Hello all

I have got a harp as my son is playing one now and I keep wanting to get it out. The problem I have is that I never have been able to play the piano as using hands to do different things just does not work. I am now using my left hand to start playing some tunes and I have become so upset I just want to throw in the towel.

I sit looking at the harp and just wish I had the motivation to keep going but I end up feeling useless. Did anyone else struggle or does anyone have any tips?

Helen x

Hi Helen, as an adult learner (violin not harp) I struggle with motivation. Sometimes, even when my playing's going well I get so down on my self - "why am I bothering, I'm so old, I'll never get to play like Perlman (who does!!!???), I'll never go to music college, I'm wasting my time and money, playing for my own enjoyment. . . ." and blah, blah, blah. The nay-saying varies but the gist of it is variations on all the negative things people have said to me about me and music, bolstered in strength by a big dollop of low self confidence.

But then I remember the YEARS I have spent dreaming about playing an instrument and pining that I can't play an instrument and can't make music and that gives me a nudge in the right direction. And it might sound a bit morbid but I think about how it would feel to reach the end of my days and know that I didn't try to learn. To know that I spent my life not even trying to do one of the things that I have yearned for - that's not a regret I want. So I tighten my bow and find the simplest piece of music I own and play it, and then another. They're mostly simple Bluegrass tunes, but they sound like music, and playing them gives me the confidence to keep going and try something a bit harder and so it goes on.

So for me, what motivates me is (a) looking at the bigger picture (not just the immediate feeling of being useless) and being determined not to give up on my dream. (b) having some simple tunes that I can play, that gives me a bit of a boost because I CAN play them and sing along in my head. © not worrying about the future, just playing in the here and now, chipping away at it, slowly getting better. (d) my teacher. No matter how little I feel like having a lesson, he always gets me leaving the lesson wanting more. Do you have a teacher?

Anyway - that was a bit waffly, but, you're not alone, Helen. I think you just have to remember why you're learning and focus on how great it will feel when it starts to come together.

Thanks so much. I did have a teacher but funds have stopped me going and now son is using spare cash for him. I should just keep going as I am sure we have all gone through this. mmmmm I cannot get any worse so I shall battle on.

Thanks again xxxx

I dont think harp as an adult is easy - hence easy to lose motivation...

I am a good pianist and cellist and now we have two harps in the family now I thought I should play the one that is getting very little use. And of course I want eventually to play the pedal one too as it is so gorgeous.....

I have been to 4 years of Suzuki harp lessons weekly and other lessons, camps, workshops. I know the theory but its really tricky to do when two hands go together esp in opp directions. My progress is slow, so I dont do much and then it gets even slower. Its a future retirement project I think!

My advice is to take is take it very steady. Easy Sylvia Woods books are about right standard once you get the basics. And there is a nice book that I find useful - Bouquet for Young Harpists by Bonnie Goodrich. It moves slowly but not really tedious pieces. Hands sep then simple chords in left only. I like a big mirror - so I can see if I look right. Should be comfortable - if its not there is a problem. Relaxation is very important between notes and keeping joints anatomically right in their movements. As is harp at right height and posture. And thats before you even play a note....

I dont think I could have done much without the long background of observing different teachers and their approaches though. Can you video son (very useful for him BTW) during lessons and replay them to get some hints?

The great thing about the harp is that the sound is so beautiful that even if you play a really simple piece, it's just magical. I'm only at a very basic standard myself but enjoy it nonetheless. Keep going and good luck!