6 Common SCALE Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Scales and especially crossunders can be one of the hardest things for harp students to master. And having trouble with scales can often mean having trouble with playing melodies in the songs you want to play, because cross overs, cross unders, and scale passages are all over the place in harp music. To help you play smooth and fast scales, let’s explore some common mistakes and how to correct them.

What is a Scale?

A scale involves playing every string between two notes with the same name. Typically what makes them difficult are the places where you have to cross your fourth finger under or your thumb over to maintain proper fingering while moving up or down the scale.

1. Lack of Space At The Thumb

One common mistake is not maintaining enough space between your thumb and second finger. If your hand feels cramped, this could be the issue.

Solution: Keep your hand open and rounded, as if you’re holding a cup. Ensuring that your hand position is correct will allow your fingers to move freely.

2. Incorrect Finger Placement

When crossing under or over, proper finger placement is crucial.

• For a crossunder going up, place your fourth finger low on the string.

• For a crossover, ensure your thumb is positioned high.

Avoid leaving your thumb in place; proper height makes it easier to reposition your fingers smoothly.

3. Not Moving Your Arm and Elbow

Another mistake is keeping your elbow and arm static while playing scales. If you start with your elbow in one position and try to move your hand elsewhere, it can become uncomfortable.

Solution: As you play, allow your elbow and arm to move along with your hand. When crossing under or over, think of your elbow leading your hand, especially as you reach higher on the harp—your elbows should move out, back, and up.

4. Finger Placement After Crosses

When replacing fingers after a cross, not opening and placing them together can slow down your scales.

Solution: Practice moving your hand forward or backward while simultaneously opening all your fingers into position. This way, you minimize the time spent on individual placements.

5. Excessive Hand Rotation

Too much rotation in your hand can lead to choppy scales. This might occur if you tip your hand forward when playing your thumb, or if you rotate outward after a crossunder.

Solution: Maintain a steady hand angle throughout your scale. Practice slowly, ensuring your hand doesn’t rock forward when playing your thumb. For outward rotation, focus on lifting your thumb high and moving it parallel to the harp strings during replacements.

6. Practicing Scales in Only One Key

Focusing solely on one key can lead to confusion when encountering scale passages in different keys.

Solution: Practice scales in various keys to familiarize yourself with different fingerings and improve your pedal or lever skills. If you need a resource for scale fingerings and settings in different keys, check out my ebook, designed specifically for harpists!

By addressing these common mistakes, you’ll find your scales becoming smoother and more fluid in no time. To see these tips in action, watch this video I've made on the subject.

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