Home (2022) version 2 Forums Getting Started with the Harp Harp Q&A: Getting to know you

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  • Harp Q&A: Getting to know you

    Posted by Judiann on 2 March, 2021 at 3:39 am

    We’ve all come from different groups and platforms to join this wonderful new community. Here are some Questions & Answers to help us get to know each other. Everyone is invited to jump in at any time, newcomers and beginners included.

    Questions:

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    Answer as many questions as you wish. Comments, suggestions, and general banter welcome.

    Cathryn replied 2 years, 4 months ago 32 Members · 127 Replies
  • 127 Replies
  • Judiann

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 3:46 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    At the beginning of the pandemic, I decided to learn hammered dulcimer. After a few months, I was padding hammers and trying to make that instrument sound like a harp. It wasn’t going particularly well ?. That’s when I realized I should be playing harp instead. It was a roundabout way of getting here, but I’m so happy to have finally discovered the harp.


    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    Traditional Celtic slow airs. They’re simply gorgeous on the harp.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    I’ve been learning tunes by chunking, for example, in 2-measure phrases. Stringing those chunks together in a smooth, flowing manner (without pauses) has been harder than expected. As if that weren’t enough, I’m also trying to memorize a few repertoire pieces and not rely so heavily on sheet music.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    It’s all about the challenge. Playing the harp takes every single available brain cell. It’s all-encompassing. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be as fascinating. And it’s so encouraging to see progress.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I’m really looking forward to meeting new friends and getting to know everyone on the forums here. How about you?

    • Alyssa Cowell

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

      I had never seen a harp up close in person, but have always wanted to play. A few Christmases ago I received the amazing gift of a harp kit to build one myself – it took me about 3 months of super-careful assembly and finishing to complete (zero wood working experience, a musician’s amount of patience, and limitless enthusiasm).

      2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

      I am happy to play just about anything that will fit on my 26 string, no levers (yet) harp, but at my current skill level I enjoy ballads and traditional folk music most!

      3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

      I’m a little stuck on the idea of learning/arranging songs from film adaptations of Jane Austen films – so many pretty melodies that would translate well to harp! More realistically: I would like to put together a short set list to play at a local farmer’s market or other small, low-pressure venue.

      4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

      For me, the harp is a perfect combination of musical challenge and relaxation technique – the mind is engaged but the resulting music is calming and supremely satisfying.

      5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

      Building my harp was the most rewarding experience and led to a few more non-harp instrument builds – I would love to encourage anyone considering their own build!

      • AnnJeannette Mead

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 6:46 am

        Oh wow I don’t think I would have the confidence to build my own harp! And yes I agree with your thought there about the Jane Austen movie soundtracks, there could be some gems there for harp arrangements. ?

        • Alyssa Cowell

          Member
          10 March, 2021 at 8:42 pm

          Hi, Annette! I posted a reply to Judiann below – you might be interested in the book I mentioned!

      • Judiann

        Member
        4 March, 2021 at 12:33 am

        @alyssa.cowell Have you already arranged anything from those Jane Austen films? On my To Arrange List are Hole in the Wall by Henry Purcell, as well as several country dances from Playford’s English Dancing Master. They probably fit in the same general category as you’re referring to, although I haven’t learned any of them yet. Looking forward to being able to play them.

        • Alyssa Cowell

          Member
          10 March, 2021 at 8:41 pm

          Hi, Judiann! I have NOT arranged anything yet, though I have an easy piano book of some of JA film themes that will get me started. I’ll need to re-key most songs to work with my 26 strings. I also have a book by Suzanne Guldmann called “Music for the Netherfield Ball,” which is full of songs from the Austen family collection/mentioned in Austen’s writings and letters – not from the films, but historically accurate and pretty!

    • AnnJeannette Mead

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:42 am

      Hi Judiann! I also love traditional Celtic music! I’m curious if you still play the hammered dulcimer? I just learned what that instrument is recently! I’m also curious how long have you been playing the harp now? ?

