Lever Harp and Accidentals–GGRRR!

[Nelleke Kerkhoff]

Hello all.

[paul-knoke]

Hi Nelleke

I, too, am starting to play lever harp for the first time. When I
started harp lessons, more years ago than I will admit, my teacher
started me on pedal harp. So I understand the problems of adapting to
levers! I’ve found it helpful to try to flip levers on the beat. This
keeps my movements rhythmic and seems to disrupt the music less. I
hope this tip helps you!

Cheers, Paul

[patricia-jaeger]

Hello! There is so much published music these days for lever harp that needs few levers, or none at all. Don’t try to play Debussy or other composers where it is vital to have many accidentals in the piece. Get the catalogs from Melody’s (Houston) and Sylvia Woods(Glendale, CA) and circle things you like; then talk to the store representative on the 800 number, whether those items have two or more lever changes per page; they know their stock very well. Kim Robertson’s Celtic Christmas collection, is quite a challenge for the left hand, for example, with hardly a lever. Your hand skills will increase with the right music choices. If later you have a pedal harp, then you can indulge in more composed repertoire. Until then, polish your finger skills by working in increasingly more challenging lever harp books.Go to http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk and request a free copy, either in print or to download from computer, “Technical Development for Harpists,” by Danielle Perrett. You will benefit by working through levels 1 through 8, of exercises which will bring up your skill level on either lever or pedal harp. Enjoy! Patricia Jaeger

[unknown-user]

Paul is exactly right.

[Author]

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