The First Steps: Course 3 provides the last in the first set of Beginner Harp
Lessons, finishing what could be considered the first year of harp study. It is designed for those who have taken the First Steps Courses
1 and 2. These three First Steps courses are designed for beginners with no prior harp lessons, for those who would
like to refresh their understanding of what it takes to play the harp,
and for teachers of beginning harp students.
The course includes around 90 minutes of short videos, arranged together
in the format of four lessons. The
participant can view these at any time and they can be revisited as
often as wished as they never expire. They can be a useful resource to refer back to, to
refresh basic concepts, or to deal with fundamental tension issues.
The numerous close-up videos and photos are an ideal supplement for visual learners.
The course covers: Focus on the wrist action, greater hands together coordination, especially focusing on the left hand; extended techniques of tapping on the soundboard and glissandi; learning about minor keys.
The Beginner Series Courses are all suitable for lever or pedal harp. This course uses the keys of C, F, and G major, and A and D minor (the G # lever is not necessary).
Music used is from Milldred Dilling's Old Tunes for New Harpists and the AMEB Series 1 Preliminary Harp books (links to purchase are included in the course information). If
you don't have the music you will still be able to follow the playing in the videos, as in Courses 1 and 2.
You can move at your own pace: choose to watch just the exercise
and one piece to understand and practice the new technical concept;
watch and learn the additional pieces to spend more time getting
comfortable and leaning more about the concept; watch the explanations
of harmony and how a minor key works, or skip ahead if this is something
you know already.
There are a total of five steps in the complete Beginner Level, equivalent to about five years of harp study.The Course is currently set up for one person per enrollment use only.
To include a One-on-one Lesson to complement this course, enroll in the Skype/Zoom Lesson Course as well.
All prices are in US$.
Your Instructor
Alice Giles AM is one of the world’s leading harpists, and also a dedicated and inspiring teacher. Winner of the prestigious 8th Israel International Harp Contest, she performs extensively as soloist and gives master-classes word-wide. Australian born, she studied in the US and spent many years living in Germany before returning to her roots, where she lives in rural New South Wales. Always ready for an adventure she has even performed on Mawson Station in Antarctica. She is Director of the Seven Harp Ensemble and Artistic Director of the non-profit company Harp Centre Australia. See more about Alice: www.alicegiles.com
Frequently Asked Questions
"Alice, these courses have been really helpful. Thankyou" Marc C. (Course 2)
"Thank you for your considered pace, and review sections. For those of us with a learning disability, it is so valuable. I actually find it easy to take in the information you're giving! I am very grateful." Phoebe (Course 1 + 2)
"I'm really enjoying my increased ability to 'see' the shapes and plan before hand, due to your foundational approach, Alice. When is course 3? I want to continue!!!" Dr John M. (Course 2)
"Alice your total philosophy of harp playing is contained in course one and two...The videos are so clear. There is no extra talking, no preaching about the harp, no personal stories. It is an excellent teaching tool given by an excellent teacher." Catherine Q. (Course 1+2)
These lessons are a revelation to me. I have been playing the harp for some years without practising raising and falling, with all its careful, relaxed movements. I can see the benefit very clearly." Margaret N. (Course 1 +2)
"Hi Alice, These supplements are great! Very helpful ...Many thanks, I’m very much enjoying your help for me restarting my harp journey." Phillip B.