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Thistledown

$1.50 – $10.95

Stephen Dunstone’s original composition “Thistledown” is for three lever or pedal harps. Gentle and flowing, the descending scale motif is easy to learn and will have audiences mesmerized. Scroll down for additional notes from the composer.

This piece is available as a PDF download in the following combinations:

  • Complete Set: $10.95
    (Includes score and all parts.)
  • Score only: $7.00
  • Harp 1 (Motif) only: $1.50
  • Harp 2 (Harmony 1) only: $1.50
  • Harp 3 (Harmony 2) only: $2.50

Length: score is 8 pgs.; parts are 1-2 pgs.

Duration: 2:05

Note: This piece is formatted for 8.28 x 10.99 paper size; use the settings in your printer dialog box to get the best fit for your paper size.

Description

Note from the composer

“Thistledown” is based on a simple but beguiling chord sequence that I was familiar with even when I was a schoolboy: pupils who didn’t want to do their ‘official’ practice would happily bang it out on the piano, in all kinds of different rhythmic manifestations, sometimes as a duet which non-pianists could join in with using just the index finger of each hand to play a descending scale sequence that suited the harmony.

I’ve used the harmonic pattern in a gentle combination with my version of the descending scales motif which means it’s easily manageable for inexperienced harpists, and easily memorable. What gives the piece its extra magical quality, though, is the melody that I introduce in bar 15. This soars above the other parts, developing and changing in every ‘verse’, like a story carried on the gentle breeze, drifting with the thistledown across the landscape.

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Reviews (1)

1 review for Thistledown

  1. Sarah Goss (verified owner) –

    I absolutely LOVE this for beginners – it’s often among the first pieces I teach and I’m so glad to find it here on HCM. The motif uses mostly 2 alone (introduces 1 in penultimate bar), the harmony part uses 2 and thumb (RH only) in a pattern of root position triad shapes (so useful to learn!), the melodic line can be done on any treble instrument so super doable with whatever instrumental combo you have to hand. It’s super satisfying to play and doesn’t sound like a beginner piece at all!

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