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Thanks, Barbara, this is helpful. I am not at the point where I am actually looking at specific models, just dreaming and wondering what makes the most sense should I decide to proceed with this. I get the impression you are happy with your ipad? I really question how much I would use a tablet, ipad or android for web browsing. I have a smart phone and don’t web browse that much with it, but I suppose you don’t know until you get one and see how it goes. I just love the idea of organizing my music this way. thanks for thoughts.
Great ideas, Natalie, thanks! I enjoyed both of these youtubes, especially the Twilight Princess one. I could see that blending in beautifully with something else… perhaps what you did. I just came across a website I am going to explore, gamethemesongs.com.
Thanks for these Deb! I still play my Celtic Harp… quite a bit actually, so these are great too. I have a few of the arrangements, just haven’t dived in yet. Kathryn I have that arrangement by Paul Baker, just love it. Now I’ve got to learn it. I am working on an arrangement of Since You’ve Asked by Judy Collins. We’ll see where I go with it. Such a beautiful song.
Thanks Sylvia! I love Lara’s Theme, and had completely forgotten about it. I keep hearing about songs from video games too… been thinking about exploring that as well.
Sylvia Wood’s Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp is a really good beginning place. Also a flute player, I found this book to be really useful and gave step by step exercises to go with the songs. A teacher is invaluable though. I was self-taught for a year, and then had to begin again with a teacher because I had so many bad habits. Congratulations on your new harp journey! Have a blast!
Emma that is so helpful. I’ve been on a higher stool than I normally sit on as I had hip replacement surgery in the fall. I will try a lower chair. Maybe that is all it takes. Wouldn’t that be great?? I am unfamiliar with the Alexander technique, but will look it up.
Thank you for this posting, David. It gives me goose bumps, and makes me teary-too. It is an honor, isn’t it, when our music reaches out and touches others so deeply. I just love the harp.
Hi Louie, I am in the process of this transition right now, after over 20 years of playing lever/celtic harp. I whole-heartedly agree with what Lynn says. The biggest challenge for me has been technically. The pedals aren’t that hard. They are awkward at first, but with a little practice and drill, they are easier (I think) than flipping levers. What I’ve had to focus on is really refining my technique so I get the best possible sound out of the harp. I realized that with a nylon strung Celtic harp, it was easy to get a gorgeous sound with less than perfect technique, but not so with the pedal harp. However, all the work I am doing technically is only improving my Celtic harp playing. Hope this helps. At the very least, take a few lessons to have your technique checked out, and then really focus on it, and get some help regarding pedal drills. It’s not that difficult, and extremely rewarding. Good luck.
Somewhere along the way I read about dying strings, using a permanent dye that you might use on clothes. Has anyone else heard of this? That way you could work with the white strings, and then color code as you wished. Might be worth an experiment on one string and see how it went.
And we all run into challenges as we age! I just had hip replacement surgery, and am re-negotiating how to sit with the harp, how to access the pedals on the affected side… So how do we adapt and continue to make the music we love… seems like a metaphor for life to me. I have a friend whom I sometimes collaborate with, a guitarist, who has had a stroke. We have talked at length about how her recovery and return to her music has changed her music, and while somethings have been lost, others have opened up… Anyway, I guess I’m getting off topic here, but I think it’s all about starting wherever we are, whenever we are, and figuring out the best path for each individual. :o)
Hi there,
I think this is a great question. I have several older students, and I think the technique issue is a balancing act. They have to learn enough technique to be able to play with fluidity and satisfaction, without over doing it. And I agree with what the others have said. I try to be clear about their learning goals and objectives, and to take into account any physical limitations they might have. I actually find the creativity of this process to be fun, and have been surprised by how well people can do with a little guidance and practice. Can’t close a finger to the palm? Then explore how to get the best tone quality with what you can do, and as well as looking at how to work with less flexible fingers in faster passages. Sometimes it is technique, sometimes changing fingering, whatever works. I find I just have to find new ways that fit that student, so they can make the music they want to make. I am not classically trained, so this may influence my perspective as well!Hi Gretchen, thank you for that clarification! I had absolutely no idea. I think I come from a background where the word “advent” is used much more loosely. Good to know!
Are you familiar with “Christmas Lullaby” by Kim Robertson? there are 15 or so beautiful and unique arrangements. I am working on a number of the pieces right now, and really enjoying them. Her Silent Night is breathtaking.