      • Judiann

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 5:51 pm

        @annette.mead I’ve been playing harp for 8 months and no longer play HD (hammered dulcimer). However, my duet partner still plays her HD and loves it. After finding this video last summer, I realized I wanted to be the harp player rather than the HD player. The Foggy Dew is on my To Learn list ?. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ms8LFc7fSM

    • Tiffany Schaefer

      Member
      15 March, 2021 at 7:37 am

      I love your “aha” moment, Judiann! “I’m trying to make this sound like a harp…why am I not playing a harp?”

      Do you have any current favorite slow airs?

      • Judiann

        Member
        15 March, 2021 at 5:17 pm

        @tiffanyharpandsong Great question. There are so many, that could be a whole thread in itself. I’ve been arranging tunes from the Kingston Irish Slow Session Tune Book. It has a really nice selection of trad slow airs and includes many of my favorites. I’m currently learning “The Gentle Maiden,” but since I arrange music at a higher level than I can play, it will take months of practice. 😅


        • Tiffany Schaefer

          Member
          15 March, 2021 at 7:19 pm

          Oh Gentle Maiden is a great one! And that Kingston book is a treasure isn’t it? I love that they put the chord symbols in.

          • Judiann

            Member
            15 March, 2021 at 7:47 pm

            @tiffanyharpandsong Yes, and their chord suggestions are usually spot on. Another thing I like about that book is that it gives sources and background info for the tunes.

        • Amy Newson

          Member
          10 April, 2021 at 3:54 am

          Thanks fr the suggestions- I’ll have to put that book on my “want” list. 🙂

          • Judiann

            Member
            10 April, 2021 at 4:36 am

            @amy.newson Good news — It’s free. 😃

            It’s a 524-page PDF file with lead sheets (melodies and chords). Go to this page https://www.harpoftara.com/music . Scroll down to Slow Sessions. In the left column, there will be a button to download the Full Tune Book.

            • Amy Newson

              Member
              10 April, 2021 at 5:05 pm

              *Happy dance!* Thank you, @judiann.maddigan ! Best news I’ve had today!

  • Candace Clark

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 3:55 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    I realized in middle school that all of my classmates had been playing instruments since they were little. I felt like I needed to pick an easy instrument so I could catch up to them. As we all know, the harp is not as easy as it looks! I fell in love with it and I’ve been playing for many years now. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way or I haven’t devoted time to practice like I should. I’m still an advanced beginner, I’d say.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    Classical music, but I’m struggling to find easier pieces to learn on that still have some depth of character like the traditional pieces.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    I’d like to build up my repertoire. I currently know 3 songs at the beginner to intermediate level.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I love how soothing it is. Whether I’m playing or I’m listening to someone else, I just love how beautiful it sounds. Never fails to put a smile on my face.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    Reading music has always been my greatest weakness. I’ve let it hold me back from so much harping! My hope is through these courses, I’ll be able to develop better technique while tackling note reading in my spare time. Happy to be here and meet some new harpy friends!

    • Judiann

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 5:51 pm

      You’ve got a lovely pedal harp, so that must help with your classical pieces. The accidentals have been my problem, trying to play classical music on a lever harp.

      Reading music has always been my greatest weakness. I’ve let it hold me back from so much harping!

      Have you tried playing by shapes? One method is Magic Hands by Carol Kapus, https://youtu.be/frOTGefjug4 . That was an eye-opener for me. I label the shapes for the brackets on my sheet music. For example, I’ll see a “Mitten” shape, and I’ll only read the starting C note. My fingers have learned to place those other notes for the C D E G shape simultaneously without having to read the additional 3 notes. Reading by relationships is so much faster than having to read every single note. However, this method probably works better for Celtic music rather than classical.

  • Amanda Barnes

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 4:47 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    It’s an instrument I’ve always wanted to play. I finally decided to take the leap!

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    I really love Celtic music which is my goal to be able to play.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    To play music for my family, especially at Christmas.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    The peace is brings me. I find it fun and relaxing. It brightens my day!

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I’m really looking forward to using this site. Finally a place where it can all come together!

