Basic Paraguayan and Celtic HARP POSTURE
Paraguayan
harp technique differs slightly from concert harp technique
because it is a different instrument playing different music. Paraguayan music
has fast repeating patterns and many piano and guitar like playing techniques.
So a fluid technique is essential for ease and comfort of performing
Sit
straight with relaxed shoulders and the harp resting against your right shoulder
(left handed players use the left shoulder). Choose a chair that is the right
height so you are comfortable. Not too low so the harp leans backwards on you, or
so high that you lean forward or the harp does not reach your shoulder.
Notice that the neck is neither leaning forward
or backwards.
The harp rests lightly against the body.
Right hand plays the treble strings
The left hand plays the bass strings.
Left-handed players need to reverse these last two instructions.
PLUCKING THE
HARP STRINGS
Notice how the hands are slightly curved and the
fingers and knuckles are held in smooth flowing lines. No sharp locked up
knuckles on the fingers. The wrists need to be flat, neither bent back or
excessively forward or sideways. Bending the wrists back or up blocks the
movement of the tendons which go up your arms. This will make it hard to play
and result in pain and tendon damage.
Paraguayan harps have narrow string spacing so
accurate placing of the fingers is essential ,finger nails are often used to
pluck the strings for greater accuracy and precise sound.
Placement as used with Celtic harps is much less
used because the music requires rhythmic bass patterns and the strings are allowed
to ring between plucking the notes,
HOLDING THE HANDS ON THE
STRINGS
Look carefully at this picture especially the arms and hands. See how the hand wrist
and arm are almost straight the fingers curve into the strings. The arms do not
normally stick out they just hang naturally.
Thumbs are straight and relaxed.
The fingers are not squashed together
The right hand is slightly more curved than the
left hand.
Celtic Harp
Posture
A small 26 string Celtic harp such as made by
Geoff Welham is played in the same way as above, but the harp is often placed in the lap
or the player sits on the floor
All the posture advice is basically the same as
the Paraguayan Harp i.e straight back and fingers and wrists held the same
as the Paraguayan Harp.
Traditionally, Celtic harp strings have wider spacing than
Paraguayan harps. This allows plucking the strings with the finger tips and more
secure placement of the fingers for traditional Celtic harp music. Some Celtic
harps have very taught strings which suit finger tip playing.
The harp shown below has moderate string spacing moderate
tension, and is suitable for finger tip or finger nail plucking and Paraguayan
and Celtic music.
