Beginner Pathway
To play the harp well, it is very important to build strong foundations. In this pathway you will learn theory, technique and repertoire from the foundation up. Before you begin this series you should already know how to tune your harp, sit at your harp and basic playing technique, or have completed the Starter Pathway.
1. Placing
Placing your fingers on the strings before you pluck. Working hard on the skill of placing will really help you to play with a beautiful smooth tone as you progress in your harping.
1A. Beginner Session 1
THEORY: The Grand Staff
TECHNIQUE: 2 Finger Placing
REPERTOIRE: Dawn ( Lesson 1)
1B. Dynamics on Individual Fingers
This exercise develops independence and control of each finger.
1C. 2 Finger Placing
A great exercise to make sure you are placing any 2 finger shape with confidence.
1D. Wendy Stewart Workshop
Work on the 'melody' part and really focus on placing the shapes.
2. Triads
A three finger shape. This is a very common shape in music and especially in harping! You will see triads a lot in the left hand, but make sure you feel great about playing them with your right hand too!
2A. Beginner Session 2
THEORY: Triads
TECHNIQUE: Triads Up And Over
REPERTOIRE: Dusk ( Lesson 1)
2B. Triads
Begin to stretch your fingers with this exercise focused on one of the most common shapes, not just in harp but in music.
2C. Falling Slowly
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this beautiful tune, featuring Triads.
2D. Baloo Baleerie
Then move onto the Beginner Arrangement of lovely lullaby, also featuring Triads.
3. Triads & Inversions
Triads can be played in lots of different ways. When practicing these shapes try to say the name of the shape out loud (or at least in your head) to help really link the name to the shape.
3A. Beginner Session 3
THEORY: Triads and Inversions
TECHNIQUE: Triads and Inversions
REPERTOIRE: Dusk (Lesson 2): Play all of Dusk Hands Together
3B. TASK: Review the RH (right hand) of Dawn
Revisit Beginner Session 1 and make sure your RH of Dawn is on point, as hands together is coming soon in the pathway..
3C. Triads and Inversions
Learn what Inversions are and how to practice them. Stretch out your 1st, 2nd & 3rd fingers and practice chord theory.
3D. The Skye Boat Song
Then move onto the Beginner Arrangement of this beloved Scottish song, featuring Triads and Inversions.
4. Intervals
Intervals are distances between notes in music. Learning how these feel under the fingers will help you quickly access new repertoire. This is a skill to revisit often in your harping journey.
4A. Beginner Session 4
THEORY: Pitch
TECHNIQUE: Interval Warm Up
REPERTOIRE: Dawn (Lesson 2)
4C. Practice 'Dawn' & 'Dusk'
Try to keep Dawn and Dusk in your practice schedule so you don't loose this repertoire.
4D. Auld Lang Syne
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this Scottish folk song, featuring 5ths.
5. Major Scale
We use scales to structure music. Scales are also a great way to warm up, they keep your fingers nimble and allow you to practice placing and tucking.
5A. Beginner Session 5
THEORY: Major Scales
TECHNIQUE: Major Scales
REPERTOIRE: Grove (Lesson 1)
5B. 1 Octave Scale
This simple, yet effective exercise will get your fingers moving and allow you to practice the all important 'tuck' or cross over motion.
5C. Understand G major Tuning
TASK: Make sure you know how to get your harp into G Major and WHY we need the F# to be in this key.
5D. Keep Practising 'Dawn' & 'Dusk'
Keep going over Dawn and Dusk in your practice sessions, really start to get them under your fingers.
5F. Auld Lang Syne - Review
Review the Beginner Arrangement, which is also in G Major.
6. Key Signatures And Changing Fingers
Understanding keys and scales will help you understand levers and pedals. We use different keys to give a variety of colour to our music.
6A. Beginner Session 6
THEORY: Exploring Key Signature
TECHNIQUE: Changing Fingers
REPERTOIRE: Grove (Lesson 2)
6B. Changing Fingers
Create a beautiful rich tone on repeated notes with this exercise, practicing changing your finger when plucking the same string more than once.
6C. Oran do MhacLeoid Dun Bheagan
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this Scottish folk song, which is uses Changing Fingers.
7. 1-5-8 (root - fifth -root) Chords
This is a later beginner skill, often featured in the left hand. These chords sound open and lush! It will be worth the work when you master them.
7A. Beginner Session 7
THEORY: 1-5-8 (Root -Fifth - Root Chords)
TECHNIQUE: 1-5-8 (Root -Fifth - Root Chords)
REPERTOIRE: Seice Ruairidh (Lesson 1)
7B. 3 Finger Placing
A great exercise to make sure you are placing any 3 finger shape with confidence.
7C. Pick Best Fingering For You
TASK: Play through the fingering options discussed in Beginner Session 7 and choose the best fingering for you for Seice Ruairidh.
7D. Amazing Grace
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this beautiful hymn, featuring 1-5-8 chords.
8. Tucking
Tucking is often known as crossing over or under. This helps link shapes together to give you a flowing sound. Definitely a skill to work on with both hands.
8A. Beginner Session 8
THEORY: Note Names and Values
TECHNIQUE: Tucking
REPERTOIRE: Seice Ruairidh (Lesson 2)
8B. Harp Made Easy
- Review Foundations 1-4 (from starter pathway)
- Complete 'Foundation 5' (Tucking)
- Complete 'Bringing It All Together'
8C. Mastering Tucking (crossing over and under)
Learn to play smoothly and confidently by linking notes and phrases through tucking.
8D. Finish Seice Ruairidh
Make sure you can play 'Seice Ruairidh' with fluidity and confidence. (From Beginner Session 8)
8E. Note Names & Values Re-Cap
Make sure you fully understand Note Names and Values before moving on. (From Beginner Session 8)
8F. Oogway Ascends
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this lovely film song, featuring tucking.
9. Scales in 10ths
The is a new, fresh way of looking at a scale. Often playing scales in warm-ups can get a little old. Use this as a way to brighten up your scale work!
9A. Beginner Session 9
THEORY: Time Signature
TECHNIQUE: Scales in 10ths
REPERTOIRE: Leanabh an Aigh (Lesson 1)
9B. 2 Octave Scale
Build your finger dexterity and speed with the common scale. This exercise also gives great practice in 'tucking' or crossing over or under.
9C. Time Signature Basics
Make sure you are clear on the basics of time signatures, understanding what the top and bottom number of time signatures actually means. (From Beginner Session 9)
9D. Finish Leanabh an Àigh
Make sure you can play 'Finish Leanabh an Àigh' with fluidity and confidence. (From Beginner Session 9)
10. Alternating Hand Scales
Our last skill is bridging us from beginner to post beginner. Taking a lot of concentration but great for becoming confident on putting pieces hands together.
10A. Beginner Session 10
THEORY: Time Signatures 2
TECHNIQUE: Alternating Hand Scales
REPERTOIRE: Leanabh an Aigh (Lesson 2)
10B. Alternating Hand Scales
An excellent exercise to help develop hands playing together.
10C. A Thousand Years
Learn the Beginner Arrangement of this lovely pop song, which is perfect for developing this skill.
11. Review
Review all the skills covered in the pathway.
11A. Beginner Session 11
THEORY: Time Signatures 3
TECHNIQUE: Review
REPERTOIRE: Review all beginner tunes