Learning To Play The Harp With Rajiv Surendra

Practicing music is an important part of Rajiv's life and his harp is his most cherished instrument. Sitting down and practicing every day is a task that Rajiv tries to work into his schedule, but having a teacher and regular lessons is vital to constructive practice. Today Rajiv is joined by his teacher, Kristi Shade, who introduces us to the mechanics of a concert grand harp and shares an approach to learning music that can be applied to any instrument.

For more information on harps, and particularly Rajiv's Style 30 Harp, visit

 🔴 RECOMMENDED VIDEOS/PLAYLISTS

★ TABLE OF CONTENTS ★
• 1:12 Introducing Kristi Shade Who Plays The Harp On Broadway In Wicked, Camelot, And Sweeney Todd
• 2:50 Played with Florence and the Machine at the Met Gala (small demo)
• 5:40 A Harpist’s Career
• 7:00 Know How To Practice
• 9:30 The Pedal Harp
• 10:24 The Pedal Harp Overview
• 11:27 Pedals Used for Flat, Natural, Sharp For The 47 Strings
• 13:30 Brief History Of The Harp And What The Strings Are Made Out Of
• 16:12 Materials Of The Harp
• 18:00 Rajiv’s Lesson And The Basic Harp Warmup
• 25:00 Connecting Your Brain To What You Are Playing Harmonically Idea
• 26:34 The Arpeggio Warmup
• 30:17 Practice To Fix Mantra
• 33:00 Pre-Setting Pedals And Marking Pedal Changes For Practice
• 42:00 It’s Very Hard To Play With All Of You Watching!
• 45:00 Kristi Shade's Harp Interpretation
• 48:00 Playing something To Inspire And Claude Debussy's First Arabesque Harp Interpretation

💡 TOPICS IN THIS VIDEO 💡
• Practice With Purpose To play It Properly
• Achieving Rhythmic Integrity
• Metronome Harp Practice
• Pedal Harp Overview
• Difference Between Pedal and Lever Harps
• Troubadour Harp Lever Harp and Pedal Harp Differences
• You Have To Work Like The Devil To Play Like An Angel
• Flat Natural or Sharp Positions For Pedals
• Harp Music Theory To Practice Scales and Triads
• Harp Hand Positions
• 3 Strings Create 3 Different Instruments Inside The Harp
• A Standard Harp Lesson
• Playing For Inspiration
• Harp Interpretation Of Claude Debussy's First Arabesque

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🔴 *** ABOUT THIS CHANNEL ***
Welcome to my YouTube Channel! I've been immersed in the creative and domestic arts for all my life and its a real honor to be sharing my interests with you.

🔎 HASHTAGS
#Rajiv

#Rajivsurendra
#harp
#playingtheharp
#Harplesson

[ranji]

Your passion of learning anything and everything truly a gift Rajiv. You not only wanting to do something, you make the time and effort to achieve it. Which is truly an amazing quality to have. 👏🙏❤️ only a limited people in the world who puts the mind to work at it’s full potential. Bravo Rajiv. 🙇‍♂️

[Rositasparks]

My Ukrainian father in law ( born and raised in Argentina) played the harp ( he played it at our wedding reception) he was SELF taught ( he also played piano, accordion, guitar and spoke 7 languages and held no formal degree) He always used a beautiful folkloric harp, hand made in Paraguay ( where I lived for 8 years) Go listen to some traditional folkloric harp music from Paraguay 🇵🇾 sometime, you will be inspired…thanks for the great video today ❤

[susanjacquier]

Here in Australia, I was a Palliative care volunteer. I went to a conference where we learned so much about supporting the dying and their families.
One amazing thing I learned, was that was a harpist that often played at a hospice here in Adelaide. He would often be asked to play for a family member ( not in their room, but nearby mostly). One of the most moving times, was when a teenager ( who usually liked heavy metal) asked for him to play.
Yes the music of angels❤.

