admin – Harp Tuesday

Ep. 287 – Ceremony of Carols – figuring out better options!

I revisit Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols (my first ever Harp Tuesday episode) to share a few spots that I’ve updated over the years, finding better fingerings or other options.

As a bonus, I actually discover another change I want to make on camera – demonstrating the idea that it’s always worth looking for new solutions even in pieces you have played for decades!

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Ep. 286 – How I protect my thumb when playing the harp

Here’s a look at how I protect the skin under my thumbnail using climbing tape.

For me, my right thumb can easily develop a blister when the nail is short – as I play the skin gets pushed against the nail and when it has been recently cut the skin can be quite soft and easy to blister. Using something such as climbing (or athletic) tape to provide a “second skin” makes it possible to continue to practice without getting a blister! In case you have a similar issue I thought I’d share the process I do.

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Ep. 285 – Planning my European concert program

Here’s a look at what I’m performing this fall in Europe and why I choose the pieces I did, as well as some thoughts on how I want to play music I am passionate about and draw the audience in for a shared experience of music that I love, rather than thinking about trying to please an audience whose tastes I can only guess at and never know.

This episode is the third of a trilogy of episode I’ve filmed this year around the topic of concert programs. Check this video about how I practice and prepare for a concert and this one on the typical structure/framework that I’m looking for in a concert program.

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Ep. 284 – How to play left hand harmonics on the harp

Here’s a look at how to play left-handed harmonics on the harp, including some slow motion footage. I’ve done a bunch of other episodes about harmonics, check them out at https://www.harptuesday.com/category/harmonics/

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Ep. 283 – How to play two handed trills on the harp

Here’s a look at how to play two handed trills on the harp, including some slow motion footage. If you want to work on trills you might also check out these other Harp Tuesday and Slow Motion Monday videos.

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Ep. 282 – How to play “Le Roi a Fait Battre Tambour”

In this episode I take a look at an old popular French song called Le Roi a Fait Battre Tambour. Louise Charpentier did an arrangement of it and Henriette Renie includes a version of that arrangement in her Method for Harp (this is the version I’m using).

You can find Charpentier’s original arrangement in her book “10 Pieces variees”

Some background on the song itself.

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Ep. 281 – How to figure out pedal changes and fingerings featuring Schubert/Godefroid “Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt”

I’m excited about doing a Harp Tuesday episode on the first of Godefroid’s five fantasies on Schubert songs (I already did one on the Serenade (https://www.harptuesday.com/ep207/ )

In preparation I needed to write in pedal changes and some fingerings and I thought I’d bring you along! I hope this episode gives you a sense of how you can do quite a bit away from the harp – although there is no substitute for actually trying it out, I know for sure I will change some of the fingering – stay tuned for the Harp Tuesday episode featuring it 🙂

If you want to play the piece yourself it is public domain and can be found at the Harp Archives: https://archive.org/details/colemlodiquepour01gode/page/2/mode/2up

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Ep. 280 – Using an iPad as a musician in 2024

These days I’ve stopped using paper music entirely and have gone completely digital. In this video I talk of upgrading to the larger 12.9 iPad four years ago and offer some thoughts on whether using a tablet for sheet music is something you want to do.

Definitely check out my other videos talking about iPads (and about forScore, which to me is the best app for reading sheet music and the reason I got an iPad in the first place).

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Ep. 279 – How to play “The Jolly Peasant” from the First Harp Book

In this episode I take a look at the Jolly Peasant from Betty Paret’s First Harp Book and talk about why the rhythm of the piece and coordinating both hands is so tricky!

A patron mentioned that in fact the dance is probably a “Furiant” and that the first 2 bars should likely be 3 bars of 2/4, in which case the LH rhythm for those two bars is the odd one out. Still hard to play it (as written), regardless of emphasis, since either the right or left hand will feel a bit weird!

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Ep. 278 – The new 13 inch iPad Air – what it means for musicians

Since getting a larger size iPad pro 4 years ago I’ve gone completely digital with sheet music.

As I talked about in a video looking at what iPad to buy as far as using it to read sheet music goes, we don’t need the power of the “Pro” (and this is even more true now with the M series chips). So I think it’s fantastic that finally the large 13 inch size is available as an Air and not just as a Pro.

In this video I try to compare some various options, as well as talk about the new “Pencil Pro”. If you end up getting one of the new iPads and the pencil pro I’d love to hear about your experience!

Other videos I’ve done about using iPads and forScore for sheet music: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/forscore-ipad/

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Ep. 277 – how to organize a concert program

In this episode I talk about the general structure of my typical concert programs and how I think about putting all the moving pieces together!

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Ep. 276 – How to play double harmonics on the harp

Other episodes on harmonics can be found here.

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Ep. 275 – How I prepare a concert program

I’m getting ready to tour Australia and New Zealand – here’s a look at how I practice and prepare my concert program!

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Ep. 274 – A look at St. Columba’s Moon by Dorothy Cook

My friend Dorothy Cook asked me a number of years ago if I could write down a piece that she had composed. That piece is called St. Columba’s Moon, inspired by an experience she’d had at a harp event at a place called St. Columba’s house.

I’ve always wanted to do a Harp Tuesday episode about the piece – and here it is! Dorothy has made the sheet music freely available if you want to play it yourself.

Dorothy as an amazing storytelling and I’m so glad that I got the chance to film her telling the story behind the piece. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear her story and to hear me play through the entire piece.

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Ep. 273 – testing out Note Rush, a sight-reading app

Once you understand the basics of learning to read music (I did an episode on it many, many years ago! Episode 5…) I think the best way to get fluent is just doing it enough that it becomes second nature.

Drill/flash card style apps can potentially be a good tool. I’ve always thought it would be great to have an app that would let you play the note you think it is on your instrument, and tell you if you were right or wrong! (Rather than typing it, or otherwise indicating the note on the screen).

Thanks to a Facebook discussion I became aware of Note Rush, an app which does just that. In this episode I go over how it works and some of the quirks and downsides.

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Ep. 272 – How to play George Winston’s Carol of the Bells on lever harp

I love George Winston’s take on Carol of the Bells (the traditional Ukrainian song Shchedryk). In this episode I take a look at how to play it on lever harp!

Here’s a link to the sheet music I’m using (note that this is an affiliate link – I will get a small percentage if you purchase the music using the link.

As I mention in the episode, there are several options for Winston’s music, none of which seem to be completely free of errors. If you like his music you might pick up the “George Winston Piano Solos” book 1.

I just bought the Kindle version of the book a couple days ago to see whether it is any more accurate and it seems to be exactly the same as the version I used (mistakes and all). The Prelude, however, seems more accurate, and of course it includes a bunch of other music!

I filmed a music video on pedal harp:

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Ep. 271 – How to figure out pedal changes (featuring Carol of the Bells)

I’m using an easy version of Carol of the Bells (Shchedryk) as the example. You can get a free copy of it by signing up for my email newsletter.

I did a Harp Tuesday episode about learning how to play it (on lever harp) last year at https://www.harptuesday.com/ep250/

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Ep. 270 – Pedal charts: what are they and how to use them? Pedal Harp basics.

Pedal charts are the best way to easily and visually represent the settings of the pedals on a pedal harp at any particular time. In this episode I talk about what they are and how they are used. This episode also covers the topic of pedal charts, from the point of view of a composer or publisher.

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Ep. 269 – Analyzing Hasselmans’ “Rouet”

Today I take a look at Hasselman’s lovely “Rouet” (Spinning Wheel) from his “Three short and easy pieces”. You can find a copy of it at the harp archives: https://archive.org/details/troispetitespi00hass2/page/2/mode/2up

I talk more about the mechanics of playing downward 3 note patterns in an episode on Aurum Aqua (which can be played on pedal or lever harp):

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Ep. 268 – Flying with a harp

I’ve recently returned home from a European tour – in this episode I talk about flying with a harp, something I had never done up until last year. I’d love hear your experiences and suggestions about flying with harps in the comments!

Dusty Strings flight case: https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/products/dusty-flight-case

Rick Kemper (Sligo Harps) guide for making a flight case: https://www.sligoharps.com/hardCase.pdf

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Ep. 267 – How to play “Swinging” from the 1st Harp Book

In this episode I take a quick look at “Swinging” from page 5 of Betty Paret’s First Harp Book. It features right hand glisses – check out episode 18 for more on glisses: https://www.harptuesday.com/harp-tuesday-ep-18/

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Ep. 266 – Practicing Chopin’s “Raindrop Prelude”

I’m working on Chopin’s Prelude No. 15 (Raindrop) and in this video I give a look at the process of refining how I play the first 4 bars. Recording oneself, listening back and making notes, recording again, listening again, recording again, listening again… is a very powerful technique to help polish a piece of music.

