Re: [Harp-L] Asking for Help in Teaching a Kid the Harp

["Dave Murray" <dlmurray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: <EdnDoris1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Last weekend my wife and I attended a "dulcimer festival,"  with some 
> friends
> whose niece had just taken up the mountain dulcimer.  Naturally I toted my
> D-harp (that's how they're typically tuned), and I was surprised at how 
> much the
> players enjoyed my jamming with them.  During a break,  a really cute,
> bright-eyed 10 year-old boy came up to me and asked, " Can you teach me to 
> play the
> harmonica ?  I think it sounds cool !"  I have to say here that at 64, 
> with
> rapidly receding gray hair, I don't have the look of any rock idol that I 
> know
> of.   I said, " Sure, I'll teach you to play - and I'm glad you think it 
> sounds
> cool - I do too !
> Actually, I was tapdancing.  I was in my 30's before I got serious about 
> the
> harp.  I hadn't a clue as to how to teach a 10 yo.   But I took him aside, 
> and
> with a $3.00 C-harp that they were selling there,  I taught him to make
> single notes.  He was so tickled with his progress, and I promised him 
> that I'd
> send him some "stuff."
> That's where I'm asking you to come in.  Any of you have any resources re:
> teaching kids to play the harp ?  Any books, tapes, tabs for easily 
> recognized
> tunes, etc ?  I'll appreciate any help !   Thanks  ~Ed Cooper


I get together with some friends to play the mountain dulcimer a couple 
times a month and always whip out the harp for a few tunes and as you said, 
it's well received. A guy asked me to teach him to play the mountain 
dulcimer. He brought a bunch of books and asked which one I'd like to use. I 
told him "none of them" and asked him what tunes he could hum from memory. 
He left a couple hours latter able to play six of them by himself without 
paper. There are real teachers in this forum who might tell you different, 
but I'd suggest using the same method. Ask him what he has in his head, and 
show him how to find it on his harp. He'll probably chose songs that can be 
played in 1st position without any bends. If he leaves after his first 
lesson able to play some tunes, he'll be hooked.

Peace and music,
Dave