From: blues doctor Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 12:09:58 -0400 (EDT) Subject: blind student
chpu~lpha.nlu.edu, Was inquiring about help for teaching a blind student to play harp. I have had a few blind students and I found that using an inexpensive metronome was best for developing meter. I always start with a C diatonic harp teaching the "do,ra,me" scale and then pick a song that we can both agree upon. This makes it easier if the song is one they can visulize in there mind. Working from this primus I start bringing other things into the fold such as bends, tongue blocks, ect. I also found that getting them a copy of Blind Rev. Gary Davis "Say no to the devil" was felpful, in that it shows what a good harp player can do blind or not and it has a particular cut called "Hold to God's unchanging hand" and there is a lot of room for improvisation in the song. If you need a copy e-mail me. Also I can research it for you at no charge. I'm sure there must be more info available at the university where I teach. stev~sit.net the blues doctor
