Post Beginner Pathway
This pathway builds on the skills from the beginner pathway and focuses on developing hands together playing. Many of the skills and shapes you have already encountered will now be strengthened, while you challenge yourself through more hands together work.
The key focus is developing left hand playing through the study of one tune, Lunaris, explored with a range of different left hand ideas. You will also be encouraged to consider your own tastes and preferences in playing, culminating in your own arrangement and fostering creativity.
To enrich your learning experience you will also have the option to choose a tune to learn alongside Lunaris from a list of suggestions every few months. The suggested tunes will include some of the skills taught in the months that follow.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL LEARNING: Choose a tune from this list
We recommend that you enrich your learning by choosing a tune from this list of Post Beginner tunes that feature some of the skills you will cover in the next 3 sections of learning.
Gymnopedie
Ambient Proto-Minimalist Classic, written by Eric Satie.
Full course with guided lessons.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements. Pedal and lever harp sheet music and guidance.
The Lochmaben Harper
Traditional Scottish Slow Jig.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of Storytelling with Rebecca Harrisson.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
(Originally part of Harp Scotland membership)
Oran Do Mhac Leoid Dhun Bheagain
(The Blind Harper) Traditional Scottish Slow Air.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of The Blind Harper.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
(Originally part of Harp Scotland membership)
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Disney Classic from 'The Lion King', written by Elton John.
Full course with guided lessons.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
The Witches Jig
Traditional Scottish Jig, feat Terra Burgoyne & Mairi Kidd.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of Supernatural.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
(Originally part of Harp Scotland membership)
Morning Mood
From Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt. A beautiful piece in F major. This piece requires lever or pedal changes.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
1. 3rds and 5ths
You’ve met 3rds and 5ths before in the Beginner Pathway. Now it’s time to build confidence and understanding by using these intervals in new musical settings.
1A. POST BEGINNER Session 1
Theory: Intervals
Practice: Test out your 3rd and 5th spotting skills with the '3rds and 5ths Quick-fire Quiz
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 1 and put it hands together
1B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercise: 5th Exercise 1
(Optional Challenge: Individual Exercise: 5ths Exercise 2)
1C. STRETCH YOUR LEARNING
Look at a few Beginner Tunes and see if you can identify 3rds and 5ths in the music.
2. Triads
Triads are back (another concept introduced in the Beginner Pathway) but this time, we’ll use them in more complex ways ensuring you are confident in this common harp shape.
2A. POST BEGINNER Session 2
Theory: Triads
Practice: Triads Quick-Fire Quiz
Tune: Learn Lunaris version 2 hands together
2B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercise: Triads
Begin to stretch your fingers with this exercise focused on one of the most common shapes, not just in harp but in music.
3. Exploring Inversions
Take your triad knowledge to the next level as we explore inversions and the challenge of weaving them into melody. This is a tricky version of our tune, so take your time with this section.
3A. POST BEGINNER Session 3
Theory: Inversions
Technique: Triads and Inversions Practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 3 hands together
TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercise: Triads And Inversions
Not only a great exercise to stretch out your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers but a great one to practice chord theory. This lesson shows what the inversions are and how to practice them.
3C. STRETCH YOUR LEARNING
Explore repertoire you are working on and look for the triad shape. Don't only focus on left hand, but find triad and inversion shapes in the right hand too.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL LEARNING: Choose a tune from this list
We recommend that you enrich your learning by choosing a tune from this list of Post Beginner tunes that feature some of the skills you will cover in the next 3 sections of learning.
Diamond Wedding
One of Heather's original compositions in F major, written for William's grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas
Classic Christmas song in C major. Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Bless Us All
Disney Classic from 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', written by Paul Williams.
Full course with guided lessons.
Minuet in G Major
Usually credited to Johann Sebastian Bach, although this is debated so sometimes attributed to 'Anon'.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Pure Imagination
From 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. Written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Stirling Castle
Traditional Scottish Strathspey.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of Stirling.
Mile Marbhaisg air a Ghaol
Traditional Scottish Waulking Song in G major.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Rantin Rovin Robin
Burns Song written by Robert Burns, feat. Alex Downie.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of Robert Burns.
I Just Can’t Wait To Be King
'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' from the Lion King. Written by Elton John.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
4. Arpeggios, Inversions and 1-5-8 chords
Strengthen your harmonic foundations with arpeggios, inversions, and the iconic 1-5-8 shape, a favourite in harp music for good reason.
4A. POST BEGINNER Session 4
Theory: Arpeggios
Technique: 1-5-8 practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 4 hands together
4B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: Arpeggios
The skeleton of the scale so to speak. This exercise gives your had a big, beautiful stretch using all 4 fingers.
4D. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: Arpeggios Inversions
Learn the different shapes possible with inversions of arpeggios and feel the beautiful hand stretch each one creates.
4E. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: 1-5-8 (Root-5th-Root) Exercise
An exercise to help you gain confidence placing and playing the 1-5-8 shape which is regularly found in harp arrangements.
5. 1-5-10 chords
A new challenge for the hands: explore the rich sound of 1-5-10 chords, a beautiful stretch that’s well worth the effort. Take time over 5C, this lesson gives helpful tips to work through the left hand stretch.
