Resources for MN harpists
Events and Minnesota harp community:
- Minnesota Chapter of the American Harp Society Membership costs $20 a year for adults and only $5 for students. We hold meetings every two months which involve fun discussions with other harpists, some low-key performance opportunities and educational workshops, and usually food!
- Minnesota Chapter Facebook page
- The American Harp Society (National)
- The Scottish Harp Society of America $20 per year
- University of Minnesota School of Music events (Mostly) free concerts at the School of Music in Minneapolis
Good articles and blogs:
- The Bulletproof Musician (Performance anxiety and effective practice methods)
- 6 Essentials For Every Practice Space by harpist Stephanie Claussen
- Music lessons spur emotional and behavioral growth in children, new study says from the Washington Post
- Folk Harp Journal (includes harp arrangements of traditional tunes, easy through advanced)
- Jigs and Reels and Hornpipes, Oh My! Learn the difference between various Irish dance types
- The Way You Approach Music in Practice Greatly Affects Your Success in Performancefrom Classical Guitar Magazine
- Hear, Feel, See … and Memorize The Music by harpist Zuzanna Olbrys
- The Four Stages of Memorization by Gerald Klickstein
- Harp Resources Harp exercises, tips and tricks compiled by harpist Barbara Ann Fackler
- How Fast is Too Fast? by harpist Laurie Riley
- Make A Custom Harp Case by harpist Jaye Emrys
- 8 Things Top Practicers Do Differently
- Music Practice Tips from Musicmakers
- Hand and Arm Stretches for Musicians
Good videos, YouTube channels and podcasts:
- Your first harp lesson – 4 points for basic position A lovely little 2-minute reminder on hand position: “elbows up, wrists down, thumbs up, fingers down.”
Josh Layne YouTube channel Josh has a series of episodes called “Harp Tuesday.” They are all great!
Stephanie Claussen’s YouTube channel- Betty Paret’s “First Harp Book” YouTube playlist
Stephanie Claussen plays a majority of the pieces in the book.
The Neuroscience of Performing from Memory Part I The first in a 4-part series by Dr. Molly Gebrian (musician and scientist) talking about how to improve memory.
- Thistle Radio Listening to quality Celtic music is essential to playing quality Celtic music.
- Scottish Music Podcast
- 8 Stretches for Harp Players Christy-Lyn talks with harpist and physical therapist Allison Miller.
General advice:
- Write your name in every harp book you own, especially if you attend a harp studio where multiple students own those same books.
- Listen to as much harp music as possible.
- Go to as many live harp concerts as possible.
Music Tools:
- Musescore | Music composition software
- IMSLP | Public domain music library, especially useful for finding orchestra scores
- Online Metronome
- Free Blank Sheet Music
- Tuner | Free Mobile App
- Music note flash cards
Good quotes:
- “Don’t practice mistakes or you will become very good at playing them!”
- “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.” -Beethoven
Harp Maintenance:
- Harp Care Tips from Dusty Strings
- Musicmakers in Stillwater repairs folk harps (even non-Musicmakers harps). Call them first to make sure they can help: (651) 439-9120.
- Harp assessment and pedal harp regulation | Jim Buxton from Minneapolis regulates and appraises harps. Contact me for his info.
Hand care tips
- Nexcare Tape (available at Target and probably elsewhere) This is a fabric-like thin tape. I use it to protect minor burns, blisters, or cuts while I practice. (But don’t apply the sticky portion directly to a cut!) It’s less bulky than a band-aid and less slippery as well. I would probably not have graduated from college if not for this tape. It can leave a sticky residue on the harp strings, but this can be brushed off with no lasting effects. Most pharmacies sell this tape in a wide width, but apparently Setzer Pharmacy on the corner of Rice St. and Larpenteur Ave. sells the skinny width, which is the most useful.
- Wait awhile after a bath, a shower, a long session of gardening, dishwashing, or any activity where your hands are wet before you practice. Your fingers will be less likely to develop blisters.
- In cold weather warm your hands up with a hot beverage, jumping jacks, or finger-less gloves before practicing. This will help reduce the possibility of injury. From fall to late spring I wear wrist warmers while practicing.
Copyright information
Stephanie Claussen teaches harp lessons out of her home in St. Paul, Minnesota. She strives to ingrain in each student not only correct hand position, rhythm and a sense of musicality, but also a love for making music.