The Harp Newbies series includes three books for each level that when used together, will help those who are new to harp develop skills in music reading, technique, and music theory. The three books for each level are: The Lesson Book, The Tune Book, and The Activity Book.
These three Level 1 PDFs are the easiest of the series.
The Lesson Book - Level 1:
This book is designed with the beginning harp student in mind who has never played an instrument and who needs to learn from the very start how to read notes. Since many "newbies" are renting a small harp, or have purchased a small harp to start, the notes in this first book will fit on a 26-string harp. The pace is comfortable, and new notes are presented two at a time. If you have never read music before, you'll be able to keep up just fine! This PDF is 39 pages.
The Tune Book - Level 1:
This is not simply a book of tunes, but also includes reminders about fingering, tone, solid rhythm, and musicality. Each piece reinforces what is covered in a corresponding page in The Lesson book. There are instructions for when to start each one so that you won't find yourself playing pieces that use more notes than you know, or notations that you have not seen yet. Look for the "Play after page xx" note at the top of the page to stay in sync with the Lesson book. These timeless public domain pieces include songs from early childhood, folk tunes from around the world, Christmas carols, and classics. This PDF is 29 pages.
The Activity Book - Level 1:
This book provides more practice with music theory and harp technique through five types of activities: playing; writing; doing (such things as hand clapping); listening; and watching. There are 24 videos to watch online (links are provided), as well as 4 audio tracks. There are also answers online for all the written assignments. A new harpist can use this book along with the Lesson book (and also the Tune book) with or without a harp teacher. This PDF is 32 pages.
Click on the blue titles below to see a sample of the first few lines of music.
CONTENTS OF THE TUNE BOOK
- A Tisket, A Tasket (version 1)
- Mary Had a Little Lamb
- It Was Against the Rule
- A Tisket, A Tasket (version 2)
- Jericho
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- Song of the Volga Boatmen
- Sleep, Baby, Sleep
- Old Joe Clark
- A Tisket, A Tasket (version 3)
- Old MacDonald
- Aura Lee
- Good King Wenceslas
- Pachelbel's Canon Variations
- Bingo
- Red River Valley
- Banks of the Ohio
- All Through the Night (version 1)
- Hey Lolly, Lolly
- Rose, Rose
- O Sanctissima
- Joy to the World (version 1)
- Garryowen (version 1)
- Finlandia Hymn (version 1)
- Liebestraum
- Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Minuet
- All Through the Night (version 2)
- Garryowen (version 2)
- Joy to the World (version 2)
- Finlandia Hymn (version 2)
- How Can I Keep From Singing
- Waltz of the little Girls