Posture, hand position, and recognition of strings and levers
- Maintain appropriate posture with relaxed shoulders
- Play with a relaxed, curved hand shape, maintaining lowered wrist position and a gap between thumb and finger within repertoire that demands more connected finger placing
- Recognise, and become fluent at recognising, the entire range of notes
- Extend the range of lever position changes to encompass a greater variety of keys
- For pedal harp, recognise and begin moving pedals into position at the beginning of a passage without looking at the feet
Explain how the right elbow and forearm freely move up and down the side of the harp as required. Ask learners to play various notes within different octaves to practise this arm movement.
Explain and demonstrate a range of physical warm-ups, at and away from the harp, to encourage relaxed shoulders, a supported spine, supple wrists, etc.
Be aware of learners’ individual physical characteristics and make adaptations as appropriate.
For pedal harp, demonstrate how pedals are moved silently, with the harp back in playing position and the hands damping the strings. Ask learners to set a harp set in C major to keys with only one or two pedal movements, e.g. G major, F major etc.
Learners will require appropriate footwear for keeping the heels on floor and moving the pedals quietly. Keeping the feet flat on the floor may not be possible at this point if learners are very young and struggle to reach.
Explore the progression of this Learning Objective
Continue exploring the current Programme of Study
