What "Level" Are You?

1.  Newbie

Touched the harp for the first time yesterday.  A clean slate!  Surpirisingly, this is a prime time to come to a conference.  Even if all you do is go to classes and observe, it will change the rest of your life.  You’ll meet amazing people, hear the harp played right, and get wide horizons.  It will change the way you learn over the years.  Come relax, enjoy, and be immersed in the heaven of the harp!  Be sure and see the concerts.

2.  Early Beginner

New to the harp but basic familiarity with the notes. You can play melodies or chords one hand at a time.  It’s a SUPER time to attend SEHW and there are some classes appropriate for your level where you can get new ideas and skills.  Then there are classes above your “immediate take-home skill level” but you’ll get important things by “absorbing through osmosis.” 

You can enjoy the ambience, see some of the best harpers in the world, and be inspired towards a great future.  This is a VERY important “good start” for your harp life.  Let other participants know you are a beginner and you’ll be amazed how welcoming everyone is.  It’s harp-community heaven.  Bring a recording device.

3.  Experienced beginner

You have basic knowledge of the notes; you’re able to play simple tunes with both hands together.  At SEHW you’ll get SOOOOOO much vision as you see how world-class harpers play.  There are “take home” cool skills for you here.  Also you can absorb a lot “through osmosis” in classes with some parts “above your pay grade.”

The nurturing ambience at SEHW is beautiful.  Experienced harpers welcome you; let them know you are getting started.  VERY VALUABLE TO YOU at your level:  learning better technique before you get into bad habits, learning how to practice effectively, learning about arpeggios, and being exposed to varied types of music so you can decide what kinds of things you want to learn as you grow. SEHW is friendly, relaxed, and will be a highlight of your life!  Bring a recording device.

4.  Early Intermediate

You’re able to play with two hands at a moderate pace, with basic knowledge of chord structure, and you can either read from a lead sheet or play by memory.  You are at a level to get a lots  of take-homes, usable skills, a huge sense of the possible, and new friends.  SEHW will be a turning point in your harp-life.  

You’ll get ways to improve your tone, ergonomics, and your ability to learn.  There’s a lot for you about overcoming fears, improving rhythm / dynamics, about simplifying tunes, ear training, arpeggios, ear-training, tone, harp care, fingering, and treasures you cannot even imagine now.  You’ll have beautiful new tunes to take home, too!  It feels like being immersed in a harp HEAVEN, communing with others who love the harp.  Bring a recording device.

5.  Experienced Intermediate

You’re comfortable playing two hand arrangements at various tempos, with general knowledge of chord structure and basic theory, and you can read from a lead sheet and/or you can play and learn by ear. 

You are at the level where you are ready to absorb just about ANY class during the weekend.  You can gain inspiration and take home tons of skills to develop.  You get to  hear world-class harpers, which will spur you to greater heights.  You’ll have many new tunes to take home, in interesting genres to give your repertoire a new kick.  This conference is like a HUGE smorgasbord at your level.  Bring a recording device.

6.  Advanced

You have several years experience on the harp, are able to play at a brisk pace, and you have general knowledge of varied meters and basic theory… can swim 100 yards of nonstop freestyle improv, can stay afloat for a 2 hour gig and can do a standing dive into new, unexplored territory. 

Advanced harpers and professionals return year after year to SEHW.  At your level you can quickly grasp tricks to IMMEDIATELY enlarge your toolbox.  You’ll also find some classes to challenge you, and an ambience that renews you and gets you out of any ruts.  Take home beautiful tunes in genres you may not have experienced before.  Explode your horizons by being with some of the MOST AMAZING harpers in the world!  Bring a recording device.

“EVERYONE - participants, presenters, vendors,

kitchen crew - was so friendly and helpful and kind.

No snide remarks or back-biting or jealousy - lots of generosity and interest and kindness. 

Also, I loved the wide variety of harps to see and try.”

-Cherie Gullerud