Music is something which is almost universally enjoyed, and is perhaps one of the most primitive (and, at the same time, most neurologically complex!) pleasures in which human beings partake.

 

The are few more satisfying activities than learning to play a musical instrument, whether one intends to study it to a professional level, or simply to relax, away from household and work pressures.

 

I am a great believer in learning music for its own sake and for the enjoyment that it brings both to those who play it and those who listen. Given that the vast majority of people will say that they enjoy and appreciate music in some form or another, it is surprising that the actual learning of an instrument is seen as a tremendously difficult and complex pursuit, to be undertaken by only an elite minority who are ‘good’ at music. This is simply not the case! Learning to play an instrument is no more fundamentally difficult than many of the other skills we take for granted, such as reading and writing, or driving a car. Some people may have a more natural leaning towards music than others, but this is not to say that one cannot develop one’s own musicality, in much the same way as one might learn a new language or sport.

 

If you think that you would like to learn the harp, my best advice is simply to have a go! Contrary to popular belief, the harp is no more difficult to learn than any other instrument (some would say that it is easier to pick up than the piano) and you do not need to have any prior knowledge of music in order to do so. The harp also has the wonderful advantage of sounding beautiful straight away, no matter how simple the piece!

 

I teach the harp both by ear and using printed music, depending on the needs and ability of the individual student. I prefer to teach by ear at first, so as to allow the student to observe the position of the hands and pay complete attention to the sound that they are producing. Even after introducing printed music, I like to continue to teach aurally on occasion in order to develop the ability of the student to appreciate harmony and tonality, as well as learning how to improvise. I believe that combining this more traditional method of learning with classical theory and printed music gives a fully rounded musical training, leaving students comfortable playing both with and without music.

 

There are many organisations and teachers around the UK offering taster sessions and/or one to one teaching. For a list of harp teachers in your area, please click here to visit the Clarsach Society’s website. If you cannot find a teacher listed locally, it is always worth contacting your nearest branch secretary, as there may be other teachers nearby who are not on the list!