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Post by Zi on Feb 18, 2023 9:03:28 GMT
I'm not even on tunes yet! I'm getting better at reading the bass clef though and the treble. As I say, I see the treble clef as fingerings of the recorder not as notes so it isn't much help with the harp! I'm still practising plucking strings and closing the hand afterwards - this is with one finger on each had. I don't think the forum should think about selling tickets to hear me yet!  Didn't do much yesterday as we decided to put the several piles of wood chip (from having trees down) on the paths going out to the orchard, woodland walk and veg plot. I did the 'woodland walk'... and that took long enough. So, yesterday only the recorder got a look in and that was the Prins Robberts thing - the rhythm is at least making sense now... |
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Post by Misty on Mar 2, 2023 18:24:17 GMT
I'm still practising plucking strings and closing the hand afterwards
That's something I still need to work on! But after a really terrible 10 days (a whole other story) during which I didn't touch the harp except to move it around the study when it was in my way, The Spider's Hornpipe is definitely falling into place. I guess that's progress of a sort.
I'm afraid recorder didn't get a look in today as I was practising flute for Church on Sunday.... and stressing about a whole load of other stuff. 
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Post by Zi on Mar 2, 2023 18:48:47 GMT
I'm treating the plucking, closing hand thing like getting a nice sound from the recorder and I hope that one day it will pay off... I still don't have any recognisable tunes. I remember dorfmouse used to say that playing the harp isn't easy for anyone so I assume it will be harder for me!  The Spider's Hornpipe sounds like it should be fun! I'm sorry about the bad days and the stress. I hope they resolve asap if they haven't already. I don't know what else to say. Just don't use other things to beat yourself up with! Try to be nice to you. Find some treats for getting through the bad and the stress. Anything to make you feel better. I remember you like frogs so maybe this will bring a smile! 🐸 Re flute - It's nice to know you're playing that again!  |
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Post by Misty on Mar 2, 2023 19:23:06 GMT
I'm treating the plucking, closing hand thing like getting a nice sound from the recorder and I hope that one day it will pay off... I still don't have any recognisable tunes. I remember dorfmouse used to say that playing the harp isn't easy for anyone so I assume it will be harder for me! The Spider's Hornpipe sounds like it should be fun! I'm sorry about the bad days and the stress. I hope they resolve asap if they haven't already. I don't know what else to say. Just don't use other things to beat yourself up with! Try to be nice to you. Find some treats for getting through the bad and the stress. Anything to make you feel better. I remember you like frogs so maybe this will bring a smile! 🐸 Re flute - It's nice to know you're playing that again! 
Maybe if you like spiders.... 
I was thinking about stand positioning when I practised (harp) today. When I say I put it on the left, I mean on the left side of the harp, but it's actually in front of me rather than to the left of me (if that makes sense).
I just looked back at the beginning of this thread where you mentioned Play the Harp Beautifully. What do you think of it as a starting point, and its rate of progression?
Edit: Thanks for the frog. I will put it in the garden pond with the others! It's a bit cold, but I'm sure it will settle in there happily and make friends!
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Post by Zi on Mar 2, 2023 21:22:26 GMT
I don't mind spiders!
I think my stand is in the same kind of position, if I've understood you correctly. It's drifted to that position over time as I tried to get it in a good place.
I'm not far through Play The Harp Beautifully so I'll take a look at it tomorrow and give you a summary of it. I seem to remember that I came to the conclusion it was the best book for me to use. I prefer to go slowly and speed up over some things if necessary rather than think that I haven't spent long enough on something. I do remember a harp teacher saying somewhere that really beginners needed to go over the same ground a lot but the problem was it got boring for them. But maybe that's true of many/most/all musical instruments...
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Post by Zi on Mar 3, 2023 17:43:02 GMT
Misty - You asked about Play The Harp Beautifully by Pamela Bruner so here is a synopsis.
It's described as a self-teaching book and doesn't assume there is a teacher. I've noticed that some self-teaching material at some point does assume there's access to an expert.
pp 87
It's wire bound.
