Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I think that is where releasing the hand too soon is a liability as it lets the sound die off sooner than necessary. It should happen right away with the intention of sustaining the sound; I was shown to release back to the playing position of the notes just played and to raise with the hand in that fashion. I know one Salzedo student who opens outward, which has a very rich quality, but lacks forward thrust. It depends on what you are playing and where. The use of releasing, I was taught, was only for the most advanced players, who know how to sustain tone.
A student who has an interest in music that is not limited to harp playing, a student who can grow and improve, who learns and absorbs from their teacher, (the best student is like a sponge), one who has determination, vision, stubborness when needed, a great ear and comprehension of music, time to practice; and parents who provide what’s needed without being intrusive, critical or judgemental (leave that to the teacher), who believe in culture and music and think it is important and worth prioritizingt, who realize it is a long process, and hopefully they might know some of the “right” people. Having some money helps, but the other qualities are the most important. Parents who don’t prioritize education or music, who are critical, judgemental, unwilling to learn and grow, cheap, competitive with their children, selfish, and what else can get in the way. It would be interesting if there was a show called Child Swap along with Wife Swap, except both concepts are kind of horrible.
On the other hand, the best teacher is inspiring, leading, understanding, sensitive, tough, demanding, realistic, and is knowledgable, artistic, with good taste and discrimination.
Practicing. Making the harp a priority, taking a real interest in it. Respecting their teacher and implementing their suggestions.
More simply, if you build it, it will come. Build the right first section and the second will come, maybe not right away, or when you want it, but keep starting pieces and eventually you’ll add on to them.
Some methods of development: variation, manipulating the ideas in the first, addition and extension. Contrast can be arrived at by simply changing key or mode from major to minor, or another related area.
For composing, you might read books about the Gershwins, where there is much discussion about the craft and composing the b sections. All music is based on the song form.
“In Scandinavia the harp was viewed as an instrument for noblemen only. A commoner found to play the harp was condemned to death.” -http://www.harp4joy.com/history.html
Obviously I was just giving a harpist stereotype and this stereotype isn’t true 100 percent of the time unfortunately for us.
Yeah, It’s easy for me to come up with a good A section, but i have difficulty writing a “contrasting but complimentary” B section that ties in with the A.
Hi! My name is Anna and I am a beginner in Fort Collins too! What type of harps do you guys play?
Anna
