lap harp tutorial

[Musicifyism]

This was very pretty and helpful, I recently received a lap harp as a gift but their is no teacher in my town.

[bodenhofen]

@Musicifyism

How's your playing on the harp going on???

[ajarose6]

i enjoyed your tutorial immensely. what beautiful sharp sounding harp you've got! thanks a bunch.

[imckbe]

that is a lot of info and entertainment in two and a half minutes. Just the way I like it. Brilliant!

[bodenhofen]

@imckbe

Thanks for your comment!

Just to let you know... I've redone the tutorial (and added other videos as well) so you're invited to have a look!

[garrettmaria74]

very PRETTY

[Trestin13]

I have a 12 string lap harp that my mother gave me. I know how to tune it, but it seems more difficult to play songs, because it has less strings. Is there anything you'd recommend to help learn a 12 string lap harp?

[bodenhofen]

Tune to a scale, starting with the first string; and play simple tunes like children songs! It's better to experience a success early on rather than be frustrated when things you want to play are too difficult. You can upgrade later! Good luck!

[KuritaElite]

I have a question about the harp itself. I'm considering buying a lap harp, and have looked at various designs. The chamber to which the strings run...is that a resonator for the sound? If it is, do you know if a smaller box would alter the sound significantly?

[bodenhofen]

Yes, the chamber to which the strings run is the resonator box. If that were somewhat smaller, it would reduce the volume, but it might still be ok! Gothic harps for example usually have a narrow resonator box and still sound fine. In fact, I have just uploaded a video with one such harp. (You'll have to turn your head though to watch it properly! It's the latest ov my videos).

[IAmJesusFoLyphe]

I'm getting one soon! this will be my first lesson! :D Thanks.

[Blainesenior]

Thank you!!! This is very helpful.

Warm regards,

Blaine

[Niadra]

beautiful!

i've always wanted to learn how to play the harp. but i'm not exactly a musical prodigy; i used to take piano lessons and i wasn't much good. is the harp really difficult to learn?

[bodenhofen]

Hi Niadra! Concerning your Question: I would say the difficulty is medium: not very easy but also not extremely difficult. Maybe you can borrow a harp and try a week or two, to see how you feel (best with the instruction of a teacher). I played other instruments before, and it took me a summer to play with both hands.

[Niadra]

great, thank you! i think maybe i can manage it then. i would borrow one, but i don't think anybody i know has one... well, i'll figure something out.

thanks for your advice! keep up the beautiful playing :)

[buttons867]

i still can't get mine tuned right=[

[bodenhofen]

Well - if you've got red strings, tune them to c; the blue ones to f; the rest on the scale in between! (My harp starts with c1). ??!!

[zionreigns]

You're amazing! :)

[bodenhofen]

@zionreigns

Hi! Just to let you know I've uploaded new harp videos. Wonder what you thnk of them!

[swetor]

very nice melodies

[bodenhofen]

@swetor

Thank you!

Just to let you know... I've added a new tutorial and new harp-videos on my account...

[Chessess]

hi. thanks for the nice lesson :)

though, I've read on the net often enough, that we weren't suppose to our little finger to pluck at the strings? is there a difference between the playing technique between 2 different types of harps? or is it just stylistics?

thank you anyway :)

[bodenhofen]

Well, actually I don't use the little fingers either; they just move along with the other fingers and might create this impression on the video.

You play the harp too?

[youwantmetoeatwhat]

Thanks for the magical video! I have just purchased a lap harp and I was hoping you could answer me two questions. What kind of strings are in your harp? Are they nylon? Also, where can I find the beautiful music you play in your videos? I would love to learn the songs! Thank you!

[bodenhofen]

Hi!

To answer your questions:

1) I use nylon strings

2) The sheet music is available here with me in Austria... (since I composed the pieces myself). If you give me your adress I can send them to you.

[Lodestone1968]

Simply wonderful, thank you for posting your video.

[bodenhofen]

Thanks for your encouraging comment!

[bodenhofen]

@Lodestone1968

Hi! Just to let you know, there are new harp-videos now on my account...