ARE YOU FOLLOWING YOUR HARP DREAMS?
Ready, Steady, Go!
Right now there are three different levels of START HARP 12 week online courses running with over 30 harp students working away in them, all over the world. It is invigorating and inspiring to see the dedication and progress of all these harpists and I am so very proud!
Over the 12 weeks, we all support each other, use the highly structured weekly learning and practice videos, work one-to-one via the homework videos, chat live in Q & A sessions and connect in the START HARP closed Facebook.
When I originally envisioned the course it was for the complete novice to learn the basics, to open the doors to this incredible instrument and to give students the opportunity to learn from the very beginning foundation techniques, playing by ear, reading sheet music and improvising. I was particularly keen that the courses should work using lap/knee harps to make sure that a really expensive instrument wasn’t imperative to start learning (I even had one lady complete the first two levels on a 12 string harp, she is now the proud owner of a bigger harp and currently completing level 3!).
After completing writing and launching LEVEL 1 I got VERY excited about online teaching, I am not talking about the occasional one to one Skype lesson, this has become weekly tuition with a vast content, sheet music downloads, theory, technique, learning to perform, learning to teach yourself, learning to play ‘by ear’, with music and improvise. I can pass on so much more information this way than I have EVER been able to seeing a student one-to-one for one hour a week. I discovered that I was taking students way beyond the beginning of learning, to extended techniques, modulating, preparing to perform and even at the very end a group performance project bringing harpists together from all over the world playing together in a video!
START HARP became so much more, an ever growing online school in fact! New in 2018 I am introducing one off START HARP IMMERSION sessions as well as the full 12 week courses!
So the course need new titles, it is not simply START HARP LEVEL 1, 2 and 3, it is a whole journey of harp exploration, from the beginning right through a level where you can REALLY play lovely pieces, improvise, approach new music with confidence and have truly rounded practical musicianship skills.
So, drum roll please, here are the titles:
START HARP BEGINS – LEVEL 1
Your journey begins…
The START HARP BEGINS – LEVEL 1 course works on the foundations and building blocks required to help you take the first steps towards becoming a proficient harpist. This is aimed at the complete beginner or those wishing to re-discover foundation techniques.
START HARP EXPANDS – LEVEL 2
Expand your horizons…
In START HARP EXPANDS – LEVEL 2, we expand our harpist horizons! We build on the foundation techniques and skills you have worked on previously (in other lesson or in START HARP level 1) and learn 10 new tunes to build repertoire.
START HARP ADVANCES – LEVEL 3
Advance your dreams…
In START HARP ADVANCES (Level 3) students learn more advanced techniques and theory including harmonics and slides, modulating, how to change key with pedals or levers, using the circle of 5ths and much more.
IS THE HARP CALLING YOU?
Join START HARP!
START HARP is an easy to follow, flexible and affordable online course that will take you on a musical journey from the comfort of your own home!
‘The fact that the course covers learning by ear and improvisation as well as reading music from the page means that you can start to play recognisable tunes from the beginning. I’ve loved every minute of the course – even the homework!’ Kate Adams, START HARP Student
Interested? Details and sign up information available >>HERE<<.
Not sure which level to take? Spend a few minutes taking the Harp quiz to help you find out!
START HARP: The online harp school offering courses with individual support for beginner to intermediate harpists, ‘Start Harp’ (www.StartHarp.co.uk). The three 12 week courses offer tuition on technique, note reading, improvisation and playing by ear taught via teaching videos, play-a-longs, sheet music, live online Q&A’s and one to one support in video homework submissions with personalised feedback. The courses teach students across the world including in the UK, mainland Europe, Canada, Australia and the US.