    • Judiann

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 6:34 pm

      Playing for your family is a wonderful goal, and you have plenty of time to make that happen by Christmas. Are you already starting on Christmas carols? I’d like to learn In the Bleak Midwinter — it’s one of my favorites.

      • Amanda Barnes

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 3:05 am

        I haven’t started yet but I have a few ready for me to learn. In the bleak midwinter is definitely one I want to play. I have two I purchased from Anne Crosby Gaudet that she wrote called First Snow and All is Calm.

        • Judiann

          Member
          3 March, 2021 at 7:50 pm

          @amanda.barnes Nice choices. That’s already shaping up to be a great holiday program.

        • Tiffany Schaefer

          Member
          13 March, 2021 at 7:45 pm

          I have those pieces by Anne too and just love them!!

        • nightthunder

          Member
          16 March, 2021 at 7:18 pm

          Hi Amanda! I’m with you! I have the same pieces of music and can’t wait to learn them. It’s wonderful that you want to share your playing with family members. They and you will benefit.

  • Jay Derry-Greene

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 11:42 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    Lockdown really. I play the French horn, in some local community orchestras and bands, but it’s not so much fun playing it on my own, it’s meant to be part of a whole. And since I’ve always loved the sound of the harp, and it seemed a nicer thing to play solo, I took the plunge and found a secondhand harp nearby.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    Classical, and folk music

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    To improve my technique, to be able to play both hands together more easily, to be able to play more complex music

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I love the sound most of all, but also the look of the instrument, and the actual physical process of playing – and I’m enjoying finding that there’s a harp community too.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I’ve just taken early retirement, so in theory I should have plenty of time to practise. But I have also just adopted two Dale pony colts (8mths and 10mths), in case I had too much spare time or money 😉

    • Judiann

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 7:52 pm

      “I love the sound most of all, but also the look of the instrument, and the actual physical process of playing …”

      You’ve raised such an important point, about enjoying the process of playing the harp. I totally agree.

      “…But I have also just adopted two Dale pony colts (8mths and 10mths), in case I had too much spare time or money

      ? Too funny!

    • AnnJeannette Mead

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:50 am

      Adopted two new colts?! I’m sure they’re adorable! Do they have names?☺

      • Jay Derry-Greene

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 7:53 pm

        Hi, they are Merlin and Bracken.

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      @jay.derry-greene We want to see those Dale pony colts. There’s a camera icon to attach a photo to your forum post. ?

      This is a “getting to know you” thread, and some of the most interesting conversations happen off topic.

      • Jay Derry-Greene

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 7:49 pm

        Lol. Here they are:

        The black-and-grey (blue roan) fella is Merlin, and he’s 10 months old, and the pangaré bay little guy is Bracken, who is 8 months.

        • Judiann

          Member
          3 March, 2021 at 8:14 pm

          @jay.derry-greene Awww. So cute. My blue merle smooth collie is also named Merlin, but he requires a little less space than your Merlin ?.

        • AnnJeannette Mead

          Member
          13 March, 2021 at 6:03 am

          They are gorgeous! And wow, such big boys by 10 months and 8 months! Also the snow is also gorgeous where you are 👍

        • Tiffany Schaefer

          Member
          15 March, 2021 at 7:18 pm

          THEY ARE SO CUTE!

  • Avril

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    Hi all,

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    I’ve always liked the harp, but when I was a child I always heard I’d never succeed in playing it, that it was too hard and to concentrate on my studies. So now I have a job, I’m independant, and an adult and about 2 years ago I figured I could try to learn anyway, now it would only affect me if I tried and failed or tried and managed to learn.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    I love all types of musics but I have a fondness for traditional celtic musics.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    I want to first correct all of my bad habits taken after about a year of learning alone in my corner with various youtube channels, and start to build my musical repertoire (and remember it this time)

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I enjoy many things. First being the challenge, second being that the harp is a beautiful instrument that doesn’t pierce your eardrums if you make mistakes so…

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I’m glad to meet you all 😉

    • Josie

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      It’s nice to meet you! I can totally relate to having bad habits built up (oof) so that’s one of my goals too.