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Ep. 265 – Standard Interval Fingerings

There’s a standard fingering to use for any interval. Of course you don’t always have to follow it (especially if you have particularly small or large hands) but it’s worth knowing about – as well as the reasoning behind it.

You can download a PDF showing these typical fingerings here.

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Ep. 264 – Instrument pickups – what are they and do you need one?

A followup to last week’s episode.

Ep. 263 – Installing a pickup on my Camac Excalibur

3 years ago I bought a 4 piezo pickup kit on Ebay for $70 US. I finally got around to installing it – watch the installation process in this video and tune in next week for my thoughts after using it for a week, and thoughts on pick-ups in general.

The person I bought the pickups from, Rebelpickups, is not currently on Ebay but they are still selling their pickups – here’s a listing on marktplaats – use google translate to view in English or your favourite language: https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/muziek-en-instrumenten/snaarinstrumenten-harpen/m1986402347-super-pickup-voor-harp-lees-de-reviews-rebelpickups

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Ep. 262 – How to play the introduction to Godefroid’s “Etude de Concert”

In this episode I look at the first page of Felix Godefroid’s Etude de Concert in E flat minor. Download the first page with my markings on it here. The full piece can be found at the harp archives here.

I talked a bit about this etude back in Harp Tuesday episode 65: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-65-la-source-and-etude-de-concert/

And here’s an episode featuring an arrangement for lever harp of the main theme: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep197/

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Ep. 261 – How to play “Deep in the Forest”

In this episode I take a look at “Deep in the Forest”, the first piece from Betty Paret’s “Second Harp Book”.

This lovely little piece contains arpeggios, rolled chords, près de la table, étouffé, harmonics, and a gliss, all within a page and a half!

Some related Harp Tuesday episodes:

Arpeggios
Rolled chords
Open thumb/“étouffé”
Harmonics
Glisses
Thumb slides

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Ep. 260 – How high or low on the strings should you play?

In this episode I talk about how in general you should play at middle of the strings to get the best sound, demonstrate a rule that helps ensure that’s the case when the hands are close together (left thumb above right fingers), and show how Près de la Table (close to the soundboard and Bas dans la cordes (lower on the strings) sound.

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Ep. 259 – How to play “Rondo” from The First Harp Book

Here’s a look at how to play the Rondo from Betty Paret’s First Harp Book. (I have wonderful memories of learning this piece 30+ years ago). It’s great practice for being able to smoothly turn around a 1,2,3,2,1 pattern.

I’ve done several other episodes over the years featuring piece’s from the First Harp Book: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/first-harp-book-by-betty-paret/

If you’re working on music from the First Harp Book, Stephanie Claussen has recorded almost all the pieces from it – an invaluable resource to be able to hear a piece you’re working on: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4JwuCn3bqMlPRnaUa8TqTYS_pypMAy3U

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Ep. 258 – Grossi/Pozzoli exercise no. 1

In this episode I take a look at the first (grade 1/grado 1) exercise from Pozzoli’s “Piccoli Studi facili e progressivi”, found in Maria Grossi’s “Method for Harp” (page 90 in the edition I have).

If you’re looking for exercises the entire book has lots of good material, almost all of which can be played on a lever harp.

If you’re looking for more videos on exercises, check out episode 39: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-39-exercises-arpeggios-scales-and-more/

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Ep. 257 – An in-depth look at the first movement from Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 11

In this episode I take an in-depth look at the first movement (theme and variations) from Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 11, transcribed for harp by Alfred Kastner.

Here’s a music video of the first movement:

You can find a copy of Kastner’s arrangement at the harp archives (or IMSLP).

Sign up for my email newsletter to get a copy with my fingering and pedal markings – both as a PDF and as a forScore file (in case you use forScore, which then gives you the option of easily erasing any of my markings you don’t need).

IMSLP has various editions of the piano music, including the first edition – useful to compare and check. And many of the editions include suggestions on how to play the various ornaments and appoggiatura.

I did an episode years ago featuring a very easy arrangement of the first half of the theme from this Sonata, as well as an “into the archives” episode offering a first look at Kastner’s arrangement.

Ep. 256 – Left handed/one handed exercises on the harp

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What to do if you have an injury/can’t play with one hand for awhile? I offer up a few ideas, exercises, and pieces, with a focus on the left hand, as it tends to not be as accomplished as the right hand so it can be worth doing some left hand work regardless of whether you can play with both hands or not!

I mention the Lariviere exercises and Bochsa’s 50 etudes – they can both be found at the harp archives.

Ep. 255 – 4 reasons I talk between pieces while performing

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Should you talk between pieces as a classical musician? I do, and here are four reasons why.

What about you? Do you like it when performers talk a little bit between pieces or do you prefer they go straight to the next piece. Do YOU talk between pieces when performing?

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Ep. 254 – A fundamental finger exercise

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In this episode I demonstrate a fundamental ability on the harp – being able to play any finger while all four fingers are placed in a row.

This can lead to exploring further finger independence work: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/finger-independence/

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Ep. 253 – A carbon fiber single action pedal harp: an interview with Andrea Pretzler

In August of 2022 I got a chance to try a prototype of a carbon fiber single action pedal harp, developed by Austrian engineer Andrea Pretzler. Here’s my interview with her, filmed in August of 2022.

Check out http://eclipse-harp.at/models for more info about the harp.

I also filmed a Harpist in the Wild episode on the harp:

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Ep. 252 – Practicing harmonics – a harmonic etude

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Harmonics on the harp really benefit from sustained practice, but often pieces only have a few harmonics. In this episode I use a very easy setting of a Bach Chorale that I did several years ago (episode 181) and turn it into an etude for harmonics!

I’ve done many videos on how to play harmonics over the years: https://www.harptuesday.com/harp-tuesday-ep-9/

And here’s the episode on the Bach Chorale – my discussion of the phrasing and dynamics apply whether you’re playing it with harmonics or not! https://www.harptuesday.com/ep181/

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Ep. 251 – Memorizing Zabel’s “The Fountain” (La Source/Am Springbrunnen)

In this final episode of 2022 I attempt to memorize the main theme of Albert Zabel’s beautiful “Am Springbrunnen” (At the Fountain). Sheet music can be found at https://imslp.org/wiki/Am_Springbrunnen%2C_Op.24_(Zabel%2C_Albert)

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Ep. 250 – How to play Carol of the Bells (easy arrangement)

In this episode I teach an easy arrangement I did of Carol of the Bells, suitable for small (fully-levered) harps.

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Ep. 249 – Bach’s 1st Cello Prelude on the harp (special 12 years of Harp Tuesday episode)

In this special 12th anniversary episode of Harp Tuesday, I show how I play the Prelude of Bach’s 1st Cello Suite with only the left hand. It ends up fitting so nicely, it’s almost as if Bach intended it for the harp and it makes a wonderful left hand exercise 🙂

Download the music for free!

Sign up to my email newsletter to get more free sheet music, and of course lots more music, include other Bach transcriptions, at my online store).

I did a Harpist in the Wild episode featuring the cello prelude:

My original inspiration to try this Prelude with LH only was seeing that Fernando Guerrero had done so. Watch his video here and he has whole book of movements from the cellos suites arranged for LH only: http://www.arlu.org/arlu.html (click on “publicaciones”).

If you want to play the Prelude on lever harp, it’s one of the pieces in Anne-Marie O’Farrell book of Bach transcriptions.

Ep. 248 – Staccato notes on the harp, featuring Debussy’s “Girl with the Flaxen Hair”.

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In this episode I answer a viewer’s question about playing ascending intervals, and how to make them staccato, specifically in the end of Debussy’s Prelude No. 8 (“La fille aux cheveux de lin/Girl with the Flaxen Hair”).

I’ve done lots of other episodes on muffling and dampening over the years: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-24-muffling-and-dampening-techniques/

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My music video of the Debussy:

Ep. 247 – 4th finger muffling technique

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Here’s a technique that you can use to “slide” your fourth finger along a previously played string to muffle it on the way to playing the string above it. Very useful to have in your bag of tools!

I’ve done lots of other episodes on muffling and dampening over the years: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-24-muffling-and-dampening-techniques/

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Ep. 246 – Memorizing music – from frowned upon to required! A history of memorization in classical music.

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I played a concerto this summer and used sheet music rather than playing it from memory. In this Harp Tuesday episode I talk about why. I also look at the history of memorization in classical music and how it went from something that generally wasn’t done to being the norm in many cases.

I based a lot of this video on this article by Jennifer Mishra – well worth reading!

I enjoyed this NY Time article: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/01/arts/music/memorizations-loosening-hold-on-concert-tradition.html

And on the flip side, an excellent article about an orchestra performing from memory: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/magazine/features/dance-music-time/

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Ep. 245 – Accent! A scale exercise

In this episode I take a look at a scale exercise from Renie’s Method for Harp that works on accenting different fingers – always useful!

