Previously published exclusively in Italian, the Grossi Method for Harp is now available in English, providing “a thorough and outstanding resource for learning to play the harp.” Adventures for Lever Harp Book 1 includes “entertaining and innovative pieces” for those who play or teach lever harp.

After more than 70 years of publication in Italian, the Grossi Method for Harp is now available in English. Mentioned in the music review in the March/April 2016 issue of Harp Column, this is still one of the finest books available for developing technique. There are excellent photographs of hand positions. The text explains the execution of such things as harmonics, slides and glissandi, dampening, pedaling, and much more. There is a little history of the harp, instructions for installing strings and tuning, as well as an appendix with explanations of signs and abbreviations.

However, most teachers probably never used the descriptions unless they understood the Italian text. While it is a bonus to be able to read them now in English, the greatest benefit to this tome are the exercises presented in a progressive fashion and the excellent etudes by Ettore Pozzoli at the back of the book. There are 20 grade I etudes and 45 grade II etudes, and all but the last five are completely diatonic, which makes the book suitable for pedal or lever harp. As a student progresses through the exercises, there are footnotes directing you to the appropriate etude(s). When a student completes this book, they should have a solid foundation in technique and fingering and should be prepared to tackle what they will encounter in most harp repertoire.

It is worth noting that the explanation of tuning is outdated. It assumes using a tuning fork and tuning in the key of C when playing with other instruments. And not everyone will want to follow the advice for dealing with blisters. These archaic references aside, it is a thorough and outstanding resource for learning to play the harp.

This next book is one to put on your wish list for Santa. Adventures for Lever Harp Book 1  is a delightful new book of original solos for lever harp by Lauren Scott. Published by Astute Music Ltd. (www.astute-music.com), it is available as a book or PDF download. Although composed for a 34-string lever harp, most selections are playable on pedal harp with some minor adaptations and pedal changes. They are intended for intermediate to advanced players, and each piece focuses on one or two techniques.

“Gecko Dance” is a lively, jazzy tune with syncopated (clave) rhythm and some percussive taps on the harp. Soundboard taps are indicated by cross-head notes and taps on the body of the harp are indicated by triangle-head notes. As with all the pieces in the book, levers are pre-set and no changes are required during a piece. This is just two pages in length and, with repeats, is only about a minute and a half long.

“Habanera Caprichosa” is dramatic and almost twice as long. It also includes percussive sounds as well as a short cadenza, glisses, and some dampening techniques. Ms. Scott encourages improvisation by suggesting substituting a scale pattern for the arpeggio pattern in certain measures.

“Caribbean Daydreams” is a happy, feel-good melody meant to capture the quality of steel drums. Mission accomplished. Written in A major, it can still be played on a lever harp tuned to E-flat. There is one page turn that is easy to manage.

Light and airy describes “The First Flight of Spring,” written in an unusual 10/8 time signature. It is played mostly in the upper registers of the harp with the right hand repeating an arpeggio pattern while accenting the thumb. The theme appears at the end in harmonics. It moves quickly and gracefully with a carefree expression.

The final piece is “Lapkon’s Spinning Wheel,” and this one would be difficult on pedal harp. Don’t let the A-flat key signature confuse you. This still works on a lever harp tuned to E-flat, as you don’t actually need any D-flats.  In fact, you need some D-sharps, so don’t retune. There are 34 pre-set levers. The composer instructs you to attach paper clips and a plastic coil around some fifth octave strings to create buzzing brays.

The right hand plays primarily triplets with the thumb accented. At one point you create xylophonic sounds by pressing on three strings near the eyelets with the left hand. There are some rhythmic, downward nail glisses, and you get to choose where you want to play them on the harp. There are some scale glisses and one last, dramatic downward gliss followed by a slap to the soundboard at the end.

There is also a second volume which, according to Scott’s website, “explores the extended harmonic possibilities unique to the lever harp through accessible and enjoyable music for the listener and player.”

All of the pieces in the book are rhythmic and fun to play. If you’re curious to hear them before purchasing the book, there are videos and Soundcloud clips of Ms. Scott playing all these compositions on her website at www.lauren-scott-harp.co.uk.

For those who play or teach lever harp, these entertaining and innovative pieces are a welcome addition to the repertoire, and audiences should find these tunes interesting and engaging. Listen to the tunes on her website and see if you don’t agree.