How to read harp music notations.

[william-p-mac-aindriu]

Hi,
I’m a newbie I’ve only been playing the lever harp for five months; I previously played the bagpipes so I can read the treble clef but some of the notations are confusing. I was wondering if there is a book about harp notations.

[patricia-jaeger]

A few ideas, to look into before buying, are below; however the best move is having some lessons from a qualified harp teacher.
Beginner’s Harp Book, Book 1, by Phyllis Schlomovitz(includes DVD). Pub:Salvi Harps.
Writing for the Pedal Harp by Inglefield and Neill (includes video) Pub.U. of California
Press. 1985. Many diagrams of notations, not all limited to harp with pedals.
Harp Scoring by Stanley Chaloupka, 1979. Now on sale at Sylvia Woods Harp Center.
Harpspectrum.org: A non-profit site with many expert contributors to educate anyone about harps of all kinds, past and present. At the home page, look down the list of offerings on the left, and choose Glossary. No diagrams, just definitions of harp terms.

There is often a glossary with illustrations, in other publications than those above, such as those by harpist Faith Carman. Also look at a beginning harp book by Suzanne Balderston, published by Salvi Publications. Additionally, her “On Teaching the Harp” book, Chapter 12 to the end has valuable tips for a beginning harp player of any age. Also published by Salvi, 1980.

[susan-rutherford]

Hello, William – I’ve been playing just a few years, but am playing music that has notation for harp effects, such as PDLT, muffles, glisses, slides, etc. I’ve found Yolanda Kondoassis’ book “On Playing the Harp” very useful as a reference for notation and special effects. The book also covers everything about playing, with many exercises for strengthening and conditioning. But I would enthusiastically second Patricia’s encouragement to work with a teacher. I tried to teach myself for about a year, and realized it would be so easy to develop very bad habits. I came across Susan Zevenbergen’s website (www.myharpsdelight.com) one cold, dark night and discovered she offered lessons via Skype – a miracle, since I was living in Alaska at the time! In my 55+ years, I’ve never encountered as gifted a teacher as Susan – she always seems to have the tool or technique I need at any given time to progress! So if you can, find a teacher locally that is experienced in teaching adults. And if you can’t find anyone, there are quite a few teachers besides Susan that offer lessons via skype. And most of all, enjoy playing!

[william-p-mac-aindriu]

Thank you Patricia and Susan, I do have a teacher and take weekly lessons from her but when I’m reading a music book I do come across some strange looking symbols. I have a book on music theory that’s pretty good, once again thanks for the help.

[Jerusha Amado]

Is there one book in publication that has all of the harp notations that exist?

[tony-morosco]

For the basics of reading harp music pretty much any book on the subject will do. 90% of what you see in harp music is nothing you won’t see in piano music.

The Kondonasis book already mentioned has a great glossary of harp specific notations and Salzedo effects.

Since you are a relative beginner you don’t need to focus on anything other than basic notation and perhaps pedal or lever notations. If you are learning on a lever harp then I recommend Sylvia Woods’ Teach Yourself To Play The Folk Harp. Even if you have a teacher it is a good book to have, and it teaches the basics of music reading along with teaching how to play. I was given a free copy when I bought a harp once and my teacher liked the exercises in the book and had me use some of them.

Also Woods’ book Music Theory and Arranging Techniques for Folk Harps is good once you have the basics down because it will teach you not just how to read, but interpret and make use of chord symbols and lead sheets.

From there you can worry about the more advanced notations that don’t often pop up in beginning and early intermediate arrangements for harp.

[william-p-mac-aindriu]

Thank you Tony!!!

[william-p-mac-aindriu]

I just completed my first year on the lever harp with instructions and lessons from my teacher and I love it. I have one tune down, Down By The Sally Gardens and I almost have Carrickfergus and the Minstrel Boy. Tara’s Theme is kind of hard but I will get it eventually, I love the challenge you have to think of what is coming up next.

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