    • Judiann

      Member
      2 March, 2021 at 8:06 pm

      “…and start to build my musical repertoire (and remember it this time)”


      When you figure that out, let me know. I can play pieces that I’m currently working on, but if I try a piece that I haven’t played for a while, it takes some dedicated practice to learn it again.

  • Josie

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    Hi everybody! My name is Josie and I’m currently a university student! I play the violin, and I’ve always kind of wanted to play the harp, but it was always something that seemed unreachable in my mind. But, in January I decided to go for it and got myself a harp anyways. I really like Celtic harp music, but I also like when people play other sorts of music (especially instrumental soundtracks from movies or video games) on the harp, and I hope to learn some of those someday. I don’t really have any specific goals for this year, I just want to learn as much as I can and have fun doing it! My favorite part of playing the harp is just listening to the sound and knowing that I’m making it. I love making music.

    I’m looking forward to meeting new people!! Are there any other university/college students out there?

    • AnnJeannette Mead

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:54 am

      Hey Josie! I also would love to play music from movies (like Phantom of the Opera) and video games (like Legend of Zelda)! I just graduated in 2020, so I was recently a university/college student… does that count? ?

      • Josie

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 8:44 pm

        Yess that’s exciting! I have a lot of friends who graduated then right as school was starting to move online. I LOVE Zelda music and I definitely have some pieces in mind to learn when I get to that level haha. Phantom of the Opera is cool too! And I love theatre music too in general so that might be fun

      • Caroline

        Member
        30 March, 2021 at 9:45 am

        Hi Annette, i love the Legend of Zelda music too & have been learning how to play some of the songs from Ocarina of time. Have you heard of Amy Turk? She’s a harpist on Youtube, i love her version of “Fairy fountain” – and hope to get that good someday 😊

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 8:03 pm

      @josieisgroovy Some of those anime films have gorgeous soundtracks. I especially like composer Joe Hisaishi.

      • Josie

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 8:46 pm

        Ooh true! I really like the music from Howl’s Moving Castle

      • Daleen Comer

        Member
        13 March, 2021 at 7:41 pm

        I play piano as well as harp, and I have two books of music by Joe Hisaishi that I bought in Tokyo while on vacation, because you can’t get them any other way. They are very precious to me.

  • Juliane

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 4:28 pm

    Hello together, great idea to introduce us:

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    Once I was in a concert (in the eighties) and a young man was playing a small harp – I never knew about it… two weeks later my piano was sold and a small harp was ordered, modell “renaissance” from Salvi. Even the harpteacher on our conservatory never heard about small harps and she tried to teach me well. Nevertheless I had a few lessons and then I stopped it – it was not what I really needed.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    I am a Folksinger, loving the celtic music very much and jiddish and sefardish music too. I love to arrange my songs harps for accompaniments.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    My goal – not even für 2021 – is to become better in first-sight-reading and coordination of both hands.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I love to hold my harps in my arms, feeling the resonance in my body. And I really love the sound of plucked instruments, their tenderness and also the power they can have.

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      @juliane.zollmann-lang Wow, you were all-in, selling your piano and buying your first harp. Since you now have three harps, it looks like you made the right decisions. There’s so much to think about when playing harp: hand position, tone, dynamics, expression, rhythm, posture — not to mention playing the right notes. I admire people who can also sing on top of all that.

  • Katharina Kleidosty

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    I’m a violinist and was just starting to get back into regular orchestra work after taking a break for a few years when my kids were little, when the first lockdown hit. My country went into lockdown just two days before I was supposed to play in a big concert. All my ongoing and upcoming projects were cancelled. I lost all motivation to practise my violin, and even though I managed to play a few projects in the summer, it was so difficult to get work that I decided to look for a second possible career. I eventually found a course for music therapy, but to get in I’d have to learn guitar, oud or harp as my main instrument. I decided on the harp because that was my favourite out of the three choices, and I’m so glad I did! (I’m actually just about to send in my finished application! Wish me luck!)

