Making an even sound

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This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 1 month ago by unknown-user.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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March 17, 2008 at 6:10 am #163190

aglaia-t
Participant

Hi!

I just started playing the harp and my teacher keeps saying that the sound I produce is uneven. Does anyone have any tips on attaing this except for “keep practicing”?

March 17, 2008 at 10:53 am #163191

Briggsie B. Peawiggle
Participant

Did you ask your teacher for some ideas too? I hope you did. If you are just starting, of COURSE your playing is uneven. I’m hoping that when your teacher tells you this (s)he gives you some ideas for correcting it as well.

March 17, 2008 at 2:15 pm #163192

tony-morosco
Participant

Briggsie’s advice is spot on.

On harp playings the notes of scales is very easy in any key, unlike the piano. However what makes scales hard on harp is playing them evenly, so focus on that. Start trying simply to keep the loudness and tone same though out. Later on practice playing scales in cressendo and decrescendo. When you start paying attention to what causes the loudness to change you automatically start learning how to keep it even as well.

And the Salzedo exercises are great for this kind of thing as well, but start with scales. Also runs or arpeggios. In fact if I recall correctly when I needed to focus on this my teacher had me playing arpeggios before scales.

We all have this problem at first so don’t feel bad about it. Just keep practicing and working on it and you will eventually develop full control over the dynamics of your playing.

March 18, 2008 at 8:00 am #163193

aglaia-t
Participant

Thank you so much, to the both of you, for your advice!! 😀

March 19, 2008 at 5:05 am #163194

Audrey Nickel
Participant

The only thing I can add to this excellent advice is be patient, and go easy on yourself.

March 19, 2008 at 7:41 pm #163195

Irene C
Participant

Hi,

March 19, 2008 at 9:02 pm #163196

unknown-user
Participant

Irene- I think you make an excellent point. The term “uneven” doesn’t mean anything in music unless it’s attached to something else. Rhythm-tempo-tone-volume? I think the first step towards improving the “even” sound is to find out what your teacher is describing. Then the teacher can select the elements that need to be practiced to increase more even _________. That’s what she’s being paid for!

March 20, 2008 at 3:40 am #163197

unknown-user
Participant

I just had to jump in to say…

Thank you everyone so much for, first -all the excellent questions, and secondly for the well thought-out answers.
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