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Getting started with harp therapy playing
Hello! I am still quite a beginner as far as my fluency in harp playing goes, but as soon as i got my 26-string Dusty from a couple in New Hampshire (it was dusty and had been stored in the attic for years), I knew i wanted to play in a therapeutic setting. I have cruised the online options and would like to hear if anybody has experiences or suggestions on getting started and the value of the therapy harp certifications.
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2 Replies
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I have been a harp therapist for 15 years, making my living in the field, having graduated from the Bedside Harp program. I particularly loved the program for the required internship (120 hours at each level) and the huge amount of support and mentoring. I would not have been able to do this work without that (I had not played a harp prior this).
My thoughts would be that you think about how you learn best and what you are comfortable with – can you learn on line without guidance or would you prefer live teaching? What kind of support do you imagine yourself needing to get through a program? The programs can be quite challenging and there is a lot to learn.
As far as needing a certification, again I would not have been in this field without my certification. Not only are there nuances and details on playing in different settings, you must be familiar with hospital protocols, etc.
Harp therapy is more complex than simply going to a nursing home and playing for a sing-a-long, although it can involve that. Please feel free to private message me if you would like or I’d be happy to answer questions here!
Good luck!
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Thank you for the reply. Yes; I’ll be following up with you. It’s amazing to me how soothing most people seem to find even my practicing (though not the tuning ;-\). I sent a friend a clip of my first complete run-through of the Aran Boat Song and she said it was just what she needed to calm down after waking up from a fretful sleep.
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