Other Harp Tuesday episodes featuring scales: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/scales/

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Ep. 244 – Harp Review! My thoughts on my Harp-E.

The harp-e is an intriguing electric harp design. I couldn’t resist buying one and having been using it as I travel through Europe. Here’s my review/impressions of the harp so far – hope you find it useful/interesting.

I also did an episode interview the designer of the harp-e during the World Harp Congress: https://youtu.be/XlTTmlffmj4

And an episode on the process of assembling my harp from a kit: https://youtu.be/s8LfeKqB6sU

More on harp-e at https://www.harp-e.com/

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Ep. 243 – Four tips for using forScore (iPad+sheet music).

I use the app forScore when reading music on my iPad (and I love it). Here are four things I’ve discovered over the years that I thought were worth sharing!

1. Save sheet music in a cloud service first, then download it from the cloud service into forScore for extra backup/redundancy. (Here’s how to backup your forScore data that is on your iPad, something else you should do regularly! https://forscore.co/kb/backing-up/ )

2. Single tap to turn pages, rather than a swipe. Some pluses and minuses to this, I think, but to my mind it’s the fastest and most efficient way to turn pages. Set this in the “gestures” options under settings.

3. Make use of the multi-finger gestures. I have a two-fingered tap set to do a half-page turn, a great timesaver if I’m in full page turn mode but want to see both the end of the current page and the start of the next page. I also like the (default) option of a single finger long press to enter edit/annotation mode. Set this in the “gestures” options under settings.

4. Using bookmarks to “extract” a portion of a many-paged pdf file. You can use the bookmark tool to make it easy to navigate to certain areas of a book or long pdf. In addition, once you’ve tapped on a bookmark, you can go to “rearrange” and have the option to save just those bookmarked pages as a separate pdf!

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More episode featuring forScore and using a tablet for sheet music: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/forscore-ipad/

Ep. 242 – Building an electric harp (Harp-E)

I purchased and built an electric harp from a kit! Here’s my experience building it – look for a full review soon.

The harp is a “harp-e”, available at https://www.harp-e.com/collections/for-individuals I did an interview with the designer of harp-e, Joris Beets, that got me interested in buying one (filmed at the World Harp Congress in Wales): https://youtu.be/XlTTmlffmj4

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Ep. 241 – An affordable, self-assembled, electric harp? A look at Harp-E

Joris Beets was kind enough to take some time to chat with me at the World Harp Congress about his newest invention – Harp-E!

Lots more info about this harp at https://www.harp-e.com/ And the Harp-E channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEPCNakbK2x_c1FC2NAFheg

Hope you enjoyed this on location video about a very cool harp! Support from my patrons helped make this video possible – if you would like to help support future videos you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

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Ep. 240 – Musician’s Earplugs – do they work? Which ones should you get?

As a musician, protecting our hearing is rather important! Depending on your situation you may want to investigate musician’s earplugs, which attempt to “turn down” the sound level, while still maintaining the clarity and fidelity of the sound.

They tend to work pretty well, and what you’re looking for is then a question of fit. If you can find an “off the shelf” set that fit snugly and comfortably for your ear, that’s perfect! The etymotic er-20s I mention in the video cost only about $20, for example.

You may find that for a good fit and a comfort level that allows you to wear them for hours on end you need a custom set, molded to the specific shape of your ear canal. These can generally be purchased at your local ear and hearing specialists, and might range from $150-300. Expensive, but potentially well worth it!

Here’s an article (via google search) from 2014 that I thought offers a decent overview on musician’s earplugs: https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/accessories/earmolds/high-notes-musicians-earplugs

And the US CDC page on volume levels and preventing hearing loss: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html

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Ep. 239 – An in-depth look at Marcel Tournier’s Etude de Concert

French harpist and composer Marcel Tournier’s “Etude de Concert” (Au Matin/In the Morning) is a beautiful piece of music that’s also very satisfying to play!

In this episode I offer a few practical suggestions for playing it. Make sure to watch my performance of the Etude here.

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Ep. 238 – Grip the strings – fundamental harp technique.

I love the feeling and sound that gets created by firmly gripping the harp strings – putting quite a bit of one’s fingers on the strings. In this episode I give a close up (and slow motion) look at how far I put my fingers between the strings.

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Ep. 237 – How to prepare an orchestral harp part , featuring “Capriccio Espagnol”.

These days we’re so lucky to have easy access to recordings and the full score when it comes to preparing many orchestral parts. In this video I show how I use these tools to help get ready to perform the harp part to Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol”.

While this video is about learning a harp part, I think it’s relevant for any instrument, particularly those that have many bars of rest between playing… 🙂

I make use of this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY2Bt0TppKw which displays the score of “Capriccio Espagnol” as the music is playing – so handy! I also briefly play a small section of this recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rqwvMMxeA8

IMSLP.org is an amazing resource for public domain classical music, and you can find there both the harp part and the full orchestral score to “Capriccio Espagnol”, along with thousands of other pieces.

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Ep. 236 – creating a harp cart out of a golf cart

Harp carts can be expensive and hard to find – in this episode I show how I’ve been able to use a cheap golf cart as a pretty decent harp cart!

Re-purposing stuff is always fun – in this case I didn’t really have to do anything, just taped on some plastic padding and added a couple bungie cords.

Of course, golf carts aren’t designed for harps, so use this idea at your own risk, but it’s worked out very well for me!

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Ep. 235 – A simple placing exercise for the harp

This simple (but not easy!) exercise is particularly good for a number of things, but particularly for working on placing all 4 fingers on the way down, rather than walking the fingers down one at a time. Hope you find it useful!

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Ep. 234 – 3 tips for memorizing music

In this episode I talk about three techniques you can use to help to memorize music and demonstrate them in action as I attempt to memorize a piece of music called Cherry Trees at Merchiston written by Isobel Mieras (http://www.isobelmieras.co.uk/) Written originally for the 2020 virtual edition of the Edinburgh Harp Festival, it is available as part of this collection: http://www.creightonscollection.co.uk/Pages/scores/SM/SM668.htm

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Ep. 233 – Being open-minded: finding better solutions when playing music (featuring Jardin Mouillé)

I believe it always pays to keep an open mind – even when playing a piece of music you know extremely well. There’s always a chance there might be an even better way of doing something!

This happened recently to me in a short section from a piece on which I’m working (Jaques de la Presle’s “Jardin Mouillé”). In this episode I demonstrate both my new and old approaches, as well as talking more generally about the benefits of keeping an open mind and cultivating an ability to change the way you play something!

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Ep. 232 – An in-depth look at Au Bord Du Ruisseau by Henriette Renié

“Au bord du ruisseau” (By the stream, or on the banks of the stream) is a short, beautiful piece by the Henriette Renié, a monumental figure in the classical harp world.

Henriette Renié (1876-1956) had a tremendous impact through her teaching, but also through her compositions. Read more about her life at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henriette_Reni%C3%A9

Henriette Renie: A pioneer in the world of the harp (Masters thesis) https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/17034

Short article: https://hcommons.org/?get_group_doc=1003852/1623174466-HenrietteReniLgende.pdf

CBC podcast: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-428-in-concert-on-demand/clip/15882542-the-revival-hour-138-henriette-renie

I recorded Renié’s “Legende” on my album “Passage: music for solo harp”.

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Ep. 231 – what is the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures?

The time signatures of 3/4 and 6/8 both contain a total of six 8th notes. So what is the difference between them?? This is a question I’ve often been asked by students, and in this video I attempt to answer. (Quick answer – 3/4 has 3 beats or pulses per bar, and 6/8 only has 2 beats).

For further reading, the wikipedia page on time signatures is a good starting place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_signature

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Ep. 230 – Muffling and lever changes

A look at the technique I use to muffle a string before changing its lever.

I’m using as an example Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C major, which is a fantastic piece to practice lever changes and muffles. Lots of arrangements for lever harp exist, including in my book “Transcriptions for Lever Harp”.

If you’re my patron at the $3+ level you can get a free copy of my arrangement of the Prelude.

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Ep. 229 – Refining and shaping a piece of music (featuring Le Jardin Mouillé)

Recording yourself and listening back is such a powerful way to help polish and refine a piece. In this episode I look at a small section from Presle’s “Jardin Mouillé” that I want to try and improve.

I’ve done two other episodes on the process of learning Jardin Mouillé – https://www.harptuesday.com/ep217/

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Ep. 228 – A 1 minute chord exercise!

Happy New Year! To start off the year, here’s a short exercise that is a great candidate to turn into a daily goal for 2022.

