Things to Keep in Mind

The harp has been part of mariachi tradition since the early 1500s. In the early ensembles of southern Jalisco, a typical group was made up of four musicians: two violins, a guitarra de golpe, and a harp. In those days, the harp carried the bass line—a role it held for many years. But as mariachi music evolved and became more standardized, the guitarrón took over bass duties, and the harp gradually faded from the core lineup.

In recent years, however, the harp has found its way back into the mariachi ensemble. Thanks to modern composers and a growing appreciation for regional styles, the harp is once again considered a standard instrument in the group. While its primary function is still to provide the bass line, there's now room to explore harmonic playing—especially in a style influenced by the harps of Veracruz.

This course is meant to help you, the beginning harpist, get comfortable with the basics. You’ll find a series of exercises designed to help you ease into the instrument gradually. One thing to keep in mind: with the harp, it’s often more important to focus on the physical feel of the instrument than on knowing the notes right away. That’ll come with time. Also, a good rule of thumb—whatever you practice with your right hand, practice with your left too. It'll make you a more balanced and versatile player.

My goal is for you to feel confident enough on the harp to improvise over basic chord progressions—like the ones shown in the video above. There aren't many resources out there on mariachi harp, so make sure you’re constantly listening to recordings and immersing yourself in the sound. Don’t get discouraged—this is a really fun style of music!

– David