LEFT HAND EXERCISESIt is assumed for these exercises that the harp is tned in G, and the reader knows the names and locations of the notes on their harp, whether it be in English (C D E F G A B C) or in Spanish (DO RE MI FA SOL LA SI DO). This is essential to understanding the exercises. If you need help locating the notes on your harp, obtain a book on harp basics, or consult a harp teacher. Exercise 1 for the left hand is to practice octaves. Use only your thumb and ringfinger, with the thumb on the higher of the two notes, and the ringfinger on the lower. The written exercise is from lowest G up note by note for one octave, and then descending note by note to the starting note. In practice, you may start on any note and go as high as you choose, and then descend back down. The purpose of this exercise is for your hand to get comfortable playing octaves. Though our goal is to have you eventually not need to look at your hand, when you do, look at and guide yourself off the thumb, NOT THE RINGFINGER. The reasons are many, but the most important is that when you must look between your hands, your eyes will travel less distance and you'll be quicker and less error prone. Exercise 2 is four note chords, with the goal of getting your hand and fingers accustomed to the proper spacing for many of the exercises that follow. Again, the exercise starts on a G (up an octave from the bottom), ascending for one octave and then descending, but you can practice this in any key and starting on any note. Exercise 3A is to combine octaves in the left hand with a left hand 3-note chord, on the tonic in the key of G. Play your lowest G octave, move you hand up one octave and play a B-D-G in your that register. Use your middle, index and thumb for the three note chord. Repeat the chord. Next, play an octave D, followed by the same B-D-G chord. repeat the chord. Practice in slow waltz (3/4) time. Go only as fast as you can play evenly, which often means rather slowly. Fear not: Speed will come with time and practice. Exercise 3B is the same idea, but using single string technique. Play your second octave G (single string) with your left hand ring finger, follow it with a G-B in the next octave, thumb on the B, and index finger on the G. repeat the G-B. Next, play the second octave D with your ring finger, followed by the G-B as above. repeat the G-B. Practice in slow waltz (3/4) time. Go only as fast as you can play evenly, which often means rather slowly. Fear not: Speed will come with time and practice. Exercise 4A is the same idea as 3A but on a dominant seven chord in the key of G, i.e. D7. Play your lowest A octave, move your hand up to the next octave, and play C-D-F# with your index, middle and thumb. Repeat the C-D-F#. Then play your lowest D octave, and repeat the C-D-F# twice. Practice in slow waltz (3/4) time. Go only as fast as you can play evenly, which often means rather slowly. Fear not: Speed will come with time and practice. Exercise 4B, is as 3B, but on the dominant seven chord in G, i.e. D7. Play your second octave A (single string) with your left hand ring finger. Follow it with the F#-A-C above, played with the middle, index, and thumb. Repeat the F#-A-C. Play the D immediately below (single string) and follow it with the F#-A-C chord twice. Practice in slow waltz (3/4) time. Go only as fast as you can play evenly, which often means rather slowly. Fear not: Speed will come with time and practice. Exercise 5A combines 3A and 4A, with a passing tone in the bass. Exercise 5B combines 3B and 4B, with a passing tone in the bass. Basic Left Hand Exercises - MUSICAL NOTATION |