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Harp Q&A: Getting to know you
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I first heard a Celtic harp at a renaissance fair, and fell in love. I was working the fair as a strolling singer (ghastly job!). I was behind a stack of hay bales having a beer, hiding from the “fair police” who make sure people aren’t hiding behind hay bales having a beer instead of actively performing. Someone nearby was playing a small harp and I was completely enchanted!
My 2021 harp goal is to accompany myself on the harp while singing. Now my musical life is split: I harp _or_ I sing. I want to put them together. (I was a classical voice major in college.)
My favorite thing about playing the harp is that people enjoy the sound even if you’re just practicing. A classical soprano warming up/practicing is NOT a source of unmitigated joy for all within earshot, LOL!!
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@joan.hall Love your sense of humor. The next time I’m at a Ren faire, I’ll be checking behind all those hay bales. 🤣
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Hi everyone. Nice to meet you all. I was on the patreon site but didn’t manage to keep up with things. I’m in the UK and would love to know how many people here are UK based?
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I started about 10 years ago when I saw an advert for harp therapy on Google. I’d never thought of it before that!
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
I do love a soppy ballad or a nice hymn.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
I’m just not playing my harp at all. I think it is a mix of lack of direction/tuition and being too self-critical. I hope to overcome this and start playing regularly and start to enjoy it.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
Seeing other people’s reactions to hearing it.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Any tips on overcoming my lack of commitment/desire to play would really be appreciated! 😊
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“Any tips on overcoming my lack of commitment/desire to play would really be appreciated!”
@tanya.stephens We could probably write an entire thread on that topic. Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way, which may or may not apply to your situation.
1. Solve any issues with your physical setup, for example: Is the lighting adequate? Is the music stand positioned correctly? Is your chair at the right height? If it’s a lap harp, would a stand help?
2. Tune your harp. If it hasn’t been played for a while, it’s out of tune.
3. Start a practice journal to track your progress.
4. Get a timer, or use an app on your phone. Set it for only 10 minutes to start. Knowing you have a limited amount of time will focus your attention. After 10 minutes, get up and do something else for a while, then come back to it again. Gradually increase the time.
5. Find one new piece of music that you really want to learn. Break it down into small, manageable chunks. Begin by working on only the first chunk, which might be 2 measures long. Don’t move to the next chunk until you can play the first one smoothly.
6. If you don’t feel like reading music, improvise. Christy-Lyn recently did a livestream explaining how, and it is totally fun to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Fa2RVAma8
Please report back and let us know how your practice sessions are going. We are all interested now.
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All great advice! Don’t mind me while I screen shot this list of wisdom for later review and application in my life 👍
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Hi Judiann
Thanks for the great advice. Funny you should mention the physical setup as I am constantly changing my mind about where to play, whether to use my stand or the lap bar, which room (I have a real hangup about not wanting my neighbours to hear me play, especially if I am repeating the same bit over and over etc). I’ve not quite mastered what works for me.
I have to admit, I struggle with sticking to one section. When I was learning Hallelujah I ended up skipping ahead once I’ve learnt the first few measures, and went on to play the rest without studying the lessons, which isn’t ideal! I definitely want to run before I can walk.
I appreciate the advice. Thanks! 🙂
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Hi Tanya,
I can totally recognize myself in the struggle to stick to progressive learning, I’m so frustrated to play only a small part, that I always run through the piece and don’t apply this wise advice from Christy-Lyn to work one small chunk after another. But that’s why I’m here and subscribed to the membership: having paid for these video lessons give me an extra-motivation to use them properly 😄 And I try to follow this method with Scarborough Fair that I’m learning right now. It’s so difficult to have this patience, but I already see some results on my technique !
I hope this will help 🙂
Regarding the neighbours hearing: you can put a carpet under your harp, it reduces the vibrations running through the floor. Not miraculous but it helps a little. Tested an approved by my neighbour who lives under my room!
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Hi Claire. Thanks for the advice about the carpet! I’m probably worrying for nothing anyway. It’s mainly the person who lives in the flat above my flat that I think might be able to hear, but I have asked him before and he said he doesn’t hear me so I should believe him! 😄 And as people often remind me, maybe people would enjoy hearing anyway!