Want to hear more about my thoughts on goals, process, and more? Watch this conversation with Victoria at Talking Harps: https://youtu.be/XiuWoEmfF3M

I’ve covered many other aspects of playing chords in various Harp Tuesday episodes: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/chords/

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Ep. 227 – Composing a harp duet

For the final Harp Tuesday episode of 2021, I start composing, on camera, a new harp duet. If you like this type of episode, be sure to check on my videos on composing “Uncharted Shores” and “Fantasy on Greensleeves” plus arranging “The Skye Boat Song“.

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Ep. 226 – An in-depth look at Handel’s Chaconne in D minor, arr. for harp.

An in-depth look at my arrangement for lever harp of the the Chaconne from Handel’s Suite in D minor, HWV 448. (One of seven pieces in my book, Transcriptions for Lever Harp).

Listen to a music video of the Chaconne in this Harpist in the Wild video.

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Ep. 225 – Finger independence featuring Nordic Spaces

Placing all four fingers but only playing 2 at a time – featuring a section from my composition Nordic Spaces.

This type of finger independence can be extremely handy! For more, check out Harp Tuesday episode 23, plus page 32 from Betty Paret’s First Harp Book and/or the first set of the Lariviere exercises.

Sheet music for Nordic Spaces is available at https://www.joshlayne.com/store/?product=nordic-spaces-downloadable-sheet-music-pdf

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Ep. 224 – how to play open thumb/“étouffé”

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I demonstrate how to play open thumb/“étouffé” notes – useful for muffling and/or for getting a staccato sound.

I’ve done many other Harp Tuesday episodes on muffling.

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Ep. 223 – how to play Aurum Aqua

A look at how to play Aurum Aqua, a short piece featuring downwards arpeggios in the style of Hasselman’s La Source or Pratt’s The Little Fountain.

Susan Dahl Graham, the composer, has made the sheet music available for free! Download it here.

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

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And make sure to watch the Harpist in the Wild episode featuring Aurum Aqua:

Ep. 222 – Recording harp outdoors, auto-syncing audio, plus bonus Skye Boat Song performance

How I record on outdoors with a handheld recorder (Zoom H5) placed inside the body of my lever harp, PLUS how to automatically sync the audio afterwards using free video editing software, DaVinci Resolve.

Download DaVinci Resolve

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Ep. 221 – Harp placement rules – only place in one direction

In this episode I attempt to clearly define the harp fingering rule of only placing in one direction/not playing out of order and demonstrate what that means in practice using Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major.

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Ep. 220 – Harp fingering principles, featuring “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”

A look at harp fingering principles, through the lens of figuring out fingerings for a traditional Irish reel – The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

Want a copy of the leadsheet with my final fingerings? Get it for free (plus a bunch of other music) by signing up for my email newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/bcfffee4008e/barleyleadsheet

https://thesession.org/ is a fantastic free resource for traditional Irish music.

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 219 – Muffling Technique on the harp (Featuring Bach’s C sharp minor Prelude)

Placing on a string not to play it, but to muffle it, is an excellent option in certain passages. Here, I demonstrate it using a two bar section from Bach’s Prelude No. 4 (C sharp minor) from the Well-Tempered Clavier.

More videos on muffling on the harp: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-24-muffling-and-dampening-techniques/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 218 – An Arpeggio Drill

In this episode I demonstrate how to use a metronome that is gradually speeding up to practice arpeggios. Also check out this episode on arpeggios: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-39-exercises-arpeggios-scales-and-more/

The metronome I’m using is “pro metronome”:
Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eumlab.android.prometronome

Apple https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pro-metronome-tempo-beat-subdivision-polyrhythm/id477960671

I did a similar episode featuring rolled chords: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-185-rolled-chord-drills/

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Ep. 217 – Deliberate practice! Featuring “Le Jardin Mouillé”.

The idea of “deliberate practice” can be a very useful concept and tool. In this episode I share a few thoughts about it and then try to demonstrate deliberate practice in action as I tackle two sections from Jacques de la Presle’s beautiful “Le Jardin Mouillé”.

I did an earlier episode about practicing Le Jardin Mouillé: https://youtu.be/aO3GxeA4Mek and sheet music can be found at https://archive.org/details/lejardinmouill00lapr/page/n3/mode/2up

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 216 – A look at “Vanille” by Bernard Andres

A look at one of my favourite pieces from Bernard Andres collection “Epices” (Spices).

I also did a look at “Pistache” from the same book in Harp Tuesday episode 109: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-109-pistachio-by-bernard-andres/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 215 – How many strings should you get when buying a pedal harp?

How big a pedal harp do you need? In response to a viewer’s question, I thought I’d offer a few thoughts on whether to get a full-sized pedal harp or something smaller. (Answer – it depends!)

I use the Virginia Harp Center’s website as a handy reference for current US prices for Lyon and Healy, Salvi, and Camac: https://www.vaharpcenter.com/

I mention Tyrolean single-action harps as an interesting option for some people. Here’s a harp maker’s website: http://www.muernseer.at/en/harp/

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Ep. 214 – Playing descending thirds with a thumb slide

In this short technique episode, I give a look at how to playing descending 2 note chords (3rds, 6ths, etc.) using a thumb slide – a technique that opens up the possibility of more speed than playing each chord individually.

You can also check out the in-depth episode I did on slides almost 10 years ago! https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-27-slides/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 213 – Easy harp music – how to play “Night Song”.

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a look at a short piece from Betty Paret’s “First Harp Book”. “Night Song” is a beautiful piece, and great practice for right hand chords (3rds and 6ths).

I could resist a beautiful June day, and took Harp Tuesday outside! This also ties in with my new series, Harpist in the Wild. Episode 2 (A Baroque Feast) is about to wrap up, with the season finale on June 5. More at https://www.harpistinthewild.com/

Paret’s “First Harp Book” is an excellent book with some nice music and great fingerings. You should be able to find it at your favorite local music store, or online for example at https://www.harpcenter.com/product/paret-first-harp-book/harp-music-books-betty-paret

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 212 – Into the Archives! A look at Godefroid’s“Mystérieux Vallon”.

Another “into the archives” episode, where I take a look at a piece of music from the International Harp Archives. In this case it’s a lovely little piece by Felix Godefroid called the “Mysterious Valley“.

Requested by a viewer, I wasn’t familiar with this piece but I really enjoyed reading through it, and as well as introducing it to you I offer up some ideas on how to approach a piece when you’re first learning it.

You can find the sheet music for free at https://archive.org/details/pensesmusicale01gode/page/20/mode/2up

You can also download a copy with my pedal markings here. (And while you’re at it, perhaps sign up for my email newsletter!).

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 211 – Playing fast and practicing Bach’s Toccata

In this video I look at how to break down and practice a short section from Bach’s Toccata in D minor. This method of finding a small section or “chunk” that you can practice effectively is a very important and useful concept for practicing in general!

Sheet music for my transcription is available at https://www.joshlayne.com/store/

Make sure to check out my Harpist in the Wild episode about the Toccata!

Ep. 210 – Practicing “Le Jardin Mouillé”

A chance to watch how I go about practicing a section from Presle’s beautiful “Le Jardin Mouillé”. I always think we need more options to watch people practice, rather than just seeing the finished product. Hope you find this interesting!

Sheet music can be found for free at the harp archives at https://archive.org/details/lejardinmouill00lapr/page/n3/mode/2up

Ep. 209 – How to create a virtual duet with DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a free and extremely powerful video editing program. In this episode I show you how you can use it to create a virtual duet, trio, quartet or more, where you play all the parts!

Download Resolve at https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 208 – A jumping exercise for the left hand

A short etude to work on your left hand’s ability to jump from a low chord to a high chord and back again! Playable on a small harp – no sheet music, but I just teach it by rote – hope you enjoy!

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 207 – An in-depth look at Godefroid’s Fantasie on Schubert’s “Ständchen”

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a look at Felix Godefroid’s beautiful take on Schubert’s “Ständchen” or “Serenade“. Here’s a live performance of it from 2016:

The music can be found for free at the Harp Archives: https://archive.org/details/colemlodique05gode/page/2/mode/2up

Here’s an episode I did on playing 2 against 3 –https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-124-playing-2-vs-3-rhythms-in-debussys-1st-arabesque/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 206 – How to play “A Winter’s Day”

Get the free sheet music by signing up for my email newsletter 🙂

Watch the companion Harpist in the Wild episode:

Ep. 205 – How to change pedal felts on a harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I show you how I change the pedal felts on my Lyon and Healy style 30. Hope you find this useful! 🙂

Ep. 204 – What makes a chord major or minor on the harp?

Here’s my answer to a viewer’s question on what you need to do on the harp to make a chord major or minor. (Answer – the fingers play the same strings – it’s all about the lever or pedal settings!).

