Five Fun Harp Things to Do This Weekend Nov 08, 2023

By Anne Sullivan 

Harp playing shouldn’t be all about the practice. Sometimes harp playing should just be fun. Here are 5 fun harp things to do this weekend. C

hoose your favorite and...

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Playing Beyond the Bar Line Nov 01, 2023

By Anne Sullivan

The bar line, that thin vertical line separating one measure from the next, is more powerful than you may think. It helps you play your music more easily but it can also slow you...

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Play Better Octaves Today! Oct 25, 2023

By Anne Sullivan

Octaves are so simple, an interval of the same note played with the thumb and fourth finger. They are a basic building block of music and something we learn to play early on in our...

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7 Reasons Tuning Your Harp Is Worth the Trouble Oct 18, 2023

By Anne Sullivan

Maybe you’ve heard this famous quote attributed to the composer Igor Stravinsky: Harpists spend 90 percent of their lives tuning their harps and 10 percent playing out of...

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Are You Doing Healthy Practice? Oct 11, 2023

By Anne Sullivan 

What is “healthy” practice?

Healthy practice isn't about eating right and exercising, although those are important. Healthy practice is practice that is fun,...

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Four Steps to Heavenly Harmonics Oct 04, 2023

By Anne Sullivan 

Harmonics are one of the loveliest harp sounds, with a beautiful bell-like tone. Your harmonics can sound that way too if you follow these four simple steps:

Step One: Find...

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No Teacup Pinkies! Sep 27, 2023

Does your pinky look like you’re having afternoon tea? Is it all curled up or sticking out? Very elegant, I’m sure, but not good for your harp playing or your hand.

The job of your...

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3 Reasons to Make Practice A Habit Sep 20, 2023

In my experience, the musicians who succeed in reaching their goals are those who are the most consistent in their approach. They create strong habits around their practice, study and performing,...

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The #1 Rule of Placing: The One Direction Rule Sep 13, 2023

One of the most important aspects of our harp technique is placing. Proper placing lets us play securely, accurately and quickly. It’s obvious if you give it a little thought. When your...

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Back to School with the SOS Practice Plan Sep 06, 2023

It’s September and the school year has started. 

A new school year is always a little exciting: new classes, new activities, new friends, new opportunities. Along with all the fun,...

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Let’s Play “What If” Aug 30, 2023

By Anne Sullivan 

Let’s play “what if.”

  • What if Mozart had written “Three Blind Mice?” 
  • What if Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony were played on a music box?...
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3 Things To Try When Hands Together Isn’t Working Aug 23, 2023

By Anne Sullivan 

Your right hand knows its notes. Your left hand knows its notes. So why can’t you put the hands together?

Hands together playing is a challenge for all of us harpists....

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