Good luck with your Scarborough Fair. I think I might start that lesson too. I was going to learn Yesterday but just realised I do not have G levers so that lesson will have to wait until such a day when I add more levers to my harp.
We must learn to be patient and stick to the videos then 😁 Keep me posted on how you’re doing…perhaps it will encourage me to get on with playing 🤞x
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Yeah, good luck too! I think Scarborough Fair is ideal for our ‘patience’ challenge, because as non-absolute beginner, you can advance quite easily through the lesson, cause it’s quite simple, bit with a few tricky stuff (first, the desynchronized rythme between two hands, and also some crossing fingers, which I’m not used to). For me it’s definitely a good one to “re-start” practicing!
Let’s keep us updated in the classmate group 🙂
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Yes it does seem like a good one to start with right now. Enjoy learning the newer techniques!! I will make a proper start tomorrow when I have the day to myself. Looking forward to it! And I think speaking to people on here will really help to focus me more, it has been so lonely learning in isolation!
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What a great thread! Here are my responses:
Questions:
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp? My Aunt played professionally and was very encouraging when we would visit. I still remember how magical and special I felt when she taught me how to hold my hand and pluck a few strings. My mother had to hear me ask to learn ever since. fast forward nearly 40 years and I am finally learning!
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music? I had no idea about all the types before I started and of course want to learn some “pop/rock” songs but am gravitating more and more towards Celtic music.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021? To solidify my technique more, especially once my 34 string harp arrives, and slowly add to my repertoire.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp? It is my new happy place. I find it is so therapeutic. I also love the cognitive aspect of memorizing the songs and working out fingering. I get so excited when I finally get 2 hands working together, hahaha.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add? I could go on and on, but there is plenty of time for that!
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@libbyhitch Oooh, you’re waiting for your 34-string harp to arrive? Exciting 😃. Which one did you order?
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@judiann.maddigan the wait is killing me! I ordered a Sierra 34 Tripplet. Most recent update is it should be here some time in April, although not sure when yet.
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@libbyhitch Ooh, nice! 💓
The Triplett site says it comes with full Camacs, too. Lucky you! A harp like that is worth the wait.
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@judiann.maddigan YES! That was actually one of my deciding factors. In speaking with my teacher she mentioned them and the more looking I did it seemed like the right fit for me. And the fact I can personalise the abalone inlays, and other features won me over hands down. I blew my initial budget away, but I am ending up with a harp I know I will truly love.
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@libbyhitch Sounds perfect. You’re actually going to own your dream harp. Now you have all of us waiting right along with you. We’ll want to see photos just as soon as she arrives. 📷
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Oh, I will be bouncing off the walls and taking plenty of pictures & videos for sure! Hoping to have a more clear estimate of completion this week
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Hi Judiann and everyone, I’m so excited to find this platform and meet other harpers and harpists. What a great way for us to get to know each other.
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
Because it looks and sounds so beautiful, the celtic connection (my family are Cornish) and probably (subconsciously) the association with angels – who wouldn’t want to play heavenly music?!
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
I love it when the harp plays music outside of its traditional pigeon hole. Personally I love folk music though.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
I’d love to feel comfortable playing in public and adding my voice too.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
It’s sound and vibration as it rests against my shoulder. I love it’s shape, its simple construction and its sacredness.
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“I’d love to feel comfortable playing in public and adding my voice too.”
@Wild-Guru Wow, what a great goal. Beyond playing for my family, I have no interest in performance. Luckily, there are people like you, who will go out and share their music with the world. Wishing you all success with that.
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Thank you. I get very anxious, I shake and my hands sweat (I have CPTSD) so its going to be an uphill struggle but I’m learning how liberating it is to over come my fears.
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Sophie that sounds so hard to deal with CPTSD and performance anxiety! I’m so proud of you for reaching for the goal to feel comfortable with playing in public! I know you will get there.
