that it's not worth trying to change, though I suppose it would mean you could use the levers on most harps more easily, etc. If you do decided to change, I would give yourself quite a long period (a year??) to get used to it and not worry about not being able to play as well as you did as you're adjusting. Still, I think it's hard to change something after 40 years, and seems likely it would be better to just keep on as you've always done! Hope that makes sense - good luck!

[@rondelby2482]

@@JoshLayne Thanks Josh I have a you tube channeL A good example of me playing and you can also view would be "Mist covered mountain tops of home .. aoah co oh come Emmanuel Would you observe these vids and get back to me when you can? Ron

[@alanduncan1980]

This is the first time I ever saw a dude playing one.

[@michaelsmith7355]

Yoooo I'm getting ready to perform infront of God lolll