Printable Harp Lessons - Level 2 - alternate hands
Level 2 consists of 4 sheets of exercises, 5 studies and 6 simple tunes for advanced beginner harpists. (Total of 17 pages). Every page provides placing brackets and fingering along with brief suggestions for playing.
Everything is written for hands alternating within the same piece of music and is aimed at the advanced beginner or early intermediate harpist wishing to build muscle memory and coordination. All in keys of C or G (indicated below) and all can be played on 24 - 26-string lap harps such as the Harpsicle family harps, County Kerry 24 and Christina Therapy harp.
Enjoy!
Everything is written for hands alternating within the same piece of music and is aimed at the advanced beginner or early intermediate harpist wishing to build muscle memory and coordination. All in keys of C or G (indicated below) and all can be played on 24 - 26-string lap harps such as the Harpsicle family harps, County Kerry 24 and Christina Therapy harp.
Enjoy!
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Tune 01: Exercise #1
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: 3 exercises in 1; right and left hands share simple melody lines. Excellent for building skills in placing, hand coordination and timing. |
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Tune 02: Exercise #2
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: Scales in two hands support a melodic theme. |
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Tune 03: Exercise #3
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: Bouncy, cheerful exercise, with the two hands taking turns in leading with the melody. |
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Tune 04: Exercise #4
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Trad. English Arrangement: Alison Vardy Description: Alternate hands playing two different hand-shapes up and down the harp make a composition as well as a useful exercise. |
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Tune 05: Study #1 (key of C)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: This is a popular first study for alternate hands. Accent the right hand notes and soften the left hand accompaniment for the best effect. |
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Tune 06: Study #2 (key of C)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: This is the favourite study of many of my students. It serves as an excellent performance piece as well as trains the hands and brain! |
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Tune 07: Study #3 (key of C)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: A more complex study that exercises the 4th (ring) finger in a repeating pattern which is progressive, intuitive and ear-friendly. |
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Tune 08: Study #4 (key of C)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: A rhythmic study where left hand leads and right hand mirrors with pleasing effect for player and listener. |
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Tune 09: Study #5 (key of G)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: The thumb gets a workout on this one as the fingers walk up and down the strings. Intuitive and pleasing to the ear. |
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Tune 10: Southwind (key of C)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Trad. Irish Arrangement: Alison Vardy Description: Beloved Irish melody arranged simply and effectively for playing by right and left hands alternately. |
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Tune 11: Y Dydd (key of G)
Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Trad. Wales Arrangement: Alison Vardy Description: A traditional Welsh tune that lends itself well to alternate hand playing. Both hands play in the same treble range of the harp. |
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Tune 12:
Derry Hornpipe (key of G) Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Trad. Irish Arrangement: Alison Vardy Description: Looks more difficult but isn't! Short placements with alternate hands means you'll get the hang of this one quickly. |
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Tune 13: The Tenth Degree (key of C) Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: Big intervals and the heart leaps in response. Left hand leads and right hand answers to lovely effect. A little more difficult to master than the previous three tune downloads but harp-friendly none-the-less. |
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Tune 14: Cross-strides (key of C) Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: A call and answer composition to the heartbeat rhythm of a march. Left hand leads but be careful... right hand doesn't always follow! |
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Tune 15: Cajun Flat (key of C) Level: Two - alternate hands Composer: Alison Vardy Description: A distinct Cajun feel to both the melody and meter of this composition. Harp-friendly fingering and placings provided to facilitate playing. |
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