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Hi Judiann, nice to meet you! Here are my answers:
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I was 22, had a new job, and was poking around ebay to see if by chance anyone had a lute for sale. I love English Renaissance music thanks to my mom. I saw a little harp instead and on impulse I bought it since I liked Celtic music too! That side is more from my dad. 🙂
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
Celtic, Celtic and more Celtic. I love the styles of Grainne Hambly, Sue Richards, etc. Really soon after I started playing I got involved in our local Scottish Games, got hooked on Scottish music and the people there. After helping to run our harp competition for several years, this year I became the sole harp chair for our Games committee. (But we’re not having a comp. due to the pandemic…so I get an extra year to prepare!!)
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
A) I’ve started doing zoom harp workshops last Fall, and have more taking shape for this year. When the craziness is over I would love to do some more in person.
B) Right now I’m really obsessed with session playing and I want to continue to get better at it and help other people get better at it.
C) Get back into performing in person – this time with friends!
D) Arrange a program for the US Scottish Harp Nationals which will hopefully, FINALLY take place in Ohio again in 2022, since 2020 and 2021 didn’t pan out! (Why didn’t I just compete in 2019?? Sigh. It’s been a goal for years and at this point I just want it off my bucket list so I can stop thinking about it, haha.)
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
The community it brings me. Ohio Scottish Arts School, not to mention the harp crowd on the internet, has given me lifelong friends. I’m also lucky that Cleveland where I live has a strong Irish-American community and amazing non-harp musicians (which I’m getting grandfathered into since I’m not Irish I just play the music, lol). This is the happiest and friendliest music on earth to me.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for starting the thread!
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@tiffanyharpandsong Nice to see you here, Tiffany. The very first tune I learned on harp was from your MuseScore file, Woe Betide Thy Weary Body. I slowed down the speed on your Tune Tutor video and studied every single pluck you made, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsh5iYj7WXY . Gosh, I can still remember the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment you gave me, when I realized I really would be able to learn the harp. Thank you and Christy-Lyn for enabling us beginners.
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That’s great Judiann, I’m so glad it helped you!
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1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I have played the piano my whole life (I’m 61), and about 30 years ago I met William Rees when he and his wife came to dinner at my sister’s; and he brought a harp. He encouraged my kids and I to play with it, and I absolutely fell in love. I remember coming home, going on his website, downloading a catalog, and dreaming about owning a harp for years! Fast forward another 15 years and my husband bought me a Sharpsicle for Christmas. Unfortunately, at the time I had three teenagers, a full-time job, and learning to play the harp was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. It ended up sitting on my dresser for another 15 years, but I still had dreams of the beautiful harps in the Rees Harps catalog.
I am now retired, and like so many others, the pandemic seemed like the perfect time to take my Sharpsicle off the shelf and learn to play it. Remembering how much I struggled at first, I figured I wanted to do it right and get a teacher. I started taking lessons with Josh Layne almost a year ago, and absolutely love it. I finally ordered my beautiful Mariposa dream harp from Rees Harps, and I’m waiting for it to be delivered, hopefully sometime within the next month!
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
Classical music was always my favorite on the piano, and it is the same with the harp. I am enjoying learning Celtic music though!
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
I really want to get over my “stage fright.” Even on the piano, in front of people I choke, and I have played the piano at church for about 20 years! I seem to do fine with a piece, and then when I’m in front of my teacher or anyone else, I’m a mess!!
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
It’s such an absolutely gorgeous instrument, and the sound is beautiful, and I think learning to play it is going to help keep my brain young! 😉
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I really enjoy meeting all of you. I think like most of you, I don’t know anyone else who plays the harp in “real life.” I hope to find other harpists geographically close to me, And I would love to do a meet up, and maybe even go to a harp conference some day.
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@lynda.von rader How special to have a personal connection to the maker of your harp. I looked up the Mariposa, and you’re right — it is beautiful. It must be hard to wait *patiently* for it to be delivered. Which wood did you select?
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A really cool story of how you felt in love with the harp, @lynda.von rader ! 😀 Very excited for you about the Mariposa!
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1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I can‘t remember. I think it was because I failed too learn the guitar, as my fingers where to weak for the strings. I looked for an instrument, that I could use to play while singing. I built a gothic harp in a harp building course 15 years ago, but then learned that I needed levers to play all the the music, I like. Then I had a on-off-relationship with my harp for at least 13 years. Two years ago I decided to really restart an save money for a lever harp. I bought one last Christmas.
