Count out loud. It isn’t a childish thing to do. I’m a professional harpist and counting out loud helps me embody the music and strengthen my sense of rhythm.
—Deborah Henson-Conant, HCA master teacher
Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T.
featured guest: skaila kanga
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PRIZE WINNERS!
Mary Goss—a one-year subscription to Harp Column magazine
Monique Mignelli—a one-year membership to Harp Column Academy
Amethyst Clark—a $20 gift certificate to Harp Column Music
TUNE 3:
“Celtic Wedding Bells,” by Skaila Kanga
Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.
Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year’s challenge, or substitute something else!
Today’s Tip:
Use a metronome
Try the Penny Metronome Method to improve your rhythm or speed up your tempo. Here’s how it works: Take 10 pennies, a metronome, and a passage or phrase of music that you would like to speed up or improve rhythm. Start at a tempo that is so slow you are almost uncomfortable. Play it with the metronome successfully 10 times and move a penny from one side of your music stand to the other each time you complete the passage successfully. You can increase tempo each time you move a penny or you can increase the tempo only after you’ve moved all 10 pennies over. Make this your own exercise!
Learn More:
Using a metronome can level up your practice routine to strengthen rhythm and pulse. Learn more metronome tips in this HCA lesson from master teacher Deborah Henson-Conant.