[niguwinslow]

It is hard when everyone is watching and playing with your hands and your eyes keeping watch at the book is another level of challenging. But practice makes perfect. You are doing a good effort in your practice.

[solsticesummer]

No need to feel nervous playing for us. You’re learning something I’ll never be able to do, let alone judge. I love seeing you immerse yourself in your interests, and bring us along. 🙂🤓💜 This is simply beautiful

[sharonnocera]

I love watching your videos Rajiv!!! Watching you writing your titles on the chalkboard made me think. Has Rajiv done a video on how to write cursive ? Please do! It’s beautiful.

[stevcowb]

The moment you mentioned Florence, i got so deeply excited for the rest of this video, you know what’s up, Rajiv

[pamelavans]

Absolutely exquisite. If everyone played an instrument, and tended plants, I have to imagine that the world would be a much less aggressive, violent and toxic place to strive and thrive in.

[cynthia]

She's fabulous and such a calming soul to have as a teacher; you are truly blessed to have her.
I'm not certain that I've ever seen you when you do not have your gold bracelets on. I'm certain they would scratch and bang against the sound board and trim on the edges. I thought maybe they were affixed to your wrists. You've never told us the story/history or tradition of them. They're beautiful! I recently met a young man that likes to do all sorts of handcrafting. I told him about your channel and said, like Kristi, that you are a renaissance man.

[mandyb]

I own a Style 30 that I heard played in the USA international harp competition, while sick in bed with the Flu in New Zealand! Kristi has a beautiful calm, patient presence, which is so important as a teacher.

[ritabutler]

How did you hook up with Christy as a teacher? What a gift. She has such a wonderful peaceful presence.

[trishc]

I had never stopped to consider how notes are sharped or flatted on the harp. Learning that alone was worth watching this video. I was interested in learning more about your teacher and went to her website, only to discover that one of her upcoming appearances is with … me! Well, not me alone but with New Choral Society. Lucky me!

[betsylindsay]

Nothing less than heavenly music from semi-angelic Rajiv. A magical, transcendent, experience. TY

[pegzsik]

I started learning the harp 2 years ago. The more I practice the more I want to. This has never happened with any other instrument I’ve tried. Although it takes discipline, I find improvement every day.

[trishc]

Didn’t know what I didn’t know about the pedal harp until I watched this wonderful video. I went to Kristi Shade’s website and was stunned to see that she will be the harpist for the Brahms Requiem concert I will be singing in October 2023 as a member of the New Choral Society!! Hope I can stop fangirling long enough to remember to sing 😀

[guywolff]

I loved the look at the three different tones of the strings ..Love the depth of warmth in the mid range, the power in the bass, and the brightness on top .. This is a great look at not letting the process of practicing getting away from the reality of what you are going for ..Going back and slowing down to get the attack even and in time with a metronome says a lot on how one gets to the finished piece ..Once your fingers have the memory in them you can go on to the story telling of the music itself ... The magic of the tone of that harp in that room is unforgettable in person :) Thanks for sharing this one Rajiv .I know how vulnerable one is during the process of getting the music into ones hands .. YOu are always a brave man .. See you soon, Guy

[r.l.howard]

Rajiv, your videos are so sincere, elegant, and informative. Thank you for sharing your beautiful curiosity with us!!!

[claudiamann]

You are so lucky to have such a wonderful teacher. Her piece was beautiful and it's so nice to hear the harp by itself once. They often get lost in an entire orchestra. Thank you so much for sharing. You have no reason to be nervous Rajiv - you play beautifully.

[linaD]

What a blessing Rajiv, your commitment to learning your craft and to have such an experienced and knowledgeable teacher.
Thank you for sharing this lesson with us and for being so humble in allowing us to see that it takes real work and practice to become good at any “thing”.

[maggiesanmiguel]

You're one of my favorite ways to start a day! Thank you, Rajiv.❤