A Workout for More Than Your Fingers

If harp playing were just about our fingers, it wouldn’t be such hard work. 

We ask a lot of our fingers, naturally. We want them to play faster, to produce a more beautiful tone, to have control over a large dynamic range, to play with energy and strength, yet be relaxed and flexible. That’s a daunting job description for the eight fingers that we use to play the harp. And they can’t do all that on their own. They need some support from the rest of your body. That’s right - playing the harp is a whole body workout.

Support for your fingers actually begins from your feet. Let them rest flat on the floor or resting lightly on the C and F pedals with your heels on the floor. With your feet as a foundation, check your back; you should be sitting tall and straight, not twisted or hunched. Use your core muscles to support you.  

Next, release and relax your shoulders. Immediately, you will feel your chest open. This will help your breathing and increase the circulation of blood and oxygen to your fingers and your brain.

You may need to adjust the height of your seat to allow for this kind of good posture, and I encourage you to experiment. You will play and practice better when you are sitting in a comfortable and ergonomically correct position. Try this quick posture check: sit tall, suck in your stomach, lower your shoulders, then bring the harp back to you. Remember that the harp is made to come to you, not the other way around!

As you raise your arms to put your fingers on the strings, consider your upper arms. The muscles of your upper arms are made for heavy lifting. They are the gravity-resisters; they provide the support to let your hands and fingers travel freely and easily around the harp. Try lifting your elbows slightly – or more than slightly, if that’s how you were taught – and feel how your arm muscles naturally take over this critical function. Strong upper arm muscles will also allow your wrists to be loose and supple and your fingers to be relaxed on the strings. 

If you aren’t used to playing this way, you may notice some initial fatigue in your upper arms when you try it. This is a good sign; you are developing these muscles. While fatigue in your forearms means you must stop playing, relax and rest, fatigue in your upper arm muscles will build strength and endurance. 

Finally, consider the angle and movement of your head as you play. Be sure not to jut your chin; basic good posture is again the rule. Make sure, too, that your music stand is not too far to your left. Your head should not need to turn completely away from the strings to see the music. You can take a quick video of yourself playing to check this. If your head is turning from side to side as if you were watching  a tennis match, move your stand!