movement exercises, patterns
Hey harpies, I'm Colin and I'm new here... I'm working on walk with me but seem to have found this movement exercise, patterns laying around.... I'm sure I downloaded when I started but I wasn't sure whether this came first or the song should. it seems rather relevant... The skills all involved I just don't quite know if I should be able to do this all.... It starts out what seemed plain enough but I think that there's bending and stuff.... So what id like to know is is this really right for me to be playing just from sight..... I'm not sure yet about eighths and quarter staff notes... It just really seems like something I should know..... Do I plow through these scripted exercises or stick with the song and tounge blocking... I just am having a little trouble deciding.... Also if any can spare the time id be interested to know if playing along in the key of c wouldn't be wrong.... You see I thought its key was the most common so splurged a bit when I went out and bought one... Then I find out after signing up we learn to play on a and I didn't have enough to buy another marine band 1896 so I bought a big river harp but it's sound is harder to hit.... Especially the low twos in or out and I saw that all sight reading exercises are about the key of c, but the song, is all about a so what's going on ... Do you think if I practice enough my will sound fine and I should just suck it up or would it be wiser to play all on the c which to me seems more friendly if you know what I mean.... Anyway if you read all this I'm sure your patient enough to answer these questions so I can get myself unstuck about where to begin and which harp to use get back to me soon it was nice to meet all of you,
ColinBlues
Thank you David Hall.... for taking the time.... it's sort of what I thought.... with all the bending and timing.... I did go back over the course as it was intended and found the videos I think that you mentioned... It helps to follow the desturctions when everthing else fails.... that's what my dad told me years ago now.... I'm still getting used to interacting digitally...with lessons just waiting and videos to teach... I learned what you said.... about the two blow or draw as t were... It's hard to get my mouth to hold.... But I appreciate your time .... and thoughtful reply.... I'd like to get back to you about adjusting my harp.... not sure what you mean... but I think with some effort ... it will play fine... it worked for me last night.... for some reason I'm uncomfortable learning over the web... like it's not really real.... I know it's all in my head.... anyway... you say you've been playing for years.... did you start out here .... did you learn somewhere else.... I'd like to follow though with this..... it'd be good to know who to go to for help.... I know I can ask the instructor... he's gotten back to me before.... I think I would like though, to open a few doors... you know... meet some fellow harpists and see what they have to say... hear how they sound.... not a compare and contrast.... just a moving around... so it was a pleasure to meet you.... thanks for your time... I'll make use of this site.... just one more thing is there anyway I could send you a message through this place.... or is it just open forums.... and we're all friends here , no fakes.... thanks again,
ColinBlues
Horologist
Harpist
Colin, stick to the Beginners Study plan of David as referenced on his Lessons Page.
What might help is to watch as well the Joe Tartaglia Contributor videos where he tries to master Walk With Me. You can profit from the additional directions David gave Joe and you can compare your Progress with his.
As a beginner, Walk With Me can take several weeks to be able to play it in a reasonable way (at a reduced speed, say 85%). It's what David mentions in his lessons, and I have to agree. The study songs are really challenging for the skills level they are aimed at and will take a considerable amount of time.
As for the keys, there are apps and or windows programs able to change the pitch and change the speed.
Get one! Free Windows programs are Audacity and 'Best Practice'. Amazing Slow Downer has to be paid for (also available as Apple App). Also several Android apps.
To play a C harp where a A harp is required, raise the pitch of the song or backing track by 3 half steps. Start practicing the difficult bars at e.g. 50 % of the normal speed and increase the speeds with 5% steps.
Enjoy!
G'day.
Movement exercises? I think that's a different lesson. Very recent. It's valuable, but you don't have to start with it. I think I watched the first few videos. From memory David said its designed for all levels but if you don't have a handle on the bends yet, you can probably only go so far with it at the moment. That's ok.
Re A or C. There's no real reason you can't play walk with me on a C harp. You just won't be able to play along with the provided track unless you change the pitch of the track somehow.
You can probably do a little work on your Big River to make it play better. I'd investigate "gapping". Sounds like you may need to just close up the gap on the 2 hole reeds a little. Find a you tube video or maybe Kinya has a harp tech video on this site which addresses the topic(I'd be very surprised if not!). Take it easy and be patient and you'll sort it out. This can make a world of difference to the playability of you harp. Took me a few years to find out you didn't have to put up with how it came from the factory. It's a great skill to have, probably as important as learning scales 8^)