By Anne Sullivan
As the weeks rush toward the busy holiday season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. So many performances, so much music to learn, so little time to just chill....
By Anne Sullivan
I don’t like starting a blog post with such a negative title, but I might as well admit it; sometimes we have to play music we just don’t like. You can probably...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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,...
