Always wanted to learn to play the harp? Welcome to your 1st harp lesson (now uploaded to Rumble* & Odysee), which includes 4 tips to help you get started in harp playing.
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Enjoy the short harp lesson video, then read a quick recap below.
Not on Rumble* or Odysee*? Use my referral links to sign up! (Don’t worry, you should be able to watch the video on either platform whether or not you have accounts.)
So, what’s in the vid?/Beginner Harp Questions Answered
How long should my nails be to play harp?
You should have short nails for playing harp. Some cultures and techniques, such as South American harp and wire-strung harp, utilize long fingernails. However, for “standard” harp playing you should have short nails. There are special effects that use the nails on the harp strings, but these still require short fingernails.
Wash your hands.
Particularly if you’re a student, you should get in the habit of washing and drying your hands (with soap and water) before playing harp. This helps remove dirt, grime, and excess oils before playing. This is especially a courteous thing to do if you are playing someone else’s harp.
How To Sit At The Harp.
Sit on a firm chair or stool that doesn’t have arms (a kitchen chair or piano bench can work). Sit up straight and lean the harp toward your right shoulder.
What Are Do The Different Colors On The Harp Strings Mean?
Simplified, the red strings mark C & the blue (sometimes black or purple) strings indicate F. The white strings are notes in between.
If you’d like a video on the notes other than C & F, let me know via the contact form or in the comments section of this post. Happy harping!
-Barbara
P.S. Here’s the original “Your 1st Harp Lesson!” post.
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Barbara Fischer runs Fischarper, LLC and loves her job as a harpist and private music educator. She enjoys blogging about various aspects of the music field on fischarper.com/blog. For more music resources, check out the Fischarper store. Find out where you can find Barbara on the interwebs here. And you can sign up to receive Fischarper updates by joining the email list.
Your blog deserves wider recognition.