instructional intensive program
The Highly Individualized Instructional Intensive
Through the years, people throughout the country have requested Edie to teach them to play the harp as she does in our certification program—showing students how to make beautiful music by improvising freely and playing by ear. We are thrilled to announce that, on a very limited basis, Edie is offering lessons in the form of a 15 day instructional intensive. Here is what you’ll receive:
- 11 private lessons with Edie Elkan, Founding Director of Bedside Harp, who will teach you how to play your instrument the Bedside Harp way. Whether a beginner or a more seasoned player, with a music background or not, you’ll learn how to make beautiful music by improvising, playing by ear, and playing from a fake book. What’s more, you’ll understand why something sounds beautiful or not and perhaps most importantly, how to turn a musical grimace into a smile.
- Unlimited visits to Bedside Harp classes and harp circles in our area over the course of the 15 days where you can participate or just observe.
- All materials, music, and books, including the hot-off-the-press September 2010 Bedside Harp Everything Book containing well over 100 tunes appropriate for bedside playing, practice cds, and a personalized syllabus..
* when instructional intensives are held in any area other than Bensalem, PA, we will do our best to arrange for you to attend as many Bedside Harp group gatherings as we are able.
** dates will be pre-arranged between Edie and the student prior to the start of the Intensive, however in an effort to best serve the student, the schedule may be adjusted somewhat once lessons commence.
Student Comments
Our first student to take this intensive in September 2006 offered us these comments on her experience:
On harp basics: how to hold the instrument; how to care for instrument; how to tune:
“Excellent teaching and supportive group of fellow teachers and staff.”
On technique:
“The combination of an outlook, a philosophy of making beautiful music, combined with music theory and specific training is ideal. Watching Edie’s technique was most valuable.
On music theory:
“Music theory was presented in a precise and yet profound way.”
On using a lead sheet/fake book:
“It was encouraging and exciting to play familiar tunes that had been simplified.”
On playing by ear:
“I felt affirmed and came to trust by ability to play by ear. And the closing ritual was beautiful. Thanks so for it all.”