Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods

If you have never played an instrument before, can't access a teacher, and don't read music, this isn't a bad book to have. If you can read, and have played any instrument before, find a teacher and get some advice and technique lessons. This book uses two treble clefs for quite a while, and then abruptly switches to both treble and bass, and doesn't have chords, arpeggiation practice or crossing thumb and finger practice as of yet ('m on Lesson 5) both of which are pretty key to playing the harp. So it's a fine book for an absolute novice and quickly somewhat frustrating if you've ever played any instrument before. My opinion is, technique really needs to be incorporated from day one. It doesn't make any sense to get months into playing an instrument before you are provided with integral information about how it is actually played.I also have the companion DVD, in which Sylvia talks you through each lesson in a very forthright, clear manner. But the DVD will make no sense without the book.

This DVD begins with the basic Yankee-Doodle and Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. Sylvia Woods does not insult your intelligence by lingering on children's nursery rhyme tunes for more than the first lesson (although I am big fan of Lavenders Blue). These are used as more of 'an introduction to your harp' sort of thing. Soon enough you are learning how to pre-place your fingers, cross-over, climbing, and rolled chords.At about lesson 5 you learn "Scarborough Fair", lesson 6; "Greensleeves", lesson 11; "Wild Mountain Thyme" and several other traditional Celtic tunes within each lesson.I have had lessons on the harp before, but for some reason this DVD was easier to follow and just the right speed. Worth every penny. After using the DVD and following it religiously I have already played at a couple of weddings!You should plan to buy the book after the second lesson however.

I purchased this DVD so I could hear how the songs in the matching book were played, and it certainly did achieve that. Sylvia Woods gives helpful hints an tips for all of the pieces. This was really a useful item in my journey to teach myself to play harp. I recommend it! It is well worth the price!

I got this for my wife who is new to harp. She also has the book that goes with this video - - it is a must since you play from the book and watch the videos of that song. Sylvia Woods is very precise in her instruction and this video with the book will take you a long way into the basics of harp playing.

There are not enough words to describe how I feel about this lesson book and DVD. I'm am so very greatful to Sylvia Woods for making such an easy to learn, easy to follow, easy to practice lesson plan. WOW! A dream come true for sure.If you have ever wondered what it would be like if you could play the harp... Wonder no longer! Do yourself a favor. Make a dream come true for youself and get this lesson plan with the DVD.When I'm ready to move up in my studies and buy a larger harp, I'll be traverling to Sylvia's Harp center in Southern CA to give her a BIG hug and make my purchace. Can't wait! Enjoy the sweet music my friends.God Bless.

I have very much enjoyed this book! While I can imagine that it might be pretty challenging if you have no music background whatsoever, I do think this book would make it possible. (I could already read music before starting this and played piano for many years). I'm about half-way through learning the pieces in the book on my little 26 stringer, and I have to say that this book has made it possible! The biggest virtue of this book to me is that it does not start you with lame, boring songs that you have to slog through to get to better stuff. Pretty early on, you are learning to play lovely--though simplified--little melodies, which is essential to keeping me interested.If you have no music background, I might recommend getting the DVD as well, but overall, this book has been a wonderful way to begin learning the lever harp!

The book is great. It starts well and increments smoothly. The CD is just Sylvia playing through each piece twice and giving a few tips. It's a little expensive for what it is.

Sylvia Woods is a well-known, highly respected performer and teacher of the folk harp. This DVD maintains the high standards she has set in her publications. With that in mind, it's a good idea to get her book of the same name as you work through the DVD (check the reviews of the book). Sylvia's playing is beautiful, and her knowledge immense. Her delivery can be somewhat intense, and sometimes I found myself wishing she'd lighten up, but this doesn't detract from the quality of the content. Her web site is [...] and gives lots of useful information on the harp. Happy harping!

This dvd is what you would call the pinnacle of learn to play music.It is informative well set out and easy to follow

This is an excellent DVD, but fortunately I had kept my old Dell with Vista installed since it would not play on my new HP laptop with Windows 10 installed. The DVD was made long ago before these updates on computers were made and is not compatible to newer versions of windows, I even tried installing a special program to try to accommodate it, but still had to revert back to my older Dell.

I think the dvd is essential for the book.Really well doneLike having a harp lesson from a very qualified teacher in your living room.

This DVD helps to reenforce all of the essential elements of learning to play the harp. Sylvia Woods is a good teacher and gives a clear presentation of the basics. She covers the correct method of sitting at the harp to the proper fingering for each piece introduced in the various lessons. I found this approach very helpful as it allows you the time to absorb and practice each step along the way. I would recommend the DVD and accompanying book - Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp.

Grazie a questo metodo sto davvero imparando a suonare l'arpa celtica! È spiegato tutto molto bene e gli esercizi sono progressivi. Consiglio anche l'acquisto del dvd, dove l'autrice mostra con lo strumento come fare. Bellissimo! Grazie Sylvia!