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    Anything, really. I love Celtic, classical, meditative contemporary original harp music, and arrangements of contemporary songs.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    Successfully get into the music therapy course, work on my sight-reading, and become more confident in my technique.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    It’s just such a relaxing sound! And it sounds nice right from the start, even as a complete beginner.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    This is the most supportive and positive musical community I’ve ever been in, and I’m glad to be here! ?

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      @katharina.kleidosty I recognize your name from one of Christy-Lyn’s videos. Now that I’ve mentioned it, here’s a link so everyone doesn’t need to go hunting, https://youtu.be/-SB80JIFhkM . You’ve done amazingly well for such a short amount of time with the harp.

      Music therapy is an awesome goal, and I’m sure you’ll do great at it. You have such a solid foundation. There isn’t a Music Therapy forum here yet. I’ll tag @Christy-Lyn , and maybe the team can consider adding one in the next forum update.

  • Virginia Carrion

    Member
    2 March, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    Hi Everyone.

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp? I always wanted to learn to play an instrument. I liked the piano but the harp won me over after watching a video on someone playing it. It just sounded so magical and looked so beautiful.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music? I enjoy contemporary and classic music.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021? I’m totally beginner so I want to be able to read music, play with both hands and learn some songs.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp? It is just beautiful and fill relaxed and transported to a peaceful place.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add? I’m hoping to learn how to play the harp to meet new friends in this community, and share beautiful music.

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 11:28 pm

      @virginia.carrion So far, you’re one of three people who have mentioned contemporary music in this thread. I really don’t know enough about it. I have this preconceived idea that contemporary would involve difficult rhythms and too many accidentals for a lever harp. Maybe I’m mixing up terms and thinking of avant garde instead. Help me out here… What type of contemporary music do you like? If you mean compositions by Christy-Lyn Marais or Anne Crosby Gaudet, for example, then I’m right there with you.

  • Amy Newson

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 1:45 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp? I’m a Celtophile, and harp seemed less daunting than bagpipes. (Mostly kidding.)

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music? Celtic. ?

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021? Practice at least 3x a week, and be patient with starting with simple tunes so that I can progress with good technique.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp? Making beautiful sounds.

    • Judiann

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 11:42 pm

      @amy.newson Between harp and bagpipes, you definitely made the right choice. Your family thanks you, and your neighbors thank you. ?

      About practicing 3 times per week, good for you. That’s a realistic goal. On the weeks that you manage more often than that, you can feel good about yourself. It’s a better way to approach it, instead of someone setting a goal of 7 days per week. If that person missed one day, she would feel like she failed, even though she put in 6 good days.

      • AnnJeannette Mead

        Member
        13 March, 2021 at 6:11 am

        @judiann.maddigan This is just the wisdom I needed to hear! I’m one of those people who tries every day to play the harp and I give myself flexibility maybe once a week to skip a day, but it’s hard to keep that up with a busy work schedule too. Even just 15 minutes is meaningful, but if I don’t play for an hour daily I feel disappointed in myself, but I should be proud of myself 😆

      • Amy Newson

        Member
        21 March, 2021 at 4:11 am

        Thanks @judiann.maddigan ! I’ve learned a couple of things from my decades of trying to get a handle on my health – reasonable goals and wiggle room are key! 😉

    • Tiffany Schaefer

      Member
      13 March, 2021 at 7:37 pm

      Hello fellow Celtophile! Those are some great goals. Good luck!

      • Amy Newson

        Member
        21 March, 2021 at 4:12 am

        Thanks Tiffany!

  • Kate Adkins

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 2:19 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp? It has always been a dream of mine since I was about 7 or 8. I heard a CD of harp music and fell instantly in love. I begged my Mom to let me learn the harp instead of the Piano, but we already had a Piano and my Mom’s idea of a harp was the big concert grand pedal harps that cost upwards of $10k. Needless to say, it was piano lessons for me. Then, in high-school, I came across a website that sold lever harps. My parents very generously bought me my Harpsicle for a graduation gift and that is how it started.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music? I love early music and Celtic music. However, I have also listened to some Rock covers on the harp that are absolutely amazing.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021? I want to be able to stick to a regular practice routine. So far, my practice times have been pretty sporadic and I feel like I haven’t really advanced past the early beginner phase. I also want to get a good grasp on technique and be able to play some more complex pieces.

