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Printable Harp Lessons - Level 1 - one hand at a time

Level 1 consists of 4 sheets of multiple exercises, 4 hand-shape studies and 7 simple tunes for beginning harpists.  (Total of 15 pages). Every page includes placing brackets and detailed fingering along with explanatory notes.

Everything is written for single hand playing and is aimed at the beginning harpist or early intermediate harpist wishing to build muscle memory and coordination.  All in key of C except for Ye Banks and Braes which is in key of G (with an F#).

Enjoy!
Tune 01: Exercise #1
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Alison Vardy 
Description: 3 exercises in 1 that introduce & explain placing and fingering for thumb & first 2 fingers

image of sheet music

Download: .pdf


Tune 02: Exercise #2
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Alison Vardy 
Description: 3 exercises in 1 that introduce digit #4 with more challenging placement patterns, all explained and notated. Last exercise is also a familiar song
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf


Tune 03: Exercise #3
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Alison Vardy 
Description: 3 exercises in 1 that introduce simple 2-note and 3-note chords. Last exercise is also a familiar song
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 04: Exercise #4
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Trad. English
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Crossing over and under with notes ascending and descending +Greensleeves to practice on! 
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 05: Hand-shapes #1
Level: One - single hand
Composer:  Alison Vardy 
Description: Building finger muscle memory while enjoying a tuneful treat 
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 06: Hand-shapes #2
Level: One - single hand
Composer:  Alison Vardy 
Description: A melodic chord progression using downward moving triad inversions
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 07: Hand-shapes #3
Level: One - single hand
Composer:  Alison Vardy 
Description: A stretchy workout for the thumb & 3rd finger that satisfies the ear as well
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 08: Hand-shapes #4
Level: One - single hand
Composer:  Alison Vardy 
Description: Placing fingers up and down with different shapes and pleasing sounds
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 09: Moon over the Desolate Castle
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Rentaro Taki
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Traditional Japanese tune with haunting pentatonic structure
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 10: 
Star of the County Down
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Trad. Irish
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Popular Irish ballad written in one hand with fingering and placing brackets provided
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 11: Brian Boru
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Trad. Irish
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Another Irish melody, in 3 sections, with easy 'placings and fingerings
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf

Tune 12: Mingulay Boat Song
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Hugh Robertson
 Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: You can sing while playing this one!  Suggested accompaniments provided 
image of sheet music

Download: .pdf


Tune 13: Ye Banks and Braes
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Trad. Scotland
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Written in G so you'll need to raise the levers on your F strings to make an F# 
image of sheet music


Download: .pdf


Tune 14: Arran Boat Song
Level: One - single hand
Composer: Trad. 
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Scottish medley with harp-friendly fingering and placing. Suggested accompaniments provided.
image of sheet music


Download: .pdf


Tune 15: Cradle Song
Level: One - single hand
Composer: J. Scott Skinner
Arrangement: Alison Vardy 
Description: Both hands provided on this lovely melody, as a fast of what is to come!
image of sheet music


Download: .pdf

Alison Vardy
[email protected]

phone: 250.722.2912 
West Coast Harps 
2235 Hummingbird Drive
Nanaimo  BC  V9X 1G6
CANADA