Learn to move pedals on your harp quietly.

"It Sounds More Like a Flamingo Dance Than Harp Music."
by Barbara Ann Fackler

"It Sounds More Like a Flamingo Dance Than Harp Music." August, 2018

We were listening to harp solo music this afternoon. Not recognizing the piece and not hearing the announcer identify the piece or the harpist so I asked my husband if he knew what piece we were hearing.

"It Sounds More Like a Flamingo Dance Than Harp Music."

So, a reminder to all of us. Listen to your feet. It's good to remember that your audience is going to listen to your feet if you don't. In many cases, pedals can be moved quietly.

Go tune your harp, find a piece you know well that's chromatic and listen to your feet so that your audience won't.

"Listen to Your Feet"
by Barbara Ann Fackler

When I was a student my teacher often reminded me to move pedals quietly. She did this until it was second nature for me to pay attention to my feet. If you spend time listening to other harpists, either in performance or on YouTube, you'll see why she gave this caution.

Musicians need to listen to many things at the same time. Listen for phrasing, steady rhythm, intonation and, if you're a pedal harpists, pedals. In most cases, it's possible to move pedals with no noise. Move them on the beat to hide any unavoidable noise and listen to identify places where more care needs to be taken. Don't spoil an otherwise lovely performance because you only listen to what your hands are doing. Listen to your feet as well.