Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp [Spiral-bound]

Sylvia Woods (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1987

This is the first book written exclusively for the folk harp that teaches the student how to play the instrument, step by step. Each of the 12 lessons includes instructions, exercises and folk and classical pieces using the new skills and techniques taught in the lesson. This is an excellent book for any student, regardless of previous musical training.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Over the past 20 years, over 50,000 people have learned to play the harp using this useful beginning book. No previous experience is necessary! All you need is this book and a harp! A teacher comes in very handy as well, but if there isn't one in your area, you can teach yourself with the help of this book.

From the Author

If you want to learn to play the harp, this book can teach you how. Don't let anyone tell you that you are too old, or too musically deficient to play the harp. If you want to learn, YOU CAN LEARN TO PLAY THE HARP! And you'll have a great time doing it!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 80 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; 6th edition (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0960299033
• ISBN-13: 978-0960299034
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #907,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I can do it, so can you, July 20, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp (Spiral-bound)

I've been playing the folk harp for about three months. I'm already playing several classical pieces. Sylvia Woods' book has been immensely helpful in learning basics like fingering, plucking the strings correctly, and how to place your fingers in advance. Every harp player needs to develop good habits from the start, or it will become a problem later on when trying to play more difficult pieces. Proper placement is emphasized. Get the video if you can - it's helpful to see Ms Woods playing the pieces. She also points out any problematical areas in the video. The two work well together.

If you can find a harp teacher in your area, great! I have a wonderful teacher and we use the book to plan practice sessions and choose the next piece to memorize.

I don't read music (yet), so if you have trouble, just pencil in the names of the notes under the staff and play from that!

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Taught Myself to Play the Folk Harp, January 2, 2007

By 

Gwen Kramer "gwenhwyvar" (Sunny and not-so-sunny California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp (Spiral-bound)

I had always wanted to play the harp and two years ago, I finally bought a Harpsicle. Along with my harp, I bought Sylvia Woods's book. Sylvia's wonderful harp suite The Harp of Brandiswhiere was really what made me love the harp so it was only right that I try her book first. I'm glad I did, since after comparing it to other beginner books, I found it to be the best.

The songs in the book are actually songs that I enjoy and want to play. The lowest note is A below middle C and Sylvia has a paragraph on what to do if your harp does not have that note. My harp is 26 strings with C below middle C as the lowest note. I would not suggest anything with a smaller range.

Included in the book are songs like Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair, Sakura, Minstral Boy and Planxty Irwin. Sylvia peppers the text with music theory in managable doses. I already took classical guitar lesson so I knew a little but her notes were still very useful.

Being an adult learner who just wanted a fun and enjoyable hobby, I picked a relaxed teacher and enjoyed myself but she moved away pretty soon after so it was just me and Sylvia. I am happy to say that it worked out beautifully. I can play many of the songs in this book and am really enjoying myself. It's a cliche, but my only secret was practicing every day and always trying to improve on what I played the day before. Don't be scared, you can teach yourself this lovely instrument, you just have to be willing to work.

My only complaint is that the left hand is introduced later than I would have liked. By holding off, it makes it seem much harder than it really is. But that is a minor quibble for such a good lesson book.

The book is almost thirty years old and written in a time when there was not as much interest in the folk harp so naturally the presentation is less than pristine but for goodness sake, isn't it better to have a slightly less pretty book with good material instead of a lovely book that teaches you nothing? It's a no-brainer for me. And, yes, this book was written with the beginner in mind. That's exactly what I wanted.

As with any beginner book, no matter what the subject, it's a good idea to get a "second opinion", another beginner book to compare with.

In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with this book and I cheerfully recommend it to anyone interested in playing the folk harp.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good for a beginner, helpful to those with music theory, August 3, 1998

By 

Lucy Blais (Covelo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp (Spiral-bound)

This book is a good place to start if you have never before touched a harp. It starts at the beginning, and has a great deal of basic info (such as how to replace strings, which I use all the time!) The music is simple, but below the needs of people with knowledge of music theory, or piano experience.