Thoughts for a Thursday...

        Technology has made it available for composers and arrangers (including myself) to publish their own music compositions and arrangements.

         I see a lot of music because I write for this blog as well as for two, quarterly publications. Based on my experiences, I would like to offer a few 'tips' . . .

* Be sure to consider page turns when setting up your lay-out. If you have to move a measure or two over to the next page, or vice-versa, it is well worth it to those playing your music. 
* When you choose the paper to print on, be sure it is heavy enough so that the music does not show through to the other side. 
* Find someone to look at  your creation and give you feed-back. It could be another harpist, or even another professional musician. (plus it is great to get that encouragement as you go along!)
* If you are un-sure how to properly notate all or part of your creation, seek help from someone. Again, it might not even be a harpist, just someone who is knowledgeable about how to notate music properly.
* When you publish your wonderful creation, be sure to include your copyright information, as well as contact info so people can find you. Someone may need more copies, or maybe they want to ask you any variety of questions!

Perhaps you have other challenges as an arranger/composer. Please drop me a note and we can chat and share more ideas!

A Walk in the Woods

Greetings from snowy Northwest Ohio. I am writing today to tell you about an exceptional book of compositions which I recently discovered.

A Walk in the Woods is a collection of 'colorful solos' by Kathryn Cater. I purchased this book from Eve Stone of Stoney End Harps as I was looking through her music bins at an event. What a marvelous publication! (Thanks, Eve!)

The 9 selections are all descriptive in nature with titles like Barefoot Wanderer, Tango of the Owls and Secret Agent Super Bunny.  The selections in this collection are ideal for a program or recital, I like this idea of "Program Music".

Features in this unique, early intermediate to intermediate collection include: syncopation (love, love love!), crossing hands, tapping on the sounding board, glisses, harmonics, rolled chords and pres de la table (PDLT).

Cater includes a few thoughts about each of her creations, which is a nice personal touch when giving a recital or program. This collection will go into my gig bag and never come out!

I hesitate to tell you about this book...I would like to keep it just for myself!!! :-)

Enjoy...and Kathryn...keep up the good work! (I also keep her book called Adagios nearby as well!)

A Walk in the Woods is published by Afghan Press, 2013.

An envelope arrived recently from Mel Bay Publications. This fantastic book, 300 Gems of Irish Music for All Instruments by Grey Larsen was inside!

300 Gems was published in 2013 and is a joining of two previous publications, 150 Gems of Irish Music for Flute and 150 Gems of Irish Music for Tin Whistle.

This collection features nearly 100 pages of melodies, all written in the treble clef. 




The Table of Contents lists the tunes by 'type'.   
* Jigs
* Reels
* Hornpipes
* Slip Jigs
* Hop Jigs
* Polkas
* Slides
* Set Dances
* Marches
* Harp Pieces, and, of course...
* Other 

The index lists the tunes alphabetically by title.

What a great collection!  Larsen includes 13 pages of instructions and tips on how to play the selections, including information on rhythms, Modes, musical terms, etc.  He also often tells the source of the melodies, such as "based on the 1935 recording" or perhaps the name of the person he learned the tune from.

The tunes do not include chord symbols, giving you the option of choosing your own harmonies.

300 Gems sells for only $ 29.95 and is available from: www.greylarsen.com.com (and probably from your favorite sheet music store, too). You can buy it as an e-book or purchase the physical book if you prefer! You can also buy the MP3 download ($14.99) of all the tunes or order the 4 CD set ($19.99).

If you like to have Irish melodies at your fingertips, and enjoy learning new ones, 300 Gems is an ideal resource and addition to your music library.

Holiday Ensemble Music!

     You may be thinking about some Christmas Ensemble Music. There is still time to add to your holiday repertoire! Cindy Horstman recently sent me these titles for consideration from the great state of Texas.

      I Wonder as I Wander is arranged for 3 harps. This snappy arrangement features a fun, syncopated accompaniment to the traditional melody. It has no lever or pedal changes once you get started and is ideal for late beginner to early intermediate players.

     If you bring a few bass clef notes up an octave in Harp 3, this arrangement can easily be played on 3 lever harps. The melody is played by Harp 1, the great syncopated accompaniment is played by Harp 2, and a dotted quarter, 8th note bass line is played by Harp 3. This tune could also be played with Harp 1 and Harp 2 only, if by chance you do not have 3 players available!