5A. POST BEGINNER Session 5
Theory: Fingering
Technique: 1-5-10 chords exercise
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 5 hands together
5B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: 1-5-8-9-10 Exercise
This exercise focuses on developing a beautiful accompaniment in the left hand using a repeated 1-5-8-9-10 pattern. The left hand progression is repeated throughout with a slight variation in the right hand.
5C. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: 1-5-10 Chords
An exercise for your left hand. Learn not only what 1-5-10 chords are, but tips and tricks to help your left hand reach the big stretch required to execute them perfectly!
6. 1-5-8 with passing notes
Building on your 1-5-8 foundation from chapter 4, now we add passing notes to bring even more flow and colour to your playing. Make sure you’re confident with the learning in chapter 4 before beginning this chapter.
6A. POST BEGINNER Session 6
Theory: Passing Notes
Technique: Passing Notes Practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 6 hands together
6B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: 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.
6C. OPTIONAL TECHNIQUE BANK: Individual Exercises: Etouffee
Also known as flat hand playing in the Left Hand. This two-part series helps you master this harp-specific technique.
Note: This exercise is challenging so take your time and break it down into small sections.
7. Tucking Chords
Tucking is a key harp foundation, this chapter takes it further by combining left hand tucks with right hand melodies for an extra layer of challenge.
7. Tucking Chords
Theory: Note Values
Technique: Tucking
* Static Tucking Exercise
* Twisty Turny Exercise
* Scales to practice tucking
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 7 hands together
7B. TECHNIQUE BANK: Short Courses: Mastering Tucking
Learn to play smoothly and confidently by linking notes and phrases through tucking.
Short course with a series of lessons in C major.
Suitable for all levels.
7C. TECHNIQUE BANK: Short Courses: Harp Made Easy: Tucking
The 5 essential foundations you need to level up your harping - body and mind, placing, plucking, bending and tucking.
Lessons in C major.
Suitable for beginners or intermediate/advanced players looking to refresh their foundational skills.
STRETCH YOUR LEARNING
Find and practice another tune that involves tucking in either the left or right hand.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL LEARNING: Choose a tune from this list
We recommend that you enrich your learning by choosing a tune from this list of Post Beginner tunes that feature some of the skills you will cover in the next 3 sections of learning.
In The Bleak Midwinter
A wintery classic, by Gustav Holst.
G major.
No Lever or Pedal changes.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Freedom Come A'ye
Scottish March written by Hamish Henderson.
Full course with guided lessons, plus context videos on theme of Hamish Henderson.
Sally’s Song
From 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Written by Danny Elfman.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Chariots of Fire
From 'Chariots Of Fire'. Written by Vangelis.
Slow tempo demonstrations and tips.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
Brown Eyed Girl
Upbeat pop song by Van Morrison.
Full course with guided lessons.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
In G major, one F lever or pedal needed for intermediate and advanced.
Schindler's List
From 'Schindler's List'. Written by John Williams.
Full course with guided lessons.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements.
A Million Dreams
Inspirational Song from 'The Greatest Showman'
Full course with guided lessons.
G major, levers/pedals needed.
Niel Gow's Lament For The Death Of His Second Wife
Beautiful Scottish Slow Air by Niel Gow.
Full course with guided lessons.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced arrangements. Pedal and lever harp sheet music and guidance.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
A lively and joyful Classic, written by Wolfgang Motzart.
Full course with guided lessons.
8. Turn Back Chords
Turn back chords bring expressive melodic movement to the left hand. This chapter also builds your rhythm and theory through a suggested link to our metronome course.
8A. POST BEGINNER Session 8
Theory: Time Signatures
Technique: Turn Back Chords Practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 8 hands together
8B. OPTIONAL TECHNIQUE: Short Course: Master the Metronome
(All lessons to Compound/simple time)
This course covers so much more than metronome work! Learn basic rhythm to help you understand your music better. And then utilise the metronome in your practice!
Short course with a series of lessons in C major.
Suitable for all levels.
9. Turn Back And Up Again Chords
Take your left hand playing to the next level by adding upward movement to your turn back chords, while completing your work on rhythm with the final part of the metronome course.
9A. POST BEGINNER Session 9
Theory: Triplets
Technique: Turn Back and Up chord practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 9 and practice left hand pattern (turn back and up chords)
9B. Practice playing triplets using a metronome
Turn your metronome to a beat you feel comfortable and confident with and then practice your triplets along to the click to work on steady and consistent triplets.
9C. OPTIONAL: Short Course: Master the Metronome
(Remaining last 4 weeks
of lessons - from Rhythm in Context to the end)
Learn basic rhythm to help you understand your music better. And then utilise the metronome in your practice!
10. Counter Melody
In this chapter, we dive into counter melody, where your left hand becomes just as expressive as your right. Also begin to think creatively about your playing by considering your musical tastes.
10A. POST BEGINNER Session 10
Theory: Counter Melody
Technique: Counter Melody Practice
Tune: Learn Lunaris Version 10 hands together
10B. STRETCH YOUR LEARNING
Create your own arrangement of Lunaris using elements from the 10 versions.
11. Personal Version
In this final chapter, get creative and build your own arrangement by choosing your favourite moments from the pathway. This is where all your learning comes together.
11B. STRETCH YOUR LEARNING
Play your personal version of Lunaris and consider sharing it with others. You can record it, play it for your friends in a Harp Lounge Meet Up. You can also share it in the monthly practise performing club.