What’s the best methods book for a late beginner?

[Claire Lécuyer]

Hi Marilyn, you can have a look at this discussion: https://www.learningtheharp.com/forums/discussion/anyone-learing-from-books/

I replied in this one without seeing that it was in the category “Never played an instrument before”, but no matter, there have been a lot on advices there. But I’m interested too if some people have an answer to your specific request, as I’m a late beginner too.

Anyone learing from books?

[Annais Ryder]

Grossi Method and Deborah Friou excercises!

[Sheila Spitzak]

I have heard these two exercise books are good.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to learn grace notes?

[Sally Snyder]

Yes ! I love Grossi & Friou ! Also, even though I’m not taking lessons from a Suzuki-certified instructor, I still use the books because they very nicely progress with each tune. Currently on Book 2.

[Mary Frank]

Hi Marilyn,

I found the Grossi Method book to be helpful in technique exercises. There is even an online youTube channel by Therese Honey (spelling?) who will show you how the exercises are done. I have the Pamela Bruner book and I love how it’s organized but I haven’t had a chance to use it because I’m taking courses online and learning techniques from the online tutorials. There’s also the Betty Paret book, “Learning the Harp” that might be useful to you. I hope that helps.

[JS Moir]

Hey, Marilyn. Yeah. Well, I’ve tried a LOT of books: Bruner (good, but nothing beats a real teacher- even with her DVD’s- and yeah, there are some ‘holes’ in the technique that plagued me, and kept me ‘stuck’ for months, it seemed); Grossi (good, but necessary/tedious/boring- but, if you can find a used copy, worth it); and Deb Friou’s book (which is more like a manual to keep your chops in order, AFTER you get them- lol. FWIW, I am working through the Dilling “Old Tunes for New Harpists” right now as my ‘go to book’- primarily because I did the online “Harp Course I & II” with the wonderful Alice Giles (best money I ever spent, apart from getting my Salvi Diana, used!) – and Alice starts out with that Dilling book. What I like about it (oh, did I say I’m a college Music [voice] instructor?) is that all the pieces a) build on one another, very simply, and b) by going back and ‘warming’ up on the earlier pieces, you reinforce the technical points. They also are c) very short excerpts- combining both folk and ‘classical’ pieces, that are PRETTY. That sense of repetition/reinforcement means you feel a sense of ‘accomplishment’ when you ‘get’ one piece, and go on to the next. I could go on for a lot longer, but…. well, hope this helps.

[Libby Hitchcock]

i too am in a similar learning spot and while I have an instructor I do find I gleam so much more with books and videos. Thanks for making this post! and thank you @mary.frank & @js.moir for the YouTube and Alice Giles recommendations! I am looking forward to checking them out.

[Marilyn Millstone]

So grateful for the time you took to craft such a thoughtful reply. Thank you!

[Camilla Prater]

I love ‘Levers Up! Thumbs Up!’ by Kathy Moore!

[Unknown Member]

So do I !

[Jeannie P]

I really like Anne Crosby Gaudet’s music and books. Very straight forward and one step at a time.

[Anita]

@marilyn.millstone

Hi, Marilyn. I am a great fan of the Grossi Method book and use it with the metronome; first VERY SLOWLY and then speed up to get the fingers fast and similiar replaced. Then I use for finger strenghening Betty Paret book, “Learning the Harp” and GOOD SOUND!! Because my harp teacher told me VERY FIRST you squeze….and then you play LOUD each note, then with metronome. By Betty there are also nice pieces to learn to play as told before and you build up in playing them later without a metronome (you have the rhythm inside you) counting loud while playing, then leave that when you are good in it and NOW you play the piece as you LOVE to sound it (fast, slower, loud, soft etc.) – In a few month I gonna load up a video to show HOW MUCH I improved my playing with that technique. – Then I will carry on with that technique with the videos from CL!!! – My dream is to build up a repetoire to play anytime memorized. That is one of the reason while I work now deeply on my technique.

Believe me, Marilyn, it is worth to concern about the technique. I am on a piece VERY VERY CHALLENGING for me, but NOW with this technique as written below, I have improved faster in WEEKS than I have before in months…..

So, ALL THE BEST in your harpjourney and GOOD🍀❤

[Victoria Johnson]

Not a “method book” but a technical exercise book designed for the lever harp. Very thoughtfully put together. I will be releasing a Harp Toolbox episodes soon on The Talking Harps YouTube channel where Ailie walks us through one of the exercises and how to adjust it as our techniques grow: https://www.ailierobertson.com/harp-music-shop/technical-exercises-for-harp-pdf-download-preorder

[Elisabeth Alston]

Check out Yolanda kondonassis on playing the harp book

[Eileen Korby]

I am using “You Can Teach Yourself Lever Harp.” I like the way it is organized. It is not for complete beginners. It assumes you can read music and can play a melody line. That’s the starting point.

The organization of it is a little strange. You MUST read the introduction which tells you how they intend for you to use the book.

Each song is presented in two, three, or four versions. The first is just the melody line. You’re supposed to learn it well enough to have the fingering memorized. Then you move on to the next version which has some very basic harmony. You learn that, then move on to the next song, NOT the next version of that same song. You learn about six songs, melody and basic harmony. Then they want to you go back to the first song and learn version three with the more complex harmony. Then the next song, then the next – for those first six songs.

Then you go on to the next group of songs and do the same thing. I think the idea is to build up your left hand coordinating with the right step-by-step in stages. I like the way this book works, and it is just the right level for me to begin with.

It is for an early or mid-beginner, but not for a novice.