      There are two F#s needed in Harp 2, which can be set up before starting the piece and you never have to worry about a lever change after that! Cindy has also included some helpful fingerings and placing markings for your convenience. 

      Included are the score and 3 separate parts. Recommended. $ 25.00. Cindy also offers the option of a free MP3 download!  www.cindyhorstman.com

     What Child Is This? is arranged for two harps. Harp 1 can be played on lever harp and Harp 2 requires a pedal harp. This arrangement is suitable for early intermediate players. Cindy uses fantastic, lush harmonies

     Harp 1 features the melody and opens with glisses and also has rolled chords and triplets (not difficult). The only necessary levers are a couple of F#s, which can be set before the piece begins.

     Harp 2 uses great 7th chords in inversions, a left hand repeated note (pedal tone) for several measures at the beginning and at the end, a few well placed muffles, and rolled chords. There are quite a few pedal changes, but they are very clearly marked.

     I like this arrangement so much, I will probably use a pedal harp for my annual recital this Fall - and I don't move a pedal harp anymore if I don't have to!

     Included are the score and 2 separate parts. Highly recommended! $ 25.00. Cindy also offers the option of a free MP3 download!  www.cindyhorstman.com

We Three Kings: new from Frank Voltz

     As we continue to prepare for those holiday performances, gigs and church appearances, it surely is nice to know about new holiday music...especially if it comes from Frank Voltz. 

   I have written about Frank's compositions and arrangements many times over the years. I think this may be my most favorite one of all! Let me share with you some details about it.

   
    Consisting of 6 pages, this intermediate arrangement can be played on lever or pedal harp; there are only a few lever/pedal changes which are clearly marked.

 

    One especially unique thing about this selection is.... well... you expect We Three Kings to be in 6/8 time, right? Frank's version is in 4/4!  Ah, now I have you interested! This leads to delightful syncopated rhythms throughout. Your listeners will turn their heads, thinking, "Wait, what was that?"

    Included are a few rolled chords, some short arpeggios, some pres de la table ("PDLT"), a few glissandos and some chords marked touch damp, creating a staccato sound. A few helpful fingerings are included as well.

    The page turns are quite convenient and you will be pleased that the Frank Voltz, signature, lush, extended chords are plentiful!

    Run, do not walk to purchase your copy. There are also 3 more new Frank publications: What Child is This for pedal harp, and two more brand new original compositions: Forest Green (a fine tribute to harp builder, the late Steve Green) and Romance Remembered. 

     All 4 of these new publications are just $5.00 each.

  
     Just go to www.frankvoltz.com...and tell him I sent you!

MARCH from The Nutcracker

Are you starting to think about music for Christmas/Holiday time? Patricia Jaeger has published an arrangement of March from The Nutcracker Suite.
This two page arrangement is in the key of G and has just a couple of easy lever changes. Jaeger even includes several fun grace notes, which makes it sound even more like the orchestral version! Some helpful fingerings and placings are included as well as suggested dynamics.  It is perfect for early intermediate players and would be great fun for a program, recital or as background music at one (or more!) of those holiday gigs!
The music sells for $ 4.00, plus postage, and you can order your own copy and get more information about Patricia's other publications by sending her an e mail at: pjaeger99@hotmail.com.

Green Pastures by Susie Kunkle

Let me tell you a little about
Green Pastures
original music for the harp by Susie Kunkle

Susie Kunkle is a fine musician and has created a delightful, first time publication of 10, descriptive, original compositions.

You will find them to be of late beginner to early intermediate difficulty. They fun to play, easy to read, and chord symbols are included. You will find some rolled chords and also some very creative, syncopated rhythms as well.

The tunes are 1 - 3 pages with well planned page turns when needed.

Perfect for background music, therapy or even a program!
She has named some of them after her grandchildren!

To order your copy (only $ 12.00 plus shipping), send an e mail to Susie at: susiekunkle@gmail.com

Here are the titles:

Adeline Norah
Eden's Dance
Lament
Contemplation
Far Away
Evensong
Micah's Ride
Evangeline
Declan's Prayer
Wisdom's Call