Stuck At Home Playlist!

Our favorite quarantunes to download now.

It is an odd time that we are all living in right now, as harpists around the world have had performances canceled for weeks at a time and are stuck at home. Some of my friends have said they feel cooped up in their houses with little motivation to practice. If this sounds like you, keep reading. I’ve created a list of upbeat, fun pieces, as well as a few healing pieces to help get you out of your quarantine funk!

Wibbly Waltz, by Amanda Whiting

This upbeat, jazzy waltz is easy to get lost in and you will definitely find yourself swaying along. Playing it really resets your mood and will put a smile on your face.

Tango of the Roses, by Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni

Spice up your life in quarantine with a fun tango! There’s something about a tango that instantly puts you in a good mood. You’ll enjoy learning this original piece with its classic tango rhythm and downward rolled chords – there’s lots of drama in this one!

Romance, by Fabio Rizza

This original piece is quite rosy and charming. I’m looking forward to adding it to my gig book. It makes me think of a rainy day in Europe when a rainbow is just about to appear. I think you’ll find it healing to learn while stuck at home. This book also comes with another bright piece that bases its melody off of the Big Ben clock tower.

The Entertainer, by Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher

This was one of the first piano solos that I learned growing up and I’m so excited to see that it is now available for harp. The Entertainer is a timeless, classic rag written by Scott Joplin filled with upbeat, infectious melodic lines and syncopated rhythms. Plus, if you’re stuck at home with another harpist, this book includes a duet version!

While you’re stuck at home, why not add some Bach to your repertoire? Here are two super short pieces you can definitely accomplish over the coming weeks in quarantine:

Arioso, by J. S. Bach

This popular Bach melody is a great addition to any gig book. I recommend this to anyone stuck at home that needs a break from reading the news. It is a calming, reflective piece to help put your mind at ease. Best of all there are versions for every level by Floraleda Sacchi (advanced); Angela Klohn (intermediate); Bette Vidrine (advanced beginner).

Badinerie, by J. S. Bach

Ekaterina Afanasieva has an arrangement of this popular melody from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor. You may not recognize the name at first, but you will definitely recognize this melody! It is very peppy for a piece in a minor key, which I find to be delightful.

Deborah Henson-Conant

New Blues

$9.50

New Blues, by Deborah Henson-Conant

This piece is so much fun to both practice and perform! It really lifts your spirits every time you play it. Bluesy riffs and bebop rhythms keep you and the listener engaged start to finish as each section of the piece has its own unique feel. One of my favorites to perform!

River Right Rhumba, by Laura Zaerr

I’m so glad I stumbled upon this piece. To me, it has a spirited, child-like feel to it with lots of interesting rhythms. Zaeer says “The three repeating rhythmic patterns come directly from a West African drumming pattern from Guinea, the African Rhumba.” It is very joyful, making it a great piece to work on while stuck at home.

Lever Mania, by Park Stickney

This one is for all of you daredevil lever harpists out there! Chromatic scales, lever slides, and an abundance of lever changes are included in this fun, uptempo piece that Stickney calls “non-stop chromatic mayhem.” I’ll be honest, I did not play through this one, but if you’re looking for a fun challenge while you’re stuck at home, this is a great fit.

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