Harp Books and Videos

Compiled by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

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I recently posted a question to Harplist about ideas for good harp books and videos. Many thanks to the folks on Harplist for their suggestions! Special thanks to Ami McKay, Susan Stovall, Gayl McDermott, Pat Greenwell, Joanna Koss, Nina Bechtel, Jay Niederman, Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher, Pam Schulte.

Also see Harp publications.

Exercise and Technique Books

Harp Exercises : for Agility and Speed by Debbie Friou

"... a good one for starters. It's very do-able along with the Sylvia Woods books until you can find the time for lessons."

"Most people I know really like Deborah Friou's exercise book. My teacher says I can expect it to last me my entire career."
Metodo Per Arpa (Method for Harp) by Maria Grossi

"The standard for most pedal harpists and some lever harpists who have die-hard technique teachers. Since you have studied piano this one would be a good investment to make for the future. the text is in Italian, but the exercises speak for themselves. (Did you ever do Hannon or Czerny exercises for Piano? This is basically the harp equivalent.) You can order this book directly from Lyon and Healy."

"It's quite a big book, about 125 pages and all written in Italian, but never fear it's very self-explanatory. I can't tell from your e-mail address if you are Canadian or not, but if so, I got it from Alberta Harps in Lethbridge Alberta. The telephone # is 1-403-327-9495"

"I just purchased Grossi's Method for Harp. (Cheapest at Kolacny or Vanderbilt Music.) It is written in Italian but has been used by teachers for years. It has probably hundreds of exercises for improving your technique. Some of the exercises sound pretty good too! at least once you can play them with some speed."

LaRiviere method book

"I swear by the LaRiviere method book. Many of the exercises can be played on lever harp, and this book REALLY isolates your fingers.....it made me more aware of the uneveness of strength in my fingers. They LOOK easy, but they are really killers! I've done the Grossi, I've done the Bochsa....but the LaRiviere is really tops, in my opinion, for developing good basic technique and finger independence."

Exercises For The Harp

"By Bochsa. Comes in three volumes, in French...called something like 'exercise pour le harpe' or 'etudes pour le harpe'."

Levers Up! Thumbs Up!

"I just got a new exercise book that my harp teacher suggested. It is called Levers Up! Thumbs Up! a beginning Harp book for Adults. by Kathy Bundock Moore. I think they assume that you read music already. States it can covered in 10 -20 lessons. The book looks to be written well."

Instructional Videos

Teach Yourself To Play The Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods

Also available with an instructional cassette, CD, and/or book. See the Sylvia Woods Harp Center for ordering info.

Play The Harp Today by Laura Riley

Produced by Dusty Strings. Other videos in this series: Harp: Beyond The Basics, Advanced Celtic Harp, An Introduction To Multi-Course Harps. Available through the Laura Riley website.

The Easy Video Harp Method by Alfredo Rolando Rotiz

Two video collection, also available in NTSC and PAL format. See the author's website.

Instructional Books

Teach Yourself To Play The Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods

Also available with an instructional cassette, CD, and/or video. See the Sylvia Woods Harp Center for ordering info.

The Harper's Handbook by Laura Riley

"A practical guide for all levels, covering such topics as Practicing Effectively, Posture, Stage Fright, Using Sound Systems, and much more. The Handbook has recently been revised and updated. Now included is all the information on prevention and correction of chronic harp-related injury which was formerly included in Laurie's popular book on that subject. The two books have been combined into one." Available through the Laura Riley website.

Basic Harp For Beginners (by Laura Riley?)

Published by Mel Bay. Available through the Laura Riley website.

Stephanie Curcio series of beginner books

See Stephanie Curcio's website for a complete listing of all instructional material. Includes a graded, three-book tutorial series for harp students, age 9 to adult.

Miscellaneous Recommendations

"If you like early music, I recommend Deborah Friou"s early music and renaissance music books. They are generally pretty easy to play for beginners. I am working through a number of pieces in the early music book and am enjoying it."
Susann McDonald & Linda Wood Harp Solo series

"Volume One has some great easy pieces that help learn technique. I have both Volune Two and Three but have only learned a few from each. The Processional in Volume Two is great and is worth purchasing this volume just for that piece (my teacher uses it for weddings) and it is not too difficult."