Ep. 203 – Practicing Vivaldi’s Winter

Come join me as I practice a section from Vivaldi’s “Winter“! We see the finished product (performance/recording, etc.) but I think that getting a chance to also watch a practice session can be very useful! Hope you enjoy 🙂

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible.

Ep. 202 – Testing forScore’s “Face Gestures” to turn pages

In this episode I take a look at the “Face Gestures” that forScore pro offers and explain why the gestures, as well as the motion based page turns via AirPod Pros (I haven’t tested them, since I don’t own AirPods, but the motion turns are available to all forScore users) are not something I’m interested in using – fun to test, but not a usable option from my point of view!

I love the forScore app for organizing, reading, and marking music: https://forscore.co/ (not sponsored!)

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 201 – A look at “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” on the harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a look at how to play Carol Kappus’ beautiful arrangement of “Poor Wayfaring Stranger”. Check out Carol’s music and sign up for her email list at http://www.carolkappus.com

I recorded “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” as a standalone music video:

Ep. 200 – How I did I get started playing the harp? My harp origin story

Happy Birthday, Harp Tuesday!

This episode is special not only because it’s episode 200, but also because Harp Tuesday turns 10 years old today! Ten years ago on Dec. 1, 2010, I uploaded the very first episode of Harp Tuesday. (https://www.harptuesday.com/ep1/)

Support from my patrons has been invaluable over these past few years. You can become my patron and support the work I do on YouTube at: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 199 – A virtual duet! Renié’s “Les pins de Charlannes”

A special virtual duet episode of Harp Tuesday! I’ve uploaded myself playing the 2nd harp part to Henriette Renié’s beautiful duet, “Les pins de Charlannes” and I invite you to play the 1st harp part along with me!

Sheet music can be found at IMSLP: https://imslp.org/wiki/Les_pins_de_Charlannes_(Reni%C3%A9%2C_Henriette)

I did a similar idea many years ago (in 2013!) for the Bach/Gounod “Ave Maria”: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-52-ave-maria-duet/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 198 – What iPad should you get for reading music?

Are you thinking using an iPad for reading sheet music? In this episode I try to answer the question of which iPad you should get! I also give a review of my experience upgrading this year from an iPad Air 2, to a 12.9 inch iPad Pro, as well as using the Apple Pencil.

As far as using an iPad for reading music, the short answer is that any of the current iPad offerings (iPad 8th Gen, iPad Air 4th gen, or iPad Pro) are easily capable of doing so. The question comes down to screen size – if you want the 12.9 inch size (so nice!) you’re forced to get an iPad Pro. If you think you’ll be fine with the smaller screen size, then the iPad 8th Gen will be fine.

If you’re trying to figure out what screen size you want, here are three PDFs I created. One shows the dimensions of the current set of iPads (as well as my old iPad Air 2), the other two show what a piece of music would look like, on the 12.9 and 10.2 size, respectively. (The music is my freely available arrangement of a Bach cantata – https://www.harptuesday.com/jesu/ )

Comparison chart: https://www.joshlayne.com/iPadScreenSizes.pdf
Bach 10.2 (base iPad) https://www.joshlayne.com/iPad8thgenBachExample.pdf
Bach 12.9 (iPad Pro) https://www.joshlayne.com/iPad12BachExample.pdf

I love the forScore app for organizing, reading, and marking music: https://forscore.co/

iPad benchmark info: https://browser.geekbench.com/ios_devices/11

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

A couple of previous episode on iPads and sheet music:

Ep. 113 Sheet music on tablets (forScore/iPad)

Ep. 152 – Half Page Turns with forScore on the iPad

Ep. 197 – Godefroid’s Etude in E minor arr. for lever harp

A viewer did this excellent adaptation for lever harp of the theme from Felix Godefroid’s Concert Etude in Eb Minor. In this episode I introduce you to the piece and look at how to play it.

You can download it for free (account registration needed) at https://musescore.com/user/30597084/scores/6352144

I did a look at the pedal harp version (sheet music available for free at https://archive.org/details/etudedeconcerten01gode/page/n3/mode/2up ) in Harp Tuesday episode 65: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-65-la-source-and-etude-de-concert/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 196 – How to play “Good Morning, Little Yellow Bird”

30 years ago, on Oct. 9th, 1990 I started learning “Good Morning, Little Yellow Bird”. This is the earliest piece of music I have on which my teacher (Kathryn Ely) wrote the date we started. 30 years later I thought it would be fitting to do a Harp Tuesday episode on it – hope you enjoy!

Ep. 195 – Two common harp accompaniment patterns

A look at two very common left hand accompaniment patterns and how to play them fluidly! 1,5,8,9,10 crossing under (or 1,5,8,10,12) plus the big stretch of a 1,5,8,10 without crossing under.

Hope this is helpful!

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 194 – How to play the ‘Aria’ from Bach’s Goldberg Variations – working with tricky rhythms.

The Aria that starts off Bach’s Goldberg Variations has note values from half notes to 32nds and the rhythm can be a bit intimidating at first glance. In this episode I walk you through how to decipher and make sense of this and other music with tricky rhythms.

My arrangement of the Aria is one of seven pieces in my new book, Transcriptions for Lever Harp.

Ep. 193 – My system for notating lever changes

Here’s the system I use to indicate lever changes easily and clearly in Finale. Lever changes can pose a bit of challenge to show exactly which lever is to be changed.

Even if you work with a different notation software (Musescore, Sibelius, etc.) I hope this episode is helpful and gives you some ideas 🙂

Ep. 192 – Playing a left hand harmonic+chord (at the same time)

How to play a left hand chord with a harmonic on top. I talk about the various chords+harmonics in Godefroid’s take on “The Last Rose of Summer”.

The pedal harp sheet music can be found at https://archive.org/details/ladernirerosedtm00gode/page/2/mode/2up

I’ve arranged it for lever harp as part of my new book, “Transcriptions for Lever Harp”: https://www.joshlayne.com/store/?product=transcriptions-for-lever-harp-volume-1-downloadable-sheet-music-pdf

More videos on harmonics: https://www.harptuesday.com/harp-tuesday-ep-9/

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 191 – How to play Xylophonic sounds on the harp

What are “Xylophonic Sounds” on the harp and how do you play them? Find out in this episode of Harp Tuesday 🙂

My new composition, “Uncharted Shores“, features some xylophonic sounds, as does my composition Forgotten Summer.

Uncharted Shores:
Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og_yuRQz934
Sheet Music: https://www.joshlayne.com/store/?product=uncharted-shores-downloadable-sheet-music-pdf

Forgotten Summer:
Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWhDpSrGUDo
Sheet Music: https://www.joshlayne.com/store/?product=five-solos-for-lever-harp-downloadable-sheet-music-pdf

Support from my patrons helped make this video possible: https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 190 – How to play the opening Mordent from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue

The mordent that starts the Toccata and Fugue in D minor is one of the most recognizable openings in all of classical music. In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about two possible fingerings – one that I feel is ideal for this type of pattern, and the other, that I ultimately ended up using 🙂

Watch my performance of the Toccata and Fugue:

Buy the sheet music at https://www.joshlayne.com/bachtoccata/

Ep. 189 – Do new wire harp strings make a difference?

My Camac Excalibur is almost three years old (hard to believe!) and I recently replaced the wire strings.

In this video I talk about and offer tips on the process, as well as playing before and after sound samples to try and give an idea of what effect it has to put on new strings!

Ep. 188 – A look at “Farewell to Stromness”

Farewell to Stromness is part of the “Yellow Cake Revue” – a set of songs plus two piano interludes (Farewell to Stromness being one) that Sir Peter Maxwell Davies wrote to protest a proposed uranium mine on the Orkney islands in 1980.

Written for the piano, I think it works beautifully on the harp (thanks to a viewer for the suggestion!). In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about some of the fingerings and other things I’ve done to adapt it for the harp.

Ep. 187 – A look at Hasselman’s “Chanson de Mai”

A look at Hasselman’s beautiful “Chanson de Mai” (Song of May), freely available at the International Harp Archives.

[EDIT – I have come to believe that in the arpeggio section that starts with the second to last page, the 2nd bar is missing a flat symbol in front of the Cs, and they are in fact played as B natural. Here’s an updated version with pedal markings].

Click here for my annotated copy with pedal markings, etc. (Keep in mind that I wrote these marks on my iPad, so somewhat sloppy – you may want to print out a clean copy from the Harp Archives and transfer my markings over instead).

While you’re here, consider signing up for my email newsletter – you’ll get a bunch of other free music! 🙂

Ep. 186 – What is musical phrasing?

A look at one of the most important part of music – phrasing, or the space between the notes! In this episode I analyze three different recordings of a bar from Chopin’s Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2 to try to make clear what I mean when I’m talking about phrasing.

