Forest of Harps Book 1

Contents

Aura Lee
Bella Ciao
Black is the Colour
Danny Boy
Soon May the Wellerman Come

Note from the arranger

Harp 1 fits onto a fully levered 26 string harp (lowest string is C below middle C) and Harps 2 and 3 fit onto 34 string harps.

The first solo is always just a clear tune and single-note accompaniment arrangement, so by the time the student has successfully learnt this, and probably played it in the group, they know the structure of the arrangement and exactly how the piece sounds.

As they improve they can play a more challenging version, and/or stick to the easier part if playing in a group feels trickier. It’s all about having the confidence to take the next step up!

The best thing about layered arrangements is that there is a good chunk of each version that can be used as a solo so you are practicing something that you can play without needing other harps to fill out the parts, but when you bring it all together you are still practicing very important ensemble skills – listening to others, staying in time, being in tune, and being adaptive as a musician in a group.