Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners (Basic Series) [Paperback]

Laurie Riley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Basic Series | Publication Date: March 1994

A basic, easy-to-understand, step-by-step method about playing the harp. Extensively illustrated, this book is for musicians of all levels, requiring only an interest in learning to play the harp. The material in the book can be applied to any type of harp (with or without pedals) and any type of music. Specific topics covered include basic positioning, tuning, and techniques, etudes, and a colorful selection of folk harp solos. Each section of the book is arranged to show the most efficient way to learn quickly and as easily.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"I didn't know a harp could do that!" is a remark often heard at Laurie Riley's concerts. Known for her ability to make a harp sound like a whole new instrument, she can make it speak, make it laugh and cry. Audiences feel her music as a visceral experience.

A professional musician since the age of ten, Laurie has toured throughout the US, in Canada, and in Ireland. She plays selections from around the world, from historical times, as well as compositions of her own. "The richness of various cultures' musical styles offers endless ways to express what I play. Whether it's Celtic, South American, Scandinavian, Israeli, Ukranian... there is something new in each tradition."

Through her playing, the double-strung harp has emerged as an exciting new sound in the world of harps. She was instrumental in designing the modern double-strung harp which has become popular in recent years among harpers. Two rows of strings played at the same time make this instrument sound like a duet of two harps.

She has recorded eleven albums of harp music, authored five books, and made five instructional videos. She also judges harp competitions and teaches for harp organizations in the US and abroad.

"As a musician, I am gratefully aware that I hold in my hands the experience of music as a metaphor for life, which is offered as a gift to all who gather to listen."

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786600217
• ISBN-13: 978-0786600212
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn the harp from a great teacher!, July 20, 2001

By 

Milkhouse (Pine Plains, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners (Basic Series) (Paperback)

Laurie Riley is an accomplished folk harper. Her book is arranged logically, and you learn to play the tunes sequentially, starting with simple pieces and moving along to more difficult ones.

The pieces themselves are nicely arranged, and you'll (very) soon be playing with both hands - important to me, because when I learned piano many years ago, I never progressed beyond the left hand exercises! So my belief was, it's difficult to play any instrument that requires both hands. Not true.

The one and only thing I didn't like about the book was the pictures that depicted how to hold your hands. They look as if the harper's hands and arms are being held abnormally and are full of tension. Keeping your muscles relaxed is of utmost importance, or you'll never progress to difficult pieces where your fingers need to move quickly and surely. I wish Ms Riley would update these pictures next time the book is updated to show a more relaxed stance.

I'm well into my adulthood (late 40's) and have made excellent progress using this book (and the Sylvia Woods "Learn to Play the Harp" book, used in tandem). I highly recommend it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Begin the Harp, March 23, 2008

By 

Lilu Tule "Harp Pixi" (VT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners (Basic Series) (Paperback)

This moves too quickly through the lessons. Accompanied by a teacher it may make more sense, but alone and with no prior experience it is, in my opinion, not a worth while investment. Many of the lessons include only a few lines of certain songs, which is frustrating if you want to play ALL of "Greensleeves". I would suggest "Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods" book and DVD, especially if you do not have a teacher handy.
This book is good for a quick review if you haven't played in a long time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should Have Bought This First, January 9, 2007

By 

Valerie Hawkes-Howat - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners (Basic Series) (Paperback)

I started out with the Nancy Calthorpe book but later bought this one because I was left with too many unanswered questions. I would choose this as a first purchase if you are interested in teaching yourself to play the harp. There are some good tunes in this book as well.