I don't know how important it is for you to play the harp, 
but it is one of the worst things you could have chosen to play 
considering the past injuries you have had. Playing the harp 
uses the same muscles and connective tissues as keyboarding 
and guitar, but adds the additional stress of holding the
arms extended forward.

It is possible to play the harp with your history, but you 
will have to be especially careful and pretty aggressive about 
the amount of time you spend stretching to compensate for the 
additional stresses you are adding to your hands and arms.

I would recommend stretches for the entire arm, biceps, 
orearm flexors and forearm extensors, fingers, palms, pectorals, 
triceps, upper back and shoulders, and armpits to make sure you 
are erasing as much of the stress of playing the harp as you can 
both before and after playing or practicing. You must be consistent 
with your stretching, and be willing to rest your hands
and arms as much as they tell you they need it, without exception.

Good luck! I always wanted to study the harp. It is a beautiful 
instrument. I hope you can make it work for you.

Sharon Butler

Jamie d. writes:

> I just started playing the harp. It's not full size, its about 21
> strings. I had tendonitis and trigger finger and I do keyboarding and
> play guitar.
>
> Any specific stretches or exercises I should do before or after
> playing? Is the harp potentially more harmful than guitar?
>