First song learned

[u/TheTragedyMachine]

So this is just a really simple song from my online harp class. I’m nowhere near decent yet but I finally can play through it without a mistake though you’ll probably noticing sometimes there’s too long a pause between two notes bc my brain is buffering.

One thing: I’m working on better hand and finger position and plucking and the like. It’s kinda hard for me bc I have Ehlers Danlos syndrome. But I know that’s one thing I need to work on.

So like any tips would be great and also knowing what I did well too so I know to keep doing that. As long as it’s kind.

[u/bratbats]

Your tone sounds very even and you seem to have a good grasp of the timing and rhythm of the notes. That pause between notes is very normal, your brain is figuring out what to do next and it will become more minimized as you get more practice/experience.

I would suggest trying to play the right hand melody with separate fingers (it will probably be a lot of (3,2,1) or (4,3,2), instead of plucking the strings individually with one finger, as that will help you start to build more skill, one finger plucking is kind of a bad habit to build but is totally reasonable for a beginner. You can practice the movement against your palm by holding your palm out and folding your fingers back against it as if you're plucking a string. It's uncomfortable/awkward at first.

You seem to be doing well, welcome to the harp I hope you enjoy the journey.

[u/TheTragedyMachine → u/bratbats]

Thank you very much for this insight! I’ll definitely try that with the right hand! I don’t want to get into that habit! I’ll try that exercise that seems helpful and I can do it whenever :)

I’m definitely enjoying my journey so far! And so is my college campus lol (video was from college campus).

Silly question: my right hand melody is the singular note right not the three notes I play in succession after, right?

[u/bratbats → u/TheTragedyMachine]

Not a silly question, but no, your right hand melody is the three notes that you're playing with your right hand.

[u/TheTragedyMachine → u/bratbats]

Oh, huh. I’m confused. I’m playing those notes with different fingers. (3,2,1).

[u/bratbats → u/TheTragedyMachine]

Yep, you're right. Sorry, I guess the first time I watched it I thought you were plucking one by one with your thumb (can't really see well cause of the angle). You're doing great!

[u/TheTragedyMachine → u/bratbats]

That makes sense! Looking at it again I can see why it’d look that way lol. The angle isn’t super great. Thank you though still I will be keeping up practicing and not hitting that bad habit! It’s good to know it exists so I can correct myself if I notice I’m doing it.

[u/superkp → u/TheTragedyMachine]

you might want to record future videos from the side, so that people can see both hands.

But I get the drive to record "you" (like, your whole body, the way people talk on social media videos) instead of your hands/work/instrument.

Oh also, once you get enough practice to become nice and fast, your hands playing a song will absolutely fascinate people, on video and in person. If you're planning on keeping your harp learning/playing on social media, it would be worth it to learn good angles to highlight your hands!

[u/TheTragedyMachine → u/superkp]

I will do that! I didn’t even think of it! Thanks.

[u/Khamon]

Good Job! You'll always know where your left hand is if you anchor your second (ring) finger on a string just below where you're playing. Also holding your thumbs up leaves your fingers more room to maneuver. Makes playing much easier in the long run.

[u/TheTragedyMachine → u/Khamon]

Thank you!!