Play the Harp Beautifully

If you’ve read my earlier posts, you may know that I’ve switched method books and am now using “Play the Harp Beautifully” by Pamela Bruner.  I am not so amazing with my technique, but I do feel that I’m improving since using her books found here:  http://pamelabrunermusic.com/harp_books.php.  If you buy them at this website, you can purchase the PDF version and won’t have to pay or wait for shipping:  https://www.fleur-de-lyre.ca/products/play-the-harp-beautifully-level-1 and https://www.fleur-de-lyre.ca/collections/educational/products/play-the-harp-beautifully-level-2-digital-download. Don’t let the higher price on this second link scare you, as it’s in Canadian dollars.  I also just received the DVD which goes with her series, and it includes both levels 1 and 2. So, you can have two levels including books and DVD instruction for about $100 plus CD shipping.    

Here’s why I prefer this series over some of the others:

1.  Examples are pleasant to hear and play. It’s getting challenging, near the end of the first book, but it’s still enjoyable.

2.  They are divided into chapters. Some books just go on and on, but these have concise units with reviews that make you feel like you’ve accomplished something!  Once you have (kind of) mastered a unit, you know it’s time to move on to the next, which leads me to…

3.  They are logical.  You know where you stand and when to keep practicing before going to the next chapter.

4.  The DVD shows her playing every selection. My previous method books only had videos of certain exercises, not every piece.

5.  Book 2 looks exciting!  Who doesn’t want to have something to strive for?  Once you download or purchase the second book, you can see all the great topics and arrangements that are ahead.  Book 2 seems to have all the techniques I’m longing to try, such as Glissandos, Rolled Chords, and Grace Notes.  It also has a few topics that I’m not so sure I look forward to, but that I really must learn, like cross overs and unders and lever changes.

6.  Book 2 has many pieces that will be a valuable part of any repertory.  These include Eleanor Plunkett, The Ash Grove, Danny Boy, Morning Has Broken, Scarborough Fair, Greensleeves, and more.