Harp Pedagogy

[harp-lady]

Does anyone know of a college in New York that teaches harp pedagogy classes? Or anywhere where I can study harp pedagogy? Or a book that details how to teach the harp? I studied harp performance in college but sadly there was no pedagogy classes. I have learned how to teach but I like to have a framework in which to work and feel most confident when I’ve been instructed on how to do something rather than learning by rote. Educators have to get their masters in learning HOW to teach before they can begin teaching in schools. I want to do that for the harp! I’ve read the Renie harp method and while it is very good, admittedly I sometimes find it difficult to clearly comprehend because it seems too complicated. I think during the time it was written this was probably the common vernacular but over time our written language has changed (for example, look at an original copy of a Nancy Drew novel from the 1920s then compare it to an edition of the same story from the 1960s – totally different!). Other harp methods that I’ve read don’t necessarily specify how to teach or structure a lesson. Any thoughts?

[carl-swanson]

How one teaches a private music lesson varies from student to student. The teacher has to have at his/her disposal an arsenal of approaches to choose from when dealing with an individual student. Some people have an innate ability to teach and get better and better at it as the years pass, and others have no ability to teach no matter how long they do it. In addition, very often even good teachers are good at teaching one level and not so good at teaching another. So this is something that is impossible to codify.

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

There are numerous published methods for the harp. Pedagogy comes from the teachers you study with, and help define one’s school of playing. It sounds like you need to continue your studies at the graduate level. Harp pedagogy is not so codified as piano pedagogy.

[erin-wood]

Susann McDonald has a new technique book and it does a great job updating the vernacular. It relies on the Renie book, but it is much more approachable. It is great for teaching teenagers and adults. The Harp Olympics series by Wood/McDonald are fabulous for kids. I love these books because they are slow paced which is really good for young kids especially. They also have three sections, theory, exercises, and solo pieces. This really helps structure the lesson so that you don’t neglect the essentials.

You could take a Suzuki workshop to really get pedagogy instruction, but I am not a big fan of the suzuki books, at least in the beginning.

I think becoming a good teacher takes a LOT of experience with different ages, different levels and different levels of commitment. I minored in pedagogy in my Masters performance degree, and while those classes were useful, I find that actually doing it is the best teacher.

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/50.0912.html

http://www.musicalonline.com/pedagogy.htm

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

I applaud you for recognizing the difference between playing well and teaching well. No matter how long you teach, you will keep learning new techniques as each student exhibits different challenges. It’s great that we can read up on teaching methods and ideas nowadays with the Internet.There are so many great books on the subject, as well, such as “A Soprano On Her Head” by Eloise Ristad.

[laura-stokes]

Peabody Conservatory has a growing Pedagogy department and offers a joint masters in performance and harp pedagogy. Taught by Dr. Ruth K. Inglefield (student of Grandjany).

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

I think of Inglefield as a pupil of Pierre Jamet, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t also study with Grandjany as well.

[loretta-o-driscoll]

Kathleen Bride teaches a Harp Pedagogy class to the harp majors at Eastman.

[Sherj DeSantis]

Have you looked at Crane School of Music, in Potsdam, NY? It is reputed to be quite a good school,

[harp-lady]

Excellent – thank you everyone for your replies! I have had over 10 years of harp instruction, including college instruction, but never has a teacher talked specifically about HOW to teach. I may go for a masters in performance/education to hone my pedagogy skills. I haven’t decided which school yet, but I will figure it out. I know that teaching is a skill which can be learned, and I also know that each student learns differently, so I will need a big back of teaching tricks. I’m looking forward to improving my knowledge so I can become a better teacher. 🙂

[Alison]

There is very interesting survey published by JYA Huang of University Canterbury, New Zealand, which crystalises the kinds of steps which I can recognise and do almost by second nature when learning new music and indeed have wondered about their usefulness when passing them onto pupils. The comparisons between French and Salzedo methods very useful. Plenty of scope for new ideas and technique, too long to print, so browse online. It reveals why learning new material can be such a slow processand reinforces the particular challenges of learning harp music. It’s aimed at advanced players but I had used a few already in teaching a 6 year old (before finding this) and had pondered on just how much method she can benefit from (such as two hands together, moving to next location quickly) and retain.

[Jerusha Amado]

Here is the link to Ms. Huang’s work, which was published in the format of a master’s thesis.

http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/6256/2/thesis_fulltext.pdf

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