I'm 76 and acquired my first harp just 3 weeks ago, after a lifetime's fascination. (Lapsed pianist and flute player) My fingers are arthritic and "French fries" are difficult - I achieve halfway twixt French and curly at present. However, I've been exercising my fingers at odd times throughout the day, and have found that that, along with my harp practise (30 mins/day) has already improved both the strength and flexibility of my hands, so I'm optimistic this will continue to improve. I'm totally in love with my harp and beyond happy that I took the plunge. ❤
Wow! That's wonderful to hear you've seen improvement with your hands! Congratulations on getting your first harp and diving in ♥ Such an exciting time! --Carrie
Just want to chime in as another arthritic harper! I first learned the lyre as a way to exercise my hands and upgraded recently to a 22-string lever harp because it’s been so helpful! I can see an improvement in my hands flexibility after about a month now, though the rest of my body is still adapting to the new movements and positioning.
I just bought a harp a few months ago. I also struggle a little with buzzing strings. I'm figuring out that if I place my fingers confidently on the next strings it helps. I love your videos Carrie and Christy Lyn Tresa
An easier piece allows one to get the basics. Otherwise to much to think about; at least for my little brain. I love going back to those earlier songs to see if i need to correct my playing and/or to enjoy the progress I've made. Thanks for this video - both of you❤
Brand new harpist here! I get buzzing when my fingers accidentally brush against a sounding string when searching for the correct string. My hands don't know spacing quite yet and sort of fumble into the gap between strings.
Hey Glen, Christy-Lyn here 😃👋🏻 When it comes to learning placing in the very beginning of your harp learning, I would encourage you to focus more on placing confidently and firmly, and don’t worry if there’s some buzzing. If you worry about buzzing and it causes you to be more hesitant in your placing, that will make things worse. So rather work on the underlying cause and solution, which is learning the spacing and muscle memory to place firmly and confidently 😊👍🏻 Hope that helps!
My nails grow in a way that I can’t cut them past the fingertip. I’ve always had this issue and it makes playing guitar difficult too (which is one of the reasons I’m switching to bass since you’re just supposed to play with the pads of your fingers on bass instead of your fingertips) I really took a chance getting a harp since I got mixed responses when asking if this would be an issue or not. One year later and I’ve mostly managed to play harp with **slightly** longer nails. Not saying it doesn’t affect my playing at all, my technique might be off in ways I’m not noticing, and I do deal with buzzing at times. But thankfully I’ve managed to the point that it doesn’t slow me down at least. My nails are a bit unusual so I’ve only seen one other person with my same issue (on guitar) and I wonder if anyone else relates.
I'm 76 and acquired my first harp just 3 weeks ago, after a lifetime's fascination. (Lapsed pianist and flute player) My fingers are arthritic and "French fries" are difficult - I achieve halfway twixt French and curly at present. However, I've been exercising my fingers at odd times throughout the day, and have found that that, along with my harp practise (30 mins/day) has already improved both the strength and flexibility of my hands, so I'm optimistic this will continue to improve. I'm totally in love with my harp and beyond happy that I took the plunge. ❤
Wow! That's wonderful to hear you've seen improvement with your hands! Congratulations on getting your first harp and diving in ♥ Such an exciting time! --Carrie
@@LearningtheHarp Your videos are a massive help and inspiration - thank you so much 💖
Just want to chime in as another arthritic harper! I first learned the lyre as a way to exercise my hands and upgraded recently to a 22-string lever harp because it’s been so helpful! I can see an improvement in my hands flexibility after about a month now, though the rest of my body is still adapting to the new movements and positioning.
Have any of you had similar struggles to Gale? Let us know in the comments!
I just bought a harp a few months ago. I also struggle a little with buzzing strings. I'm figuring out that if I place my fingers confidently on the next strings it helps.
I love your videos Carrie and Christy Lyn
Tresa
Yes that's wonderful! Instead of trying to avoid buzzing, focus on landing firmly and confidently as you said 🙌🏼 -Carrie
An easier piece allows one to get the basics. Otherwise to much to think about; at least for my little brain. I love going back to those earlier songs to see if i need to correct my playing and/or to enjoy the progress I've made. Thanks for this video - both of you❤
Thank you for posting this video! Always good to hear that it is not a 'shame' to choose an easier piece from the LTH-library😊
Very helpful; thank you!
Thank you❤
Long nails were the first thing i've noticed. Even when they get just a little bit longer there's buzzing and I touch wrong strings.
Brand new harpist here! I get buzzing when my fingers accidentally brush against a sounding string when searching for the correct string. My hands don't know spacing quite yet and sort of fumble into the gap between strings.
Hey Glen, Christy-Lyn here 😃👋🏻 When it comes to learning placing in the very beginning of your harp learning, I would encourage you to focus more on placing confidently and firmly, and don’t worry if there’s some buzzing. If you worry about buzzing and it causes you to be more hesitant in your placing, that will make things worse. So rather work on the underlying cause and solution, which is learning the spacing and muscle memory to place firmly and confidently 😊👍🏻 Hope that helps!
I looove such videos. We all face same problems. Soon I'm gonna send my video when I get brave enough :))
Please do send it in when you feel ready! ♥ So glad you find these videos relatable :) --Carrie
Loved❤
My nails grow in a way that I can’t cut them past the fingertip. I’ve always had this issue and it makes playing guitar difficult too (which is one of the reasons I’m switching to bass since you’re just supposed to play with the pads of your fingers on bass instead of your fingertips)
I really took a chance getting a harp since I got mixed responses when asking if this would be an issue or not.
One year later and I’ve mostly managed to play harp with **slightly** longer nails. Not saying it doesn’t affect my playing at all, my technique might be off in ways I’m not noticing, and I do deal with buzzing at times. But thankfully I’ve managed to the point that it doesn’t slow me down at least.
My nails are a bit unusual so I’ve only seen one other person with my same issue (on guitar) and I wonder if anyone else relates.
How do I send a video in? I am getting another harp by next year...
It’s always exciting to get a new harp!! 😃😃 Here’s info about feedback videos: www.learningtheharp.com/shop/feedback-videos/
Oh what a wonderful sound 🎉 Please, your celtic Harp is perhaps a Dusty String FH36 (SN) ?
Hi, Anna. It's a Dusty Strings Ravenna 34😊
there really is no substitute for getting a live teacher. Fingers down, thumbs up.
I make a similar mistake, not keeping the left hand in position!
NAILS!