This is the level 1 book. The first chapter is about the harp - names the parts, tuning, how to sit at it etc. It covers both small lap harps and large harps. Chapter 2 introduces the first notes - C, B, D, A, E - it starts off with just one finger on each hand but then introduces the second finger. It expects use of both hands but tends to require one at a time. Chapter 3 introduces the use of the thumb. Chapter 4 covers placing and brackets and two new notes - G and F. Chapter 5 introduces overlapping brackets and 3rds. Chapter 6 adds the third finger and talks about developing a repertoire. Chapter 7 is about mixing and matching what the left and right hands do. It discusses practising and introduces 5ths and 6ths. It goes on to examine triads and contrary motion. Chapter 8 adds the fourth finger.
Each chapter ends with a check list so you can make sure you've learned what was being covered. There's a repertoire list for you to keep at the end of the book and then pp 68 onwards are about rhythm, reading music, notation etc etc. Obviously that won't be of use to you Misty because you already know it but anyone who had no prior knowledge of music would be able to work from the book. There are also DVDs to accompany the books but I haven't bought those.
I like this book - it comes over as kind and I like the check list to reassure me that I have got as far as I need to in that chapter. However, I think you are quite a bit ahead of where I am so you might not find the kind of material you want in the level 1 book. I can't remember if I have level 2 or not - it depends on how optimistic I was feeling at the time I bought level 1.
If this doesn't help tell me what you'd like to know and I'll do my best.
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Post by Misty on Mar 4, 2023 16:43:41 GMT
Misty - You asked about Play The Harp Beautifully by Pamela Bruner so here is a synopsis. It's described as a self-teaching book and doesn't assume there is a teacher. I've noticed that some self-teaching material at some point does assume there's access to an expert. pp 87 It's wire bound. This is the level 1 book. The first chapter is about the harp - names the parts, tuning, how to sit at it etc. It covers both small lap harps and large harps. Chapter 2 introduces the first notes - C, B, D, A, E - it starts off with just one finger on each hand but then introduces the second finger. It expects use of both hands but tends to require one at a time. Chapter 3 introduces the use of the thumb. Chapter 4 covers placing and brackets and two new notes - G and F. Chapter 5 introduces overlapping brackets and 3rds. Chapter 6 adds the third finger and talks about developing a repertoire. Chapter 7 is about mixing and matching what the left and right hands do. It discusses practising and introduces 5ths and 6ths. It goes on to examine triads and contrary motion. Chapter 8 adds the fourth finger. Each chapter ends with a check list so you can make sure you've learned what was being covered. There's a repertoire list for you to keep at the end of the book and then pp 68 onwards are about rhythm, reading music, notation etc etc. Obviously that won't be of use to you Misty because you already know it but anyone who had no prior knowledge of music would be able to work from the book. There are also DVDs to accompany the books but I haven't bought those. I like this book - it comes over as kind and I like the check list to reassure me that I have got as far as I need to in that chapter. However, I think you are quite a bit ahead of where I am so you might not find the kind of material you want in the level 1 book. I can't remember if I have level 2 or not - it depends on how optimistic I was feeling at the time I bought level 1. If this doesn't help tell me what you'd like to know and I'll do my best.
Thanks, Zi, that's really helpful. I'm wondering if it might be a good investment given the multiple layers of rust I have accumulated. Sometimes my fingers get tangled up, so perhaps re-introducing them one at a time would force them into submission (and also improve my hand shape). It would certainly be good for my left hand, and I also like the idea of the checklist and the wire binding. I will have a wee look online.
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Post by Zi on Mar 5, 2023 9:06:01 GMT
If someone absolutely forced me to just suggest one book, then I'd likely suggest this one. I'm not sure if I have the next level. I'll have a look. When I bought the books my plan was to be able to play carols and simple folk songs so I may well never have bought beyond the first level. It is definitely aimed at those who don't have access to a teacher. The vids are probably very useful but I seem to remember they were quite expensive so when I bought the book I thought I'd see how I got on with that and once again life overtook me and the vids became irrelevant. Also, I think going over stuff again is useful. I've been forced to do that with the recorder on several occasions again because life does that and all it's meant is that finally somethings have become part of me. Indeed, I do occasionally make myself zoom through the tutor books until I get 'stuck' then I know what is and isn't secure. edit - for once I seem to have been sensible and I didn't buy beyond level 1. At least I had realistic expectations! |
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