This episode is a followup to a couple of recent blog posts about listening.
Part 1 https://www.joshlayne.com/blog/focused-listening-part-one/
Part 2 https://www.joshlayne.com/blog/listeningpart2/

Ep. 185 – Rolled Chord Drills

Play along with me as I do some rolled (broken) chord practice on the harp!

I’m using a metronome app called Pro Metronome (thanks to viewer Keven for his suggestion!) and its “practice mode” to very gradually speed up the pace. Link below, though note that practice mode is a paid upgrade. Do you have a favorite app that does something similar? Let me know in the comments!

Android link
Apple link

Ep. 184 – Learning “Down by the Salley Gardens” by ear

I thought I’d do something a little different today and try and teach (and learn myself!) a tune by ear. A beautiful Irish tune known by a number of different names – Down by the Salley Gardens (or Sally Gardens), Maids of Mourne Shore, The Foggy Dew, etc.

While it kind of defeats the purpose (of learning it by ear) if you’d like a free copy of the music with my fingerings, sign up for my newsletter

(Existing subscribers, email me and I’ll send you a copy!)

Ep. 183 – Problem solving – a look at ‘Alla Turca Jazz’

Here’s a look at 6 spots in “Alla Turca Jazz” where I ended up changing my fingering or otherwise problem solving in order to play it better!

Ekaterina Afanasieva’s excellent arrangement of Fazil Say’s “Alla Turca Jazz” is an irresistible piece to play (based on the iconic last movement from Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 11, K. 331).

The sheet music is available at https://en.schott-music.com/shop/alla-turca-jazz-no354991.html

Ep. 182 – How to teach Skype music lessons

I’ve been teaching harp lessons via Skype for almost 10 years and I love the convenience and the ability to work with people all over the world. I’ve been planning to do an episode at some point talking about how Skype/Zoom/Facetime lessons work and some of the differences between them and in-person lessons. Current events pushed this video to the front of my to-do list!

I hope that it contains at least some useful and helpful information for those of you just starting to teach or take music lessons online.

Ep. 181 – An easy Bach “Chorale” – phrasing and dynamics

An easy Bach “Chorale” gives me an opportunity to talk about phrasing and dynamics!

If you’d like the sheet music for this easy harp arrangement of “Erkenne mich, mein Hüter” from Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, just sign up for my email newsletter and I’ll send you a copy 🙂

Ep. 180 – 8 note chord progressions

A look at eight note (four notes per hand) chord progressions, using the opening of Naderman’s First Sonata as an example. (You can find the sheet at the harp archives).

Such a useful thing to automatically be able to do! Here are a few other Harp Tuesday episodes that touch on chords and chord progressions: https://www.harptuesday.com/category/chords/

Ep. 179 – Two exercises for playing syncopation and offbeats

Two exercises you can do with a metronome to work on playing syncopated and offbeat rhythms.

Ep. 178 – Composing a new piece

In this episode of Harp Tuesday you get a real-time look as I start a new composition.

I always have a bit of a soft spot for these real-time episodes, but primarily I think they’re useful for me, haha 🙂 Still, I hope you find this interesting and/or useful – comment if you end up watching the entire episode!

Ep. 177 – Learning new things – and why it can seem harder than it is!

The Governor in Our Brains and The Mountain… or the Jungle – why learning new things can seem hard. In this episode I talk about a couple of concepts that relate to learning things that are new to us. Hope you find this helpful, would love to hear from you in the comments!

Ep. 176 – A look at Salzedo’s “O Christmas Tree” variations

Carlos Salzedo’s “Concert Variations on O Tannenbaum” is one of my favorite carols to play – so much fun! I just published a music video of it and here’s a Harp Tuesday episode going over the variations and offer some thoughts and suggestions.

Ep. 175 – Playing a four finger chord – wrist and finger angle

Here’s a look at how to position your wrist and hand and how to close your fourth finger in order to play 4 finger chords cleanly and easily.

Ep. 174 – Carlos Salzedo’s Fantasy on a Catalan Carol (Fum, Fum, Fum)

This week’s episode is a look at Carlos Salzedo’s extremely fun to play “Short Fantasy on a Catalan Carol“. (Aka Fum, Fum, Fum).

A music video of the piece:

Ep. 173 – How to play Salzedo’s “Fraicheur”

Learn what all the different symbols and markings mean in Salzedo’s classic study of glissandi: “Fraicheur” 🙂

Ep. 172 – Figuring out lever changes for a Handel “Chaconne”

Join me as I attempt to adapt for lever harp this beautiful Chaconne from Handel’s Suite in D minor, HWV 448.

You can find the original sheet music I’m working from on IMSLP.

I was inspired to learn this Chaconne after watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh4i6acTgH4

Ep. 171 – From the archives – a look at Mozart’s Sonata No. 11 arr. for harp

I recently came across a transcription of Mozart’s Sonata No. 11 arranged for harp by a harpist called Alfred Kastner. He did an excellent job with it – join me as I take a look through the first movement in the 2nd in a series I’m calling “From the Archives” as I highlight sheet music from the harp archives.

If you’d like a copy of my current pedal and fingering markings (still a work in progress!) sign up for my email list and I’ll send you a copy (plus you get to stay up-to-date on what I’m doing).

Ep. 170 – Playing fast ornaments (featuring “The Nightingale”)

In this episode I talk about how choosing a fingering that focuses just on a fast ornament or section and then comes off, even if there are additional notes after the ornament, can be a useful approach. I use two sections from Deborah Henson-Conant’s “The Nightingale” to demonstrate what I mean.

Sheet music for “The Nightingale” can be found at DHC’s website https://www.hipharp.com/

Ep. 169 – How to record on location with an electric harp

Come along with me on an adventurous Harp Tuesday as I talk about what goes into recording on location with my small electric harp. Plus, two short improvisations! If you liked this style of video, let me know in the comments 🙂

Ep. 168 – How to play Rousseau’s Minuet in G minor

In this episode I take a look at a piece from Mildred Dilling’s collection “Thirty Little Classics for the Harp”. It’s a Minuet in G minor by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (yes, the philosopher). A beautiful, elegant tune that’s easy to play.

Ep. 167 – A metronome rant! :)

An ode to the design of a basic, no frills, metronome 🙂

Ep. 166 – Playing the harp without pain – a few thoughts

Some general, non-technique related thoughts on ways to stay pain-free while playing the harp. Please note: I am not a medical professional! 🙂

Ep. 165 – How to play “Petite Berceuse” by Hasselmans

A look at Alphonse Hasselman’s lovely “Petite Berceuse“. In the key of C and playable on a 25 string harp, the sheet music is in the public domain and can be found at archive.org – https://archive.org/details/petiteberceusepo00hass/page/2/mode/2up

Harpist in a Tree, episode 2, features me playing “Petite Berceuse” in a tree 🙂 Watch it at https://youtu.be/2hezgZDifyk

Ep. 164 – How to play with two hands at the same time (featuring Skye Boat Song)

Is playing a separate pattern in each hand a challenge for you? In this episode of Harp Tuesday I offer some ideas of how to coordinate playing with both hands at the same time, using as an example a small section from my arrangement of The Skye Boat Song.

You might also find this episode useful: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-110-coordinating-two-hands-contrary-motion-and-practicing/

My arrangement of The Skye Boat Song is available as a PDF at http://www.joshlayne.com/store/

Ep. 163 – Practicing lever changes from “To Zanarkand”

“To Zanarkand” is a beautiful melody by Nobuo Uematsu from the video game Final Fantasy X. I plan to record a music video of this sometime this summer and I still need to practice the lever changes towards the end of the piece – join me as I work on them!

Ep. 162 – Playing a smooth left hand pattern in Fauré’s Pavane

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I use the left hand pattern in Kim Robertson’s arrangement of Fauré’s Pavane to talk about three things to do to make an up and down left hand pattern sound as smooth and flowing as possible.

Kim Robertson’s Celtic Harp Solos is an excellent book. Your favourite harp music retailer will probably have a copy (or could obtain one for you). For example: https://gourd.com/robertsonbooks.html

It’s also available as a PDF download: https://harpcolumn.com/music/all-music/artists/kim-robertson/celtic-harp-solos/

Ep. 161 – Relax! Staying relaxed while playing the harp

Relaxation is so important when playing any instrument – both for speed and to remain injury and pain free. Making sure your fingers don’t stay clenched into the palm when they aren’t playing is one key to staying relaxed. In this episode I talk about how to achieve that (including using a rubber band as an aid!) and demonstrate how it looks.

