[Harp-L] Lesson for kids

[Michael Rubin]

Imo, way too much info.

Play a song.

Show them a bit about the harp.  I can play one note.  I can play more than
one note, called a chord.  I can make the note go lower (bend) or higher
(Overblow).

I can make a quiet loud sound.  Use your hands to make a wa wa sound.

Hand them the harps.  Let them play.

Teach them to blow twice.  Teach them to inhale twice.

Now put it all together.

Check each kid for mastery.

Now talk about steady timing.

Play it 3 times in a row.  Ask them to sense your timing and then repeat
after you.

Play a train, start slow, speed it up and slow down again.

Intersperse it with a whistle, 3 4 5 draw with hand vibrato.

Teach them to do the whistle.

Check each kid for mastery.

Explain that it is ok to play the rhythm, then pause and center yourself on
3 4 5 draw, then whistle, then  pause, then center on 1 2 3 and play the
chugging again.

Have the kids each play you a train.

That's my hour long lesson.

On Mon, Mar 20, 2023 at 8:06 PM Dan Weimer via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
wrote:

> Cheers, all.  I'm a returning member from a thousand years ago.  I don't
> play much anymore, and I haven't been on stage in probably about fifteen
> years.  I was amazed, and at the same time not, that this group was still
> here, but if it's anything like I remember it, it's the ideal place to come
> with a question like this.
> My son is in a Cub Scout troop with a really good den leader and it's a
> fun and active group, and they're leaning hard on parents to lead a session
> teaching something.  Well, when I noticed no one playing any music around
> the campfire at those outings, I figured I could probably help with that
> (not like I know anything else useful to that demographic).  So, I've been
> tabbed to lead a one hour group lesson to a bunch of 8 year olds who are
> going to be handed Hohner Bluesbands, starting from square zero.  There
> will be about ten kids, and it's up to me to keep it together first and
> foremost, then, just maybe, teach them something.
> So I figure, how to hold it.  Blow anywhere to get a C chord when you're
> in trouble.  Then how to get a single note.  Then a couple campfire tunes.
> I don't know any campfire tunes.  What are the easiest ones to play and
> teach?  Then some second position.  Show them the G chord and have the
> group chug a rhythm while we go around the circle and solo.  Teach 'em how
> to fake a solo using nothing but the 3 and 4 holes.
> Basically, has anyone ever done this before?  Best practices?  Am I
> thinking too little?  Too much?
>
> All the best to everyone.  Maybe if I hang out for a bit, I'll get the
> juices to start playing again.
> -dfw
>