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Proper Position???
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Home › Forums › Teaching the Harp › Proper Position???

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • August 1, 2008 at 10:11 pm #86682
    unknown-user
    Participant

    Hi. I’m hoping someone will help me. I’m playing bass octaves open handed, and I’m not sure if I’m doing it right (I’ve never done this before). Should I use 1-4 fingering or 1-3? It seems like I always overreach when I try 1-4. My lesson isn’t until next week, and my teacher is unavailable, so any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Barb

    August 1, 2008 at 10:13 pm #86683
    unknown-user
    Participant

    Ooops – sorry this question posted twice. It looked as if it hadn’t been posted, so I tried again!

    August 2, 2008 at 1:52 am #86684
    jennifer-buehler
    Member

    The thing I would suggest is to make sure that your elbow is dropped.

    August 2, 2008 at 2:21 am #86685
    barbara-brundage
    Participant

    FWIW, the current thinking on this generally seems to be that it’s okay to use either 3 or 4 as long as you don’t use both, but there are some schools of playing that are stricter than others about which is acceptable.

    August 2, 2008 at 2:22 am #86686
    barbara-brundage
    Participant

    as you don’t use both = as long as you don’t use both

    August 2, 2008 at 10:03 am #86687
    zoraida-avila
    Participant

    Barb,

    For begining in the bass octaves practice, is better to play them with all fingers you can. Is the second one is so longer than others you can use all 3. The most important matter is to place the hand flat and relaxed on the strings and play closing it completely. When you have learned the gesture you will be able to play the octaves with one or another finger. I hope it helps you. Good luck!

    Zoraida

    August 2, 2008 at 2:38 pm #86688
    unknown-user
    Participant

    Thanks so much to all of you. I really appreciate the advice – it helps a lot!

    Barb

    August 2, 2008 at 10:58 pm #86689
    diane-michaels
    Participant

    Along with the dropped elbow, there is an angle to the hand that helps with octaves in the open position.

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