Ep. 160 – How to analyze music and find patterns (featuring “Primavera”)

Finding patterns in music is such a powerful tool! In this episode I analyze a section from Einaudi’s “Primavera” as an example. Whether you want to memorize a piece or just improve your fluency while playing from sheet music, looking for and finding patterns will serve you well 🙂

Ep. 159 – Polyrhythm – playing 3 against 4

A quick look at how to play a 3 against 4 rhythm. I did a similar episode on 2 against 3, using Debussy’s First Arabesque as an example: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-124-playing-2-vs-3-rhythms-in-debussys-1st-arabesque/

Ep. 158 – What Key Am I In?? (Music theory)

A bunch of sharps or flats in the key signature at the start of a piece? Here’s how to figure out what key you’re in! 🙂

I have several episodes on chords that might also be useful:

Ep. 34: Chord basics

https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-122-fundamental-exercises-on-the-harp-chord-progressions/

Ep. 157 – From the Harp Archives – “The Last Rose of Summer”

Here’s the start of a new type of video: From the Harp Archives. A quick look/read through of a piece of public domain music that I feel is worth highlighting. In this case, it’s Felix Godefroid’s beautiful setting of “The Last Rose of Summer”

You can view and download the sheet music at https://archive.org/details/ladernirerosedtm00gode/page/2

And the Harp Archives in general can be found at https://archive.org/details/byuinternationalharparchive

Like this idea of “From the Harp Archives”? Let me know in the comments!

Ep. 156 – Musing on fingerings

A bit of a ramble about fingerings! When can we and can we not trust our hands to tell us when a fingering is bad or good?

As promised, here’s the link to Hasselman’s “Petite Berceuse“ at the harp archives.

Ep. 155 – Non-standard harmonics (extended technique)

Normally, when we play a harmonic on the harp it sounds an octave higher.

But it’s possible to play harmonics that sound an octave and a 5th higher, or 2 octaves, or 2 octaves+ 3rd, 2 octaves+ 5th, etc.

In this episode I demonstrate a technique I worked on recently to facilitate these extended harmonics that’s different from the way we normally play harmonics. Hope you enjoy 🙂 Would love to hear from you if you use an unusual physical approach when playing harmonics!

Ep. 154 – Arranging “Skye Boat Song” part 3

The final episode of my look at arranging the Skye Boat Song:

And here’s the music video:

Ep. 153 – Using a felt pick for glisses

Need to play a bunch of glisses and want to save your fingers? A hard felt pick might be just what you need 🙂 In this short episode of Harp Tuesday I demonstrate what a glissando with a pick sounds like.

I’m using these Ukulele picks from Amazon – 3 for $3: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005A09I7Q/ (not an affiliate link) but I believe any hard felt guitar or ukulele pick should work!

Ep. 152 – Half Page Turns with forScore on the iPad

I’ve found half page turns to be a super useful thing when working with an iPad and digital sheet music. It helps allow you to do both pedal changes and bluetooth foot pedal page turns, as well as reading “across” the page when practicing.

I’m using the forScore app for iOS – I highly recommend it as a way to view and manage sheet music on an iPad. https://forscore.co/

I did a longer episode talking about my experience using an iPad in place of paper music: https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-113-sheet-music-on-tablets-forscoreipad/

Ep. 149 – 151 in-depth look at Scheherazade on the lever harp (3 parts)

A look at Barbara Brundage’s wonderful arrangement of Themes from Scheherazade for lever harp.

You can buy it at https://www.harpcenter.com/product/pdf-download-brundage-class2-scheherazade/ or as part of Barbara Brundage’s collection “Classics on Request #2” https://www.harpcenter.com/product/pdf-download-brundage-class2-scheherazade/

I highly recommend listening to the full orchestral original. Here’s a link that shows the score as it plays: (We hear the violin solo+harp chords “Scheherazade” theme for the first time at 0:52 )

Hope you enjoy! Thanks to one of my patrons for the suggestion – I wasn’t aware of this arrangement and it’s beautiful and a lot of fun to play 🙂 You, too, can become my patron and support Harp Tuesday at https://www.patreon.com/joshlayne

Ep. 148 – How to improvise on the harp: two suggestions

Happy 2019 everyone! I’m busy finishing my annual New Year’s Improv video, and I thought what better subject for today’s Harp Tuesday episode than a look at improvisation. I offer two concrete ideas to spark your creativity and get you improvising in 2019 🙂

Ep. 147 – How to play the “Little Fountain” downwards arpeggios

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about ways to practice playing fast downward arpeggios – using Samuel Pratt’s classical “The Little Fountain” as my example!

And I did a Slow Motion Monday episode from a different angle:

Ep. 146 – Learn “Oh Come Emmanuel” on the harp

In this episode I show how to learn an easy version of Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel / Veni, Veni Emmanuel. Find the free sheet music at http://www.joshlayne.com/emmanuel

Ep. 145 – Learn “Deck the Halls” on the harp

In this episode I talk about how to learn an easy arrangement I did of “Deck the Halls” (AKA Deck the Hall or Nos Galan).

Find the free sheet music at http://www.joshlayne.com/deckthehalls

Ep. 144 – How to play the opening of Handel’s Passacaille on the Harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I look at how to play/finger the opening of Handel’s “Passacaille” (as transcribed by Tiny Béon).

The Passacaille is the last movement from Handel’s Suite in G minor, HWV 432

I talk quite a bit about finger independence throughout this episode – check out Harp Tuesday ep. 23

Ep. 143 – Avoiding buzzing in Debussy’s “Arabesque”

I’m home from my fall 2018 European tour and ready to get back into recording Harp Tuesday episodes! Here’s a look at a short section from Debussy’s 1st Arabesque that features two different places where you have to be very careful to avoid buzzing!

Ep. 142 – Playing a fast 123 pattern from Lapkon’s Spinning Wheel

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a look at a fun pattern from Lauren Scott’s interesting new book, Adventures for Lever Harp

Ep. 141 – Problem solving with “The Moldau”

Hans Trneček’s transcription of Smetana’s “The Moldau” is one of my absolute favourite pieces to play. In this episode I look at the last 3 lines and talk about problem solving and how sometimes we can come up with a better way to play something!

Ep. 140 – My new harp – one year in!

A year ago I bought a beautiful new Camac “Excalibur”. I did a video talking about it when I first got it and I thought it would be fun to do something a year later (spoiler alert, I’m still in love 🙂

Ep 139 – How to change 5th Octave guts strings

For more on changing strings, check out episode 10.

Ep 138 – Problem solving on the harp with Debussy’s Prelude

In this episode I talk about problem solving as I try to make a section easier at the end of Debussy’s “Prelude” (from his Suite Bergamasque).

Ep 137 Composing for the harp – pedal markings and pedal charts

In this composer-centric episode I talk about pedal change, pedal markings, and pedal charts. As a composer, should you include these in your scores/parts? Answer – it depends 🙂

Hopefully helpful and interesting to composers and non-composers alike! Questions? Email me at info@joshlayne.com

I use my arrangement of Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as one of my examples – find the sheet music here.

Ep 136 Arranging “Skye Boat Song” part 2

Here’s part 2 of my process of arranging the Skype Boat Song. Was inspired to do this from remembering my Arranging Greensleeves Project and thought the time was right to do something like that again! I’ll be arranging the Skye Boat Song over several episodes, watch part 1 here.

Ep 135 Open octave/muffle refresher course

A quick look at left hand muffling with open octaves. Also check out Episode 24.

Ep 134 Adapting Tournier’s “Noel” for lever harp

A real-time look at adapting for lever harp the first of six “Noels” by Marcel Tournier. Tournier wrote these for pedal harp, and there’s a certain amount of modulation going on in this Noel. Still, having played through it a couple times I’m hopeful that I can adapt it for lever harp – join me for the journey and lets see if it works out! 🙂

Ep 133 How to play Barbara Allen on the harp (patterns and shapes!)

Ep 132 Learning Labarre’s “Caprice”

My music video of “Caprice”

Slow Motion Monday video:

I fell in love with this song many years ago listening to a Zabaleta recording. Couldn’t find the sheet music at the time, but was thrilled to finally track it down a few years ago online at the harp archives

Labarre’s “Caprice” (as recorded by Zabaleta) is No. 7 from his “Grande étude pour la harpe : composée de huit caprices : op. 30”

All 8 etudes can be found here: https://archive.org/details/grandetudepour00laba

You can sign up to my email newsletter to get access to my fingerings and pedal markings – (existing subscribers can follow this link as well)

The Harp Archives are a tremendous resources: https://archive.org/details/byuinternationalharparchive

Ep 131 How often do harp strings break? Do I need a replacement set?

Ep 130 – Turn your harp into a guitar – strumming techniques

I did a follow up Slow Motion Monday video:

Ep 129 How to play fast – Salzedo’s Seguidilla

In this episode I take a look at Carlos Salzedo’s “Seguidilla” from his suite of eight dances. I give some tips on it in general, and then talk about playing fast and offer some ideas and ways to work on speed.