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music? Folk and pop.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021? Finish Sylvia Woods’ book about arranging techniques, improve my skills in remembering music, improve my skills in playing and singing simultaneously.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp? I like the sound. And I enjoy, that I can easily grab my harp and take it anywhere I like, like a guitar, but with so much more lovely sound. (My lever harp is really small!)
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Looking forward to inspiration ❤️
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@EveHenry After putting in all the work to build your first harp, it must have been a real disappointment to realize you needed levers. Tunes can be transposed to harp-friendly keys, but not when you need to have a song in the best key for your voice. It’s great that your new harp has full levers. Nothing is going to hold you back now.
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Yes. A bit. But I still love the harp I built, although I do not play it since I have my lever harp.
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1. I grew up hearing a wonderful harpist at my church. That was the seed that was planted. 5 years ago when my 8 yo son had cancer, he had a music therapist that would come as a part of his hospice and “Music Mark” as we fondly called him played the guitar and relayed how music and specifically vibrations from the guitar and Hapi Drum can be very soothing. After my son passed, my daughter and I would go to a Christmas peace service by a woman who played the harp. We went a couple years until I came home and announced to my husband that I wanted to play the harp. We bought a harp kit. With no woodworking experiance, it took 10 months to get up the courage to attempt it. We had it together in 1 week. It has brought peace and comfort and was wonderful to have during my Covid furlough.
2. I love to play popular music, celtic, hymns, therapeutic or video game music.
3. I need to work on memorization. I like to sit down and play multiple things. Not staying on one thing too long.
4. I love the peace and calm that the harp brings to me physically and emotionally.
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@angela.young Everyone in this thread has explained what brought them to the harp, but no other story is as poignant as yours. Thank you for sharing it with us. It’s heartwarming to know that the harp has brought you some peace and comfort during such a difficult time. {{{hugs}}}
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Sorry, wrong place
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1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
One year of working from home, juggling taking care of family members that were recently hospitalized, I realized I didn’t do anything I wanted in 2020. I decided to buy a harp and do something about it. This site announcement came at a great time (while I was building my harp)
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
I fell in love with the celtic harp when I was a child, but all harp music sounds great! I love watching Youtube covers of pop songs and anime songs.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
Re-learn how to read sheet music, do some musical accompaniment for my church. But really, learn some songs I want to play.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
It sounds pretty good even if you are messing up. The notes of the harp are so therapeutic! I have so much stress in my life, playing a note will lower it so fast.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, all around the world!
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@melisa.kommala Good for you, treating yourself to a new harp. You deserve it, and your timing could not have been better. Since you want to relearn how to read sheet music, check this post: Free tools to learn to read sheet music .
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Hi everyone, finally I take some time to reply this Q&A, such a nice idea!
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I was wishing to play the harp since I was a kid, but don’t know from where I got this idea… My parents told me that I said it was because I wanted to do “like a princess in her castle” hahaha. But I it wasn’t teached where I lived, so I chose the recorder (yeah I know, no relation at all) when I started musical learning in music school as a child. Then, years passed by, after high school I didn’t play any instrument anymore (just kept singing in various choirs and ended up starting classical singing lessons a few years ago), and one day when I was in my 30’s, I went to a harp audition where a lot of people were playing, including kids. Then I thought : why not now?? Why not trying to realize this long-time dream? And I looked for a second hand small harp to buy, took a few lessons with an actual teacher, but she was far from my home, so I ended up discovering Christy-Lyn videos on YouTube and thought, okay, why not trying self-teaching! But these few lessons were very useful to get good technical basics. I also did a 4 days training course in a countryside where we were 12 harpists (some beginners and some very advanced musicians!) with 2 teachers. It was so great and very good to start the journey!
