RE: [Harp-L] Beginners instruction materials?

[Warren Bee <spahpublicity@xxxxxxxxx>]

Great thread!  I am here in New England and have been teaching on and off
for years. I recently started doing 1 on 1 lessons and classes mostly geared
toward beginners. Actually my main focus as of late is the "curious". The
step before beginner!  After 35+ years of playing harp and hanging around
many different level players I think the number one issue is starting off on
the right foot. In my opinion that means: STAY ON ONE HOLE AT A TIME FOR A
WHILE!  Songs/ riffs/solos etc. are all single notes put together in
combinations and in succession. Until you get your 'connection" solid on one
hole with strong tone why bother moving to another hole?  I start with no
arrows up and down, minimal printed materials in your face, just close your
eyes and use the most valuable tools that you have for making music; your
ears & your breath.  When a beginner "gets it" it is usually because they
"hear and feel" it sound right.  They hear a clean note with their ears and
they feel the flow of the air that "works".  Once they get a strong
embrochure and tone then there are many great paths to take on the journey.
Many have already been mentioned here!

WB
www.harptime.com