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp? The sound, most of all. I love how the harp sounds good even if all you do is pluck a few strings. The harp is a very versatile instrument, too, so it is a great tool when you want to be creative. There are so many special effects and extended techniques one can do with the harp. And, lastly, I don’t know if anyone can relate, but there is a sense of freedom and exhilaration that comes when playing or singing a song that you know well and love.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?I’m sure it will be a lot of fun reading through the answers to these questions. Each of us probably has a unique approach to why we decided to learn the harp and what we hope to accomplish. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and I’m very excited to be apart of this new community of fellow harp enthusiasts.

    • AnnJeannette Mead

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:37 am

      I can definitely relate to that goal for regular practice times! Keeping a schedule can be difficult sometimes since life can get spontaneous and sporadic. ? What a wonderful graduation gift that must have been!

    • Judiann

      Member
      11 March, 2021 at 5:25 pm

      @KateEliza What a wonderful graduation gift.

      “I don’t know if anyone can relate, but there is a sense of freedom and exhilaration that comes when playing or singing a song that you know well and love.”


      You’ve given me something to think about there. I don’t yet have that sense of freedom you’re talking about 🤔. Maybe it’s because I’m mostly still using sheet music. I’m concentrating on so many of the technical aspects of playing, I forget to just relax and enjoy it.

    • Tiffany Schaefer

      Member
      13 March, 2021 at 7:42 pm

      I wonder how many of us started on piano! Once I found an old tape of myself playing a flowy, child-like “composition” on piano which little me had titled “the harp.” Prophetic? Lol

  • Victoria Johnson

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 3:04 am

    Hi everyone! 🙂

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    I wanted my kids to have music literacy but I was remembered by how much I did not enjoy my own music lessons when I was little. I decided to involve my older kid in the decision making and she choose the harp after checking out a couple of instruments. I learned to play the harp to help her practice, but I eventually ended up taking lessons as well since I would like to play more advance pieces.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    I love listening to all kinds of harp music: Celtic, contemporary, (some) classical. As a harp player I tend to gravitate towards pieces that are fast tempo and lively.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    There are a few pieces of music that I wanted to tackle in 2021. I started most of them in 2020 but they are quite tricky. I would like to continue to spend time on them and get good at playing them by the end of this year. I also started a project called Talking Harps with two other harp friends. The first feature segment is an interview series called Harp Connections, and I will be following the social chains of the harpists in our lives to talk about their work. Producing content for the Talking Harps YouTube channel is a big harp-related focus for me in 2021. 🙂

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I enjoy expressing myself through music, and the harp is the most suitable instrument for me. It is also a way for me to pick up where I left off with my musical training and build on my piano education. Learning and playing the harp also combine my love of music and desire to learn something new every day.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I don’t know any adult harp learners in my area, but through Christy-Lyn’s group I am able to connect with other adult harp learners who share the same love of harp. The sense of community I got from being in the group has been instrumental in keeping me motivated and encouraged in my harp journey. I look forward to growing and learning with everyone here!

    • Judiann

      Member
      11 March, 2021 at 10:29 pm

      @victoria.johnson Congratulations on launching the Talking Harps channel on YouTube. I just watched your first Josh Layne interview. Nice job. You came up with some good questions for him. It was interesting to hear that even professionals can take up to a full year to develop a new piece. Looking forward to watching your future interviews.

      • Victoria Johnson

        Member
        13 March, 2021 at 10:33 pm

        @judiann.maddigan thank you very much for your message. I had a lot of interesting conversations and learned a lot in the interviews I have done so far. Hope you will continue enjoy watching the interviews as well! 🙂

  • AnnJeannette Mead

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 5:07 am

    Hello everyone! I thought I would chime in and share too, because it seems like a fun idea, a fun way to possibly meet some lovely harpists ?

