Introduction to the Mariachi Harp
Harp Setup
Mariachi harps come in a variety of types, and each one may use a different tuning method—it really depends on the instrument you have.
If you're working with a traditional harp without tuning levers, you’ll need to manually tune the strings to match the key of the song or exercise you’re playing. This means retuning your harp whenever you change keys.
If you're lucky enough to have a lever harp, you're in for a bit more flexibility. Start by placing all the levers in the down (neutral) position and tune your harp to E-flat Major. From this setup, you can access a variety of keys by flipping the levers, which raise each string by a half step. For example, if you have a string tuned to E-flat, raising the lever changes it to E natural. Likewise, a C becomes C-sharp when the lever is engaged.
String Colors
To help you navigate the strings, harps use color-coding as a visual reference. The two most important notes, C (Do) and F (Fa), are always marked—but the colors can vary based on personal preference or manufacturer.
On my harp, for example:
C strings are blue or black
F strings are red
Get familiar with your own harp’s color scheme—it will help you orient yourself quickly as you play.
Octaves
Before anything else, it’s essential to get comfortable with octave spacing. This is one of the most fundamental intervals in mariachi harp playing since most of the music is played in octaves (rather than single notes, unless a solo or the composer indicates otherwise).
Octaves are usually played with your thumb and ring finger, as demonstrated in the video. Spend some time exploring the harp, playing octaves all across the instrument. Go slowly at first and gradually increase your speed as you gain control.
Key tip: Focus on accuracy, not speed. Precision is more important than playing fast.
Chords
Once you’re comfortable with octaves, it’s time to start working on chords. Learn the basic hand shape:
Ring – skip – middle – skip – index – thumb
It might feel strange at first, and that’s okay—your priority is to finger the chord correctly. Don’t stress about what the notes are right now; just get your hands used to the shape.
After you’re comfortable with the chord grip, repeat the same exercises you practiced with octaves—but this time, play them using the chord shape. These have been notated for you, and the video includes slight variations to demonstrate how flexible these exercises can be.