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

  • Judiann

    Member
    12 March, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    “Any tips on overcoming my lack of commitment/desire to play would really be appreciated!”


    @tanya.stephens We could probably write an entire thread on that topic. Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way, which may or may not apply to your situation.

    1. Solve any issues with your physical setup, for example: Is the lighting adequate? Is the music stand positioned correctly? Is your chair at the right height? If it’s a lap harp, would a stand help?

    2. Tune your harp. If it hasn’t been played for a while, it’s out of tune.

    3. Start a practice journal to track your progress.

    4. Get a timer, or use an app on your phone. Set it for only 10 minutes to start. Knowing you have a limited amount of time will focus your attention. After 10 minutes, get up and do something else for a while, then come back to it again. Gradually increase the time.

    5. Find one new piece of music that you really want to learn. Break it down into small, manageable chunks. Begin by working on only the first chunk, which might be 2 measures long. Don’t move to the next chunk until you can play the first one smoothly.

    6. If you don’t feel like reading music, improvise. Christy-Lyn recently did a livestream explaining how, and it is totally fun to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Fa2RVAma8

    Please report back and let us know how your practice sessions are going. We are all interested now.