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    I wanted first wanted to play when I was young but did not have the opportunity. When I graduated high school I thought maybe I would buy a harp and learn but then realized the timing was not good then with starting college and taking on a lot of other responsibilities. Now I’m 24 and done with grad school so I finally have some time to dedicate to learning!

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    I find I am drawn to recognizable songs, and Celtic or Irish music. I grew up watching a lot of musicals so I would love to someday play songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Titanic, and The Wizard of Oz.

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    To start learning and see how much I can absorb. To continue with weekly harp lessons for at least three months (though I know they can be expensive) and to do independent learning too. I’m trying to play everyday for at least 30 minutes, but my goal is 5/7 days a week minimum. My practice sessions often end up going for longer than an hour because I’m really enjoying it! Another goal is to continue renting for a few months, and then to buy my very first harp!

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    I really enjoy that feeling of flow, being in the moment and focused on the music. That feeling of accomplishment when I learn something new or when I can play through a piece of music I love without too many mistakes.

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I am very new to the harp, I just started playing with the beginning of February. I see a local harpist for lessons weekly and I currently have a rental. I’m hoping to eventually buy 2 harps: one larger floor harp with as many strings as possible (34-38) and full high quality levers, and one smaller harp I could use for travel and eventually for harp therapy. I likely will end up with a Dusty Strings, because I live north of Seattle in Washington State and the Dusty Strings main location is right there in Freemont. I visited their main store and they seem to put a lot of love into those harps! But I would ideally like to find a high quality used harp (less than 6-7 years old) to save some money and give a used instrument a loving home.

    • Victoria Johnson

      Member
      3 March, 2021 at 6:36 am

      Hi Annette! I am about 230 km to the North in Canada, and I had the opportunity to the Dusty Strings’ store after I purchased a harp from them through a local harp shop. I agree with you that they seem to put a lot of love into their harps! Dusty sells used harps too; I saw a couple of those on the floor during my visit and they have been posting photos of used harps for sale on their Facebook page. I would keep an eye out for a used Dusty if you liked their harps!

      • AnnJeannette Mead

        Member
        3 March, 2021 at 8:04 am

        Thanks Victoria! I will take a look at their Facebook, didn’t realize till now they even had a Facebook!!

    • Judiann

      Member
      12 March, 2021 at 11:26 pm

      @annette.mead You are so lucky to live that close to Dusty Strings. It would be awesome to visit their showroom and hear all their harps in person 😍. While there are online recordings of the sounds of various woods, that doesn’t compare to being in the same room and experiencing them.

      • AnnJeannette Mead

        Member
        13 March, 2021 at 5:43 am

        I agree, in person is the best. When I went to pick up my rental from them I got to walk around the showroom and see all their harps, but I would love a harp tasting. I haven’t heard them all played in person.

  • Wendy Dooley

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 11:06 am

    1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?

    As an adult I heard a harp record and instantly was inspired to learn, but..if only I could afford one! I certainly couldn’t even afford lessons and hadn’t heard of any harpists, ever, in or around where I lived. In fact there were none. So I reluctantly shelved the idea for decades.

    2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?

    Anything that suits the harp!

    3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?

    To improve technique, learn more beautiful pieces and share the joy!

    4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?

    It’s therapy for the soul! I love the feeling of utter fulfillment in playing, the beautiful sounds that are produced. So many people have never heard a solo harp, let alone up close, and they are blown away!

    5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    Yes, Christy-Lyn’s videos have been a godsend to me. I don’t have a teacher as there were none where I lived. Also the internet dropped out regularly so it was no use getting a camcorder… so I am extremely grateful for the video lessons that I did manage to download.

    • Judiann

      Member
      12 March, 2021 at 11:40 pm

      “It’s therapy for the soul! I love the feeling of utter fulfillment in playing, the beautiful sounds that are produced. So many people have never heard a solo harp, let alone up close, and they are blown away!”

      @wendy.dooley You’ve said that so well. 💗

      I bet a lot of members in this community agree with you.

  • Wendy Dooley

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Hello again! I just wanted to add that I love the fact that we can encourage one another here on this site, share tips, and feel part of a harp community who share our passion!

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