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
I’m not very into the “princess in her castle” style anymore, LOL, since I was a teenager I loved Celtic music, thanks to a trip in Ireland with my parents, who were listening a lot of folk music too, and also music from Britanny (France) like Alan Stivell etc. I’m also totally into ancient music from medieval and renaissance, also baroque. Not very fond of hymns and of modern pop songs, although Christy-Lyns arrangements are lovely. I really want to learn a traditional repertoire of old songs. But I like some movie soundtracks and well-known videogames music too, such as Lord of the Rings or Zelda. And just to be complete: I also listen a lot of rock and metal, but that’s not what I want to play ^^
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
I have some huge goals for 2021 : first, to practice regularly, because I have been a very bad pupil since I started 4 years ago, and l’m still at late beginner level, which is starting to be frustrating ^^ Also, to improve my technique so that I could actually play a whole song without mistakes or hesitation, because I still have a lot of clumsiness, coming not from reading problems, but from a bad coordination between hands. I have to practise memorization too, because I have the bad habit to have eyes stuck toi sheet musics, which doesn’t allow me to play fluently. And last but not least, my ultimate goal is to manage singing and playing together, as I’m singing since a long time, and have a millions ideas of songs that I would like to play and sing… I have to learn to be patient and start with very easy chords. Even this seems so difficult to me!
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
I love the sound and the look, and as it’s already have been said, the fact that even a few notes can sound so lovely and relaxing. Even basic exercises are nice for my ears and for friends and family, unlike singing exercises haha. I also like the fact that it’s an old instrument, so much related to history. And it’s nice to see everyone enchanted by this sound, even if I play at a very basic level!
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
It is wonderful to see this community of people all around the world encouraging each other, and moreover generous people like Christy-Lyn or Tiffany Schaefer (among others), who are so dedicated for self-taught beginners! A big thank you!!
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@Claire I was right there with you when you started listing your goals.
Practice regularly. ✔
Actually play a whole song without mistakes or hesitation. ✔
Practice memorization because my eyes are stuck to sheet music. ✔
I wish I could do all of those, too. But then you added:
My ultimate goal is to manage singing and playing together. ✖
That brought me to a grinding halt. I can’t imagine concentrating on both harp and voice simultaneously.
I’m not so sure you’ve left that “princess in her castle” style behind, lol. Medieval fits that image perfectly. Have you seen Tiffany’s ( @tiffanyharpandsong ) Carmen Vernale video? It’s easy to imagine a princess playing a medieval song for spring in the setting of that opening scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eflngHgcM9M
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Haha, maybe you’re right about the castle thing 😅
Yes, this medieval song is beautiful, I didn’t know this one, thanks! I recently discovered Tiffany’s videos and have been binge-watching them, but not this one yet. I’m seriously considering learning with her tune tutors as soon as I’ll have completed my course here, I love her repertoire and her style… And she has a few singing tune tutors too, how cool! To be honest, for the moment it is more a dream than a realistic goal, because it seems too much for my brain too, but I’m so determined!
Also, talking about scenery, another thing I’d really like to do: to be at ease enough with my harp playing to go practice in nature (I have a beautiful forest very close to my home). I did it once, but I was so stressed out each time I heard a walker approaching, that I ended up putting my harp aside and just enjoying the place ^^
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@Claire I linked to Tiffany’s ( @tiffanyharpandsong ) performance video, but she also has a Tune Tutor video for Carmen Vernale. I have to smile at her description for that one, though. She says << …learn Carmen Vernale “Spring Song” by ear in just a few minutes! >> That piece would take me several weeks. I’ve never learned anything on harp in just a few minutes 😅 . That piece would be worth the time, though. It’s lovely.
About playing in nature, I’m in Colorado USA and close enough to Garden of the Gods to go hiking there. Even the name of that park sounds like harps should be played there. Some areas are surrounded by soaring red rock formations, and I’ve often thought the acoustics must be like playing inside a cathedral. I would never actually do it, though. First, I only have a floor harp and there would be no way to lug it up a rocky trail (a perfect excuse). Second, I’d be too nervous to perform for anyone (the real reason). Third, I’d never want a stranger to think I was busking, lol.
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Hi everyone/lovin’ this discussion!
1.What made you decide to play the harp?
Like others: the beauty of the instrument and the sound it produced. I lived in Chicago & didn’t go to the Lyon&Healy building! Then I moved & regretted that fact. My Mom encouraged me in music (I’ve played 5 instruments before harp.) Mom passed away & that was it; I needed the harp!
2.What is your favourite style or genre of harp music?
I love therapy music (I am a beginner). Love Ann Crosby Gaudet music. Have a ton of it but l enjoy so many other styles too.
3. What are your harp related goals for 2021?
Easy answer but not easy to do!! I’ve mentioned that I tried to play for my Sis (over the phone due to covid) and flubbed a piece I loved and had memorized as I panic. I need to go beyond a self nurturing harpists to one who can play for others so they may enjoy the beauty of the music. Don’t know what the problem is. My adult son loves to hear me practice-no one has been critical-I am to hard on myself.
4.What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
I have PTSD and the harp grounds me. I’ve had a lot of trauma throughout my life and I get healing and peace through my harp. I love the challenge of learning and the accomplishment!
5.Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes. Two things. The instruments I played didn’t require bass and along came my Camac Excalibur, 38 string so I am struggling with getting sources to learn bass. I love those low strings & want to use them. Also, I love meeting other harpists. Christy-Lyn has does such a great job of gathering us together! The nearest harpist in my area is hours and hours away; so keep talking folks!!
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<< I need to go beyond a self nurturing harpists to one who can play for others so they may enjoy the beauty of the music. >>
@nightthunder That’s really an important concept. Maybe that’s why music therapists and harpists for worship services aren’t as bothered by performance anxiety. Music therapists are more concerned for their patients, and church musicians are more concerned about what the congregation is experiencing. Their motivations go beyond themselves.
<< Also, I love meeting other harpists. Christy-Lyn has does such a great job of gathering us together! >>
So true. I agree that Christy-Lyn has done a phenomenal job building this community. We come from all over the world, and every person I’ve met here has been friendly, kind, and considerate of other people’s feelings. That’s so rare in a public forum. When you described flubbing a piece you tried to play for your sister, every one of us could relate because we’ve all been there.
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<< The instruments I played didn’t require bass and along came my Camac Excalibur, 38 string so I am struggling with getting sources to learn bass. I love those low strings & want to use them. >>
@nightthunder I added a post to the Free tools to learn to read sheet music thread. It explains how to change the range to include your lower bass notes. Good luck with that. You’re going to become a pro at reading those low ledger lines.
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1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I have a fondness for stringed instruments such as the lute, mandolin, theorbo and classical guitar. I also enjoy classical music, and tune into podcasts about the subject of classical music. Well on one of those pod casts they had a harpist on and she went on to explain the history of the harp and it’s repertoire. That set the spark of my interest in this instrument, and down the rabbit hole of research that lead me to purchasing my first Harpsicle.
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
Classical/ Baroque pieces, Music from video games such as Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, and Chrono Trigger (Can link the actual songs cause they are really good), Jazz/Funk
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
My goal is to honestly get better at sight reading. I have no issue memorizing songs, but I feel it will be a crutch in the long run. Additionally I play an instrument called the hand pan which is like an inverted steel drum you play with your hands. I want to combine the two instruments some how when my skills are good enough with the harp. I
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
I enjoy the sound and color of the harp, and just making music in general.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I hope to interact with more harpists here and hope to learn and grow with
this instrument!
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@michael.stone Speaking of rabbit holes, you just sent me down one for harp & handpan duets. You say you want to combine them. How would that work? Play one hand on each? Alternate between them?
<< Music from video games such as Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, and Chrono Trigger (Can link the actual songs cause they are really good) >>
Please do. You can either link them here, or you can start a new thread in the Styles of Harp Music forum. Some anime and video games have wonderful soundtracks. I tend to like the slower melodies because that’s the only tempo I can manage as a beginner, but I’d be interested in your list.
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Well to your first question with some video magic. Where I will probably record playing my hand pan keeping a steady beat and tune and then improvise around it with the harp. And then using video editing software; sync them up in some fashion. That said its probably a lot more complicated than I am imagining and will require research on my part.
As for the links here are some good ones:
https://youtu.be/fyumWz9o92M (Fairy Fountain)
https://youtu.be/9emx0jUnJno (Zora’s Domain)
https://youtu.be/LQvyrArPUK4 (Final Fantasy Prelude)
https://youtu.be/8JKoqQ8YWsE (at the end of time)
After sending you all these I realize every one of these videos has a pedal harp, though I have seen arrangements for 34 or 36 string lever harp. haha. Hope you enjoy
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@michael.stone I enjoyed those videos. The technique and skill is beyond me at this point, but it was still nice to listen to. I can see where your idea of combining different instruments with “video magic” comes from. Neat!
