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There are or were recordings of Theodore Bikel and Yul Brynner doing Russian Gypsy music, and I’ve heard of a whole tribe of Gypsies that specializes in the harp. Just how authentic do you think these people are asking for?
27 HARPS AND A CELLO Went to a Christmas concert today. Put on by local branch of AHS. 27 harps of all sizes played by 27 harpists of all ages (and a cello). Traditional carols, including some that are not so well known. Not a single “Frosty the Snowman” or “Jingle Bells.”
Cedar is thought to mature more quickly and spruce more slowly, but I have no idea what effect that would have on a half n’ half soundboard.
I’ve been conscripted into teaching a young child about baking for the occasion, so instead of making something more traditional, I’m making dump cake. For those who don’t know it, you dump a can of pineapple, a can of cherry pie filling,….I’m not usually one to cook out of cans.
I like Mediaeval carols and not so well-known ones–old German carols–advent carols–anything but “Jingle Bells” and other done-to-death modern secular carols. Here are three you don’t hear that often:
The Boar’s Head Carol
Maria durch ein Dornwald Ging
Leise Rieselt der Schnee
The first is gay, the second is somber, and the third is poetic.
Not Pledge. There’s a special harp polish put out by [Lyon & Healy?] that’s supposed to be good. In a pinch, a guitar polish will do as well. You’re not supposed to use polish too often–that’s to avoid buildup.
Why limit it to piano, though? I’ll borrow from any source as long as they have the melody and chord symbols for guitar. Still, I like Saul’s suggestions and want to have a look at the Salzedo/Lawrence book too.
Not a favorite Christmas harp CD, but my Christmas/Advent/Liturgical playlist on YouTube. I searched YouTube for my favorite carols and selected my favorite version or versions, several of them with harp accompaniment:
Es Ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen
Maria Duch ein Dornwald Ging
Minuit, Chretiens (O Holy Night)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Once in Royal David’s City
The Boar’s Head Carol
Leise Rieselt der Schnee
Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
I have also played or attempted to play all of these myself
I started playing guitar in the early ’60s, harp in the late ’70s, and banjo in the mid-’90s. I’m largely self-taught on folk guitar and banjo, but I took lessons on classical guitar and harp. I’ve had long hiatuses of not playing, but always came back to it. I love plucked string instruments above all others (well, duh!) but enjoy the differences between the three. (The banjo, for example, is an inherently cheeky, sassy, in-your-face sort of instrument, and the technique for what’s called clawhammer is as counterintuitive as you can get.)
In a desert-island sort of scenario, I’d pick the harp.
