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Yes, I did Laurie Rileys program when she was here in San Antonio about 10 years ago – I also completed a Vitas Hospice program about the same time – I had already been playing informally in some hospice and aids situations and the overall information was nice to know – however,
Thanks so much, Emily! I really do have a very good teacher. One thing I’m curious about is whether you are always supposed to close all fingers into your hand after playing a note, or if that is just for chords and slow pieces? I was also only using my index finger this time but maybe it’s just a matter of introducing one finger at a time. As far as closing, I’m guessing you just close as much as you have time to before the next note? I was looking on you tube to see how different people play, and I didn’t find anyone who closed all their fingers every time. It doesn’t seem possible, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I had a lot of trouble at first getting my thumbs up and then down like they are supposed to go, but after doing some practicing away from the strings I feel like I’ve finally trained my fingers to do it. I’m sure it’s just going to take more practice. I still can’t get over how beautiful the harp sounded in person.
Recordings really don’t do it justice!Becky
Michael,
How exciting that you’re getting a harp!! My lesson was pretty much just a taste test to hold me over until I can get a harp and take regular lessons (at least at the beginning). I am the SAME way–I was determined to learn on my own, but I’m realizing that I am going to need help, at least at first. It is more difficult than I expected, but also more beautiful! I’d say go ahead and set up your first lesson now just so you know what to expect, and you can always practice hand positions in the air until you get a harp. Three weeks is no time at all!
I’m hoping I will be able to take a college class here that starts in September, and then I can at least continue learning until I get my own harp. I guess I’m just going to have a few harpless periods in between the lesson I just had and the college class, and then the college class and getting my own harp! Hopefully they will go by quickly and I won’t forget what I learn!
Anyway, I will definitely keep you and everyone else posted. Please do the same, and good luck to you!
Becky
Congratulations, Becky! It sounds like you’ve gotten a great teacher–a blend of professionalism and sympathy.
Michael; I felt the same way as you, being a ‘do-it-myself’ type of person. However, When I was doing myself I played very badly; my technique (nonexistent) stood in the way of progressing. Once I started taking lessons I began progressing extremely quickly. Now I only go every once in a while for a checkup.
I’d really encourage you to take lessons, at least until you’ve established a firm technical foundation.
Good luck both!
My eyes have always been a problem, far sighted from and early age. So I suppose I’ve never really looked at the upper register of my harp. I also had a couple of teachers that discouraged looking in the upper anyway, and taught me to play mostly by feel. I tend to just look at the bottom note of my right hand, and the rest is by feel. Sometimes one has to look and yep, I do have to pull a bit sideways to see.
I have tried specs, but they do not work for me seeing the conductor and the bass register too. I suppose when it gets worse I will either play with my eyes shut (do an O’Carolan) or go for bi focals!Cheers.
Hey BB and B–
Having once financed through Allegro, I’d add to Briggsy’s post on Allegro that the intrest calculation for payoff gets a little tricky if you choose to
Great list, for high school/youth orchestra I’d add Mahler 1, Mussorgsky Night on Bare Mountain, Vaughan Williams Greensleeves and maybe also the Wasps. Elgar Sea Pictures (with mezzo soprano though).
Interesting…I’ll try that immediately…using the lower arm and less wrist. I’m always keen to add new colours to my palate..so to speak. And yes, loads of wrist tends to have a bright crystalline quality, but can be a bit light. So, thanks so much – I’ll definitely give it a burl!