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Hi everyone! I’ve recently started and am new to this site, pleased to see so many people on here!
1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
I fell in love with the sound of the Celtic harp when I was 13-14, thanks to Breton musicians Alan Stivell & Cécile Corbel (you may know her work if you’ve watched Studio Ghibli’s The Borrower Arrietty), and I’ve wanted to one day play the harp myself ever since. Since I’m working from home and will be for the foreseeable future, I finally decided to buy a harp – a lap harp kit, in fact – a few weeks ago and started practising then.
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
Celtic & folk music, but also anything mixing it with another genre (looking at you, Eluveitie!)
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
Build technique – this is going to be the big one, I play other string instruments but the harp technique is totally different! Also, I’d like to be able to play a few songs by the end of the year
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
Its dreamy sound and the range of songs you can play – I also own a 6-string medieval lyre and a 10-string kantele, and the range is a lot more limited.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m looking forward to exchanging stories and tips with all of you!
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@selkea Wow, Claire, you built your first harp from a kit. That gives you a special connection to your instrument. It’s wonderful that you’re finally able to realize your dream.
I know what you mean about playing instruments with a limited range. Of the instruments I’ve played, ocarina was the worst that way. A harp’s range is freeing after that. No more having to fold melodies to fit.
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Thank you for your kind words 🙂 The online shop I bought my harp from called it a kit, but the body was actually already put together and only required a bit of sanding and polishing. Still, an instrument you work on does feel special, and as I had to set up the strings, I’ve got some practice for the day I need to replace one! 😊
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Which did you get? I got myself a Fireside in February and had great fun painting it (just a colour, nothing fancy)! I was very impatient with the sanding and glueing though 😀
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Mine is from Early Music Shop, over in the UK – I’m from Belgium, so that was the closest I could find a rather cheap harp to get started on!
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I have a green Fireside harp. My harp was also a kit that was put together for me. They put it all together and shipped it to me. I work as a nurse and go to veterinary school so I don’t have much energy to tackle a project my own. Love the sound of the strings.
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1. What made you decide to start playing the harp?
It actually started when I was a teen when I saw someone playing a harp at one of my cousin’s weddings, but I quickly dismissed ever getting into the harp myself because of how expensive the instrument was. But a few years ago my best friend got a lever harp, which she gave to me this past year because she is unable to play it anymore.
2. What is your favorite style or genre of harp music?
I love Celtic music the most, but I’ve found I really like anything played on the harp from finding pop song covers and video game covers on YouTube. I even like some of the classical pieces for harp.
3. What are your harp-related goals for 2021?
I’m starting out small! I want to be able to at least play Greensleeves by Christmas. So, I suppose from a technique standpoint being able to play with both hands and do the cross over/cross under with ease.
4. What do you enjoy most about playing the harp?
Playing the harp brings a lot of joy. Granted, when I first started playing I was pretty frustrated with how slow I seemed to be learning, but I actually noticed a couple weeks ago I’ve made some real progress from when I first started practicing. It’s a really good feeling!5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve been meaning to post here since the site went up! I’m happy to be here and hopefully I can share some of my harp progress with you all. 🙂-
@cathryn.parker I’m so glad you posted 😀. You say you’re starting out small, but crossing over and under “with ease” is a big goal. You also mentioned Celtic music. I’d love to be able to play a smooth 1-5-8-9-10 pattern in the left hand for Celtic tunes. It’s going to take some time for me to get that cross-under as automatic as simple 1-3-5 triads. Have you already made some videos of your playing? This is a very supportive group, and we would enjoy watching your progress.
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I haven’t made any videos yet, I’m still struggling a bit with just playing with two hands. I probably will make videos in the future, though!
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@cathryn.parker Have you seen Christy-Lyn’s video on how to play hands together? It really explains the process well. It was a game changer for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vuRjnI4ZtU
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I did a few days ago! I tried it out and I feel like I’m finally starting to get it. 🙂
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