Blossoms & Briars, Songs of Love and Other Mischief ~
featuring Nancy Davis on Celtic Harp and Voice
You will certainly enjoy this lovely new CD. Nancy's voice sounds sweet and clear, as she tells the story of each tune.
Her selections are unique, some familiar to me, some new. Nancy's harp accompaniments are very creative (I love them all!), and fit each story beautifully. You will find some ideas for your own solo and voice/harp arrangements here as well!
Some selections include: The Wind the Shakes the Barley, The Fields of Athenry and The Fisherman's Song. You contact Nancy and find out more about her at http://www.harpscapes.com/. Tell her I sent you!!! :-)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Happy Holidays from Harp Matters!
We played in McCutchenville, Ohio, a place called "Plank Road Tavern".
The people were delightful and the food, excellent!
McCutchenville is about half way between Findlay, Ohio and Tiffin, Ohio.
If you are ever in the area, it's well worth stopping for a bite!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Holiday Harps
Holiday Harps, Harp Ornaments for Joyous Times, photographs and text compilation by Diana Stork, Tasha Waters and Ethan Snyderman. Published by Diana Stork, 2010, 46 pages, $ 15.00.
Available from: www.harpdancer.com.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
"That's the way it was...."
Welcome to our new feature "That's the way it was..."
You will enjoy reading about things from the past.
In this issue, we are taking some things from the Fall, 1951 issue of Harp News.
Harp News was a predessor to the American Harp Journal.
This cute little ad appeared on page 15.
I have removed the name and address of the business where you were to send your $ 3.25, as it does not exist anymore.
Does anyone have one of these?
The second item for your enjoyment from this issue of Harp News is a little "News Notes" item. It read as follows:
" Harpo Marx takes his harp and bag of tricks to Chicago October 11th to 21st to play and cavort at the Stockyards Amphitheatre during the annual Show and Rodeo. "
You will enjoy reading about things from the past.
In this issue, we are taking some things from the Fall, 1951 issue of Harp News.
Harp News was a predessor to the American Harp Journal.
This cute little ad appeared on page 15.
I have removed the name and address of the business where you were to send your $ 3.25, as it does not exist anymore.
Does anyone have one of these?
The second item for your enjoyment from this issue of Harp News is a little "News Notes" item. It read as follows:
" Harpo Marx takes his harp and bag of tricks to Chicago October 11th to 21st to play and cavort at the Stockyards Amphitheatre during the annual Show and Rodeo. "
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Harp Mouse Adventures-Book II
Harp Mouse Adventures-Book II, by Diane E Dunn. Illustrated by Donna Pellegata. Published by Heart & Harp, LLC, 2010. 24 pages. $ 6.95. Available from: http://www.heartandharp.net/.
Do you remember Diane’s first ‘harp mouse’ book, The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home- The Adventure Begins? Well, in Book II the adventures continue! Follow the ‘harp mouse’, in the place where the harp lives and as she travels with her beloved harp and harpist to a school program and a beautiful wedding reception (where she visits with all the other mice from various walks of life).
This brilliantly illustrated book is an ideal gift for yourself, a harpist friend or a child in your life. I used a pair of the 'harp mouse' books along with a little mouse finger puppet as a gift for a new baby. If you ask, I'll bet Diane will sign your book for you!
Christmas Joy, Festive Christmas Music
Christmas Joy, Festive Christmas Music, arranged by Joanna Mell. Published by Joanna Mell, 2010. 51 pages. $ 15.00. Available from: www.joannamell.com.
This new Christmas music collection includes 11 holiday favorites. Carol of the Bells, normally challenging because of the melodic minor, is arranged so there are no lever changes during the piece, it features harmonics and is very ‘play-able’. Ding, Don, Merrily on High has glisses and fun backwards rolled chords!
Keys include A minor, G major, E minor, C major, F major, and one is in the A dorian mode.
Features include harmonics, triplets, sixteenth notes, and syncopated rhythms.
This book will be a nice addition to your performance and background repertoire and is appropriate for intermediate and even some late beginner players.
You will have to spend a bit of time organizing and marking the lever changes, particularly in Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. There are no chord symbols or suggested fingerings included.
Carols from Around the World
Carols from Around the World, Volume I, for lever and pedal harp without exception, arranged by Ray Pool. Published by Ray Pool, 2010, 25 pages. $ 20.00.
Available from: http://www.raypool.com/.
Available from: http://www.raypool.com/.
Fun with Music Theory
I discovered this fun Music Theory reference in my adventures as a book and music reviewer. It would mke a great favor or gift, plus it is a good place to go for information!
Notecracker Music Theory, by Peter Lind, Published by Wise Publications, 2007.
$ 3.95. Available from: www.halleonard.com.
$ 3.95. Available from: www.halleonard.com.
This cute little reference piece is about 3 ¼ inches long, 1 ¼ inches wide and almost 1 inch thick. It is riveted together at one end. This little pack is a great reference, including everything from reading bass and treble clefs, to rhythmic values, to scales, intervals, chords (including chord symbols), musical terms and modes. This pack could fit anywhere, gig bag or instrument case and is a great reference tool. It’s reasonable price makes it ideal as a student gift as well! The little card pages have information on each side!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
New Harp Music in Print, 11/5/10
White Christmas, by Irving Berlin, arranged for harp by RoJean Loucks. Published by RoJean Loucks, 2010, 4 ½ pages. $ 4.95. Available from www.roharps.com.
I have enjoyed RoJean’s various books of arrangements and original tunes, including “Reflections” and “Soul Dance”, among others. We have awaited a harp arrangement of “White Christmas” for a long time and here it is! RoJean is a creative arranger and uses beautiful chords through out. This early intermediate arrangement features rolled chords, quarter note triplets a few syncopated rhythms and some scattered 16th notes. It can be played on a harp tuned in Eb, C or F with no problem at all. There are a few lever changes, all marked and reasonable to accomplish (suggestions are made in case you do not want to play with any lever changes at all). There are no fingerings or chord symbols provided. You will not want to pass up the opportunity to add this to your holiday repertoire!!!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Welcome to Harp Matters!
10/10/10
Good Afternoon!
Welcome to Harp Matters!
Stay tuned for fun news, special product and music reviews, stories and "Harp Matters!"
Good Afternoon!
Welcome to Harp Matters!
Stay tuned for fun news, special product and music reviews, stories and "Harp Matters!"
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