Technique at Your Fingertips – Book 1 (Pdl/Lvr)

“Technique at Your Fingertips for pedal harp or lever harp should be used in conjunction with Classics at Your Fingertips.  It may also be used with any beginning to early intermediate harp repertoire.

                The goal of these books is to provide a comprehensive introduction to harp technique for the adult beginner.  It assumes the student has no background in music.  It introduces musical symbols, note reading, and basic theory concepts in addition to the technique exercises.  After a student has completed book four of this course they should continue their technique studies with intermediate and advanced technique books.

                These books have recurring features: Two Thumbs Up, exercises, and Fingerpainting.  Two Thumbs Up helps the student strengthen the thumb joints and maintain the correct hand position with each new concept.  Most of the technique exercises are intended to be played throughout the range of the harp.  The student is encouraged to “get out of the book” and focus on the strings and on their hands.  Fingerpainting gives student a chance to apply their new knowledge with a creative project.

                Book one begins by focusing on the open to closed hand gesture necessary for playing the harp.  Finger 2 alone is used for the first half of the book to reinforce this gesture.  Then the other fingers are added in the second half, but they are played consecutively to support the early stages of hand coordination.” J. Rabens