The harp is a beautiful instrument that many people admire but fear they will never be able to play. The truth is, it can be simple and satisfying with just a little bit of effort and knowledge. It is never too late to start learning to play the harp! There are beginners of all ages and backgrounds who find great joy in playing the harp.
Steps
Step 1. Learn about the different types of harp
When most people think of a harp, they think either of a big golden pedal harp in an orchestra or some kind of lyre played by little angels on a Christmas card. In truth, the two most common types of harp are folk (non-pedal) harps and pedal harps. Folk harps have levers on the top to change the notes. Pedal harps have seven pedals that can make notes flat, double or sharp. There are also Irish harps, double-stringed harps, Paraguayan harps and other less common types. Remember: whoever plays the harp is called a harpist (in English: "harper" who plays the non-pedal harp, "harpist" who plays the pedal harp).
Step 2. Determine the type of music you are most interested in playing, as this choice will affect the type of harp you choose
While you can play Celtic music on a pedal harp and a classic piece on a folk harp, these harp styles really are different instruments for different purposes. The pedal harp is loud enough to be heard in an orchestra and its pedals make it easier to play classical music. It is large, relatively heavy and has a complicated mechanism that requires periodic maintenance. The non-pedal harp has a more discreet and warm tone, and is lighter and more portable. People who love Celtic music choose non-pedal Celtic harps, or Irish harps. People who perform at Renaissance fairs prefer high-headed "gothic" harps. Those who love classical music often choose a pedal harp or a non-pedal harp with concert tension and spacing so that they can more easily switch to using the pedals. People who travel extensively or do harp therapy sometimes choose a smaller instrument, while professional harpists who perform at weddings may want a decorative instrument. Some people prefer the more unusual double-stringed harps.
Step 3. Get a harp
Even used pedal harps can cost up to over € 7,000. If you are sure, buy or rent a non-pedal harp. With fewer strings and less investment, a non-pedal harp will allow you to get a feel for the instrument without spending a huge amount or having to deal with pedals and foot movements. If you want to play Celtic music, a non-pedal harp might be the choice for you anyway! While it is best to know how to play an instrument before buying it, harps CAN be purchased from reputable sellers on the internet as well. Beware, however, of too cheap harps (200-300 €) made in Pakistan, and buy only antique harps or used harps under the advice of a professional. An excessively cheap antique harp could require thousands of dollars in repairs before it can be played.
Step 4. Hire a harp teacher, or buy a self-teaching method
As you search for a teacher, try to find one who respects the style of music you want to play, and who can teach you the appropriate technique for your harp style.
Step 5. Look at the strings
They are like the piano keys: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, repeated systematically. The red strings are the C, the black or blue strings are the F.
Step 6. Tune your harp
If you haven't developed a good ear yet, you can use an electronic tuner. Using the chord key purchased with the harp, you can CAREFULLY tighten or loosen the strings to change notes. This is an area where an experienced musician will be of great help to you. If you have a pedal harp, all pedals are put to rest before tuning. With your non-pedal harp, you should probably tune the C major tone first. In fact, the A strings will be A, the B strings will be B, the C strings will be C, and so on. Later you can tune your harp with some flat notes to be able to play songs in different keys.
Step 7. Sit at the harp
Get into a sturdy, comfortable chair that's just the right height for your harp. If you have a small harp, you may need to place it on a riser in front of you so that you can easily touch the center strings of the harp. The shorter strings will need to be closer to you, and the longer strings farther away. Now tilt the body of the harp between your legs and rest the harp against your right shoulder. It shouldn't be too heavy if it is positioned correctly. The harp doesn't have to be straight in front of you, you can turn it a bit so you can see the strings. You should position yourself so that your arms make an angle of just under 90 degrees with your body, parallel to the floor and in the center of the ropes. At this point, your feet should be flat on the floor.
Step 8. The position of the hands is the subject of much discussion among harpists
Some instructors follow one technique, others prefer different styles. There is no "one" technique that is right for all harpists. There are SOME similarities, however, such as relaxing your hands as often as possible, which are simply dictated by common sense and will help avoid getting hurt. Many teachers also recommend making sure you close your fingers and thumbs in your palm after playing a note.
Step 9. Most non-pedal harps are played with the soft parts - sides or tips - of the thumbs and first three fingers (the little fingers are too small)
When playing a pedal or non-pedal harp, nails should be kept short. Irish harps and some advanced techniques for other harps, on the other hand, need to be played with the fingernails. M.
Step 10. In pedal harps, all pedals in the middle position are in C major
Raising a pedal will make the note go flat, lowering it will make it go sharp.
Step 11. On a non-pedal harp, raising the sharp lever will raise the note by a semitone
If the string was tuned in flat, raising the lever will cause it to pass through the square. If the note was in the square, raising the lever will turn it into sharp.
Step 12. Now, with your right hand, extend your index finger
Place it on the harp strings as far as you can and quickly pull it back towards you so that it flows and makes each string ring out.
Step 13. Congratulations
You played your first "glissando" on a harp!
Advice
- To find a harp teacher, look around and ask people you know. You could try a local university or orchestra to find the name of a professional harpist nearby. You can also search online for harpist forums with lists of teachers in your area.
- Look for a CD with harp music or attend an orchestra concert and keep an eye on the harp! Observing and listening are great ways to get acquainted with the instrument.
Warnings
- Once people learn that you play the harp, there may be a lot of requests to perform.
- Wrong posture or hand position can do a lot of harm: start with good habits by learning from a professional harp teacher.
- Ask your teacher about proper care and maintenance to give your instrument.