I also made a version of this episode which shows the sheet music onscreen as I talk about it, though the video quality is worse overall. You can watch it below:

Ep 128 Arranging “Skye Boat Song” part 1

I’ll be arranging the Skye Boat Song over several episodes, starting with this real time look today. Hope you enjoy!

Ep 127 practical tips on tuning your harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I offer a few practical tips on tuning your harp. For some additional information on tuning, see Harp Tuesday ep. 5

Ep 126 How to regulate your harp

Some useful links:

Dusty strings:
https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/harps/accessories-hardware/tools-maintenance
https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/blog/sharping-levers-camac-vs-loveland

Thormahlen Harps:
http://www.thorharp.com/pages/regulatingcamaclevers.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRcLPupXuIc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFKYjmmjzvM

Great set of articles about all sort of harp maintenance by Mike Lewis, here’s the link to the article on regulation:
http://www.harptech.com/Articles/Regulation/Regulation.html

Rees levers:
https://reesharps.com/regulating-rees-harp-levers/

Loveland levers (via musicmakers): https://www.harpkit.com/mm5/pdf/Instructions/Lever-1Regulation.pdf

Ep 125 How to play lever harp in an orchestra

In this viewer requested episode I offer some tips and tricks to playing orchestral harp parts, written for the pedal harp, on a lever harp.

I do this by going over the harp part to Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol. You can download the sheet music and follow along.

Ep. 124 Playing 2 vs 3 rhythms in Debussy’s 1st Arabesque

In this episode I look at how to play the polyrhythm of 2 against 3 using examples from Debussy’s First Arabesque.

You can find Renie’s transcription of the Arabesque at IMSLP – http://imslp.org/wiki/2_Arabesques_(Debussy%2C_Claude) (Look for the “Arrangements and Transcriptions” tab).

Ep. 123 Looking at the Butterfly jig

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I use the Irish slip jig The Butterfly as a starting point to talk about fingering and technique. Music for the Butterfly and 1000s of other traditional tunes can be found at https://thesession.org/tunes

Ep. 122 Fundamental exercises on the harp – chord progressions

In this episode oI talk about chord progressions and working on the ability to automatically go up and down a chord sequence (root, 1st inversion, 2nd inversion). As a companion to this episode you might find these two episodes helpful:

https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-34-chord-basics/
https://www.harptuesday.com/ep-71-chordjumping-exercise/

Ep. 121 Fundamental exercises on the harp – 4 finger exercise

In this episode I talk about how to play a 4,3,2,1,2,3,4,3,2,1 pattern – a great basic exercise and good workout for the fingers!

Ep. 120 “Alfonso el Sabio” from Kim Robertson’s “Celtic Harp Solos”

In this first episode I take a look at a beautiful piece called Alfonso XII el Sabio (13th century Spain) from Kim Robertson’s sheet music book “Celtic Harp Solos . (I wonder if in fact it’s music associated with Alfonso X el Sabio).

EDIT – Thanks to Therese Honey in the YouTube comments – it is indeed from Alfonso X “Cantigas de Santa Maria” This is number 166 “Como póden per sas culpas”. Check out this site which has sheet music for the entire set of songs: http://www.cantigasdesantamaria.com/csm/166#music/r

With a rather hypnotic tune and great rhythms this is a very fun piece to play!

(Celtic Harp Solos is an excellent book. Your favourite harp music retailer will probably have a copy (or could obtain one for you). It also appears to be available as a PDF download. For example:

https://gourd.com/robertsonbooks.html

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/kim-robertson-celtic-harp-solos-digital-sheet-music/19899385

And check out Kim Robertson’s website.

Ep. 119 Software – the gear behind Harp Tuesday part 3

In this episode I complete my look at the gear I use to create Harp Tuesday and music videos, etc.

This episode looks at some of the software I use.

Here’s a list of not only the software I talk about in the episode, but also other tools I’ve used:

Reaper. Fantastic audio editor that also functions as a pretty good video editor. Just recently discovered that it has more video editing capabilities than I was aware of and I’m super happy about that! I love it as an audio editing program and am now using it as my main video editing program. These two videos were both created in Reaper, for example:

Try out the complete program for free for 60 days, and it’s just $60 for a personal license. Highly recommended!

The rest of these programs are either free or have a free version:

Open Broadcast Software (OBS). Steaming/capture software that lets you record your screen if you want to display sheet music + video, for example (such as this episode):

Of course, you can also use it for livestreams!

Lightworks. Professional quality video editor. Free (basic) version only lets you export at a max of 1280 x 720. Steep learning curve and not particularly intuitive, but very powerful.

Since it’s free, potentially worth checking out. I have used it for various music videos over the years:

DaVinci Resolve. There is a free version available (scroll to bottom). I’ve played around with it a tiny bit, but wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle the learning curve given that I all ready know how to use Lightworks (to some extent!) and now I’m very happy with Reaper. Still, if I end up wanting to do some greenscreen videos, for example, I may revisit Resolve.

Handbrake. Open source (free) video conversion tool, can be handy to have around.

VirtualDub. Free tool for encoding/some editing.

FFmpeg library – many other programs make use of this library, can also access it from the command prompt.

Ep. 117 & 118 “Soupir” on lever harp

In episode 117 I demonstrate how to play Marcel Tournier’s beautiful composition Soupir on the lever harp. Written for the pedal harp, it works very well on the lever harp as well! Download my adaption for free. (Want to play this on the pedal harp? The sheet music I used, sans my notation, can be found at archive.org)

(Note that in the video I’d forgotten to circle the low Gb at the end to indicate it’s to be played as an enharmonic (F#). The PDF link has above has the correct notation).

In episode 118 you get a look at me learning Soupir as I try to get it in shape to record it:

Ep. 116 Recording Equipment – the gear behind Harp Tuesday part 2

In this second of three Harp Tuesday episodes I talk about the gear I use to create Harp Tuesday videos and offer some thoughts and suggestions for those looking to record their own videos.

This episode is about recording equipment. I use a Royer SF12 ribbon mic and an AEA “TRP” preamp for most of my recordings. I also have a Zoom H5 for easy on location recording.

Ep. 115 Cameras – the gear behind Harp Tuesday part 1

In this first of three Harp Tuesday episodes I talk about the gear I use to create Harp Tuesday videos and offer some thoughts and suggestions for those looking to record their own videos.

This episode is about cameras. I currently record with a Canon T4i and Canon 18-135 STM lens. The Canon Rebel/Ti series are solid cameras, with the ability to connect a mic via a 3.5 mm input and an articulating screen, both essential features as far as I’m concerned. I’m currently eyeing the Panasonic GH5…

Ep. 114 A new Harp + improv!

In this special episode of Harp Tuesday I’m very excited to show off my new Excalibur lever harp! (Made by Camac Harps and purchased from the Virginia Harp Center). It’s a super fun harp to play – I do some live improv to give you a chance to hear how it sounds!

Will be doing a lot more videos featuring this harp on locations around beautiful Victoria, BC.

The Virginia Harp Center can be found at https://www.vaharpcenter.com/

Camac Harps: https://www.camac-harps.com

Ep. 113 Sheet music on tablets (forScore/iPad)

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about my experience using the forScore app on an iPad air in place of physical sheet music. (I’ve found it very useful).

ForScore

The Donner foot pedal I’m using

I mentioned three places to find free, public domain music online:

The International Harp Archives at Brigham Young University

IMSLP

And for traditional music – The Session

Ep. 112 Looper pedals! Exploring electric harps part 2

In this episode I continue my look at electric harps (playing a “Firefly 2” electric harp I bought last year from Wickford Harps / Dick Ranlet http://wickharps.blogspot.ca/) with a focus on looper pedals and some of the things you can do with a looper pedal!

Ep. 111 Exploring electric harps part 1

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about and demonstrate the “Firefly 2” electric harp I bought last year from Wickford Harps / Dick Ranlet as well as talk about electric harps in general.

I will be doing a follow-up episode demonstrating using a looper pedal – if you have any questions you’d like answered let me know!

Video where Dick Ranlet demonstrates his two part harp system –

Ep. 110 Coordinating two hands, contrary motion, and practicing

In this episode I take a look at a contrary motion exercise you could use to practice coordinating two hands at once. But the practice principle I talk about can be applied to anything you’re working on!

Ep. 109 “Pistachio” by Bernard Andres

“Pistache” (Pistachio) is one of a collection of pieces by Bernard Andres called “Epices” (Spices) where every pieces is based on a spice (Paprika, Cinnamon, Vanilla, etc.)

Pistache is probably my favourite from book one of the collection, and in this episode I take a look at it. Pistache has a bunch of cool effect/extended techniques, some fun rhythm stuff, and is just overall a blast to play 🙂

Ep. 108 Pedal slides

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a look at pedal slides, an extended technique for harp that takes advantage of the sound created when we change the pedal of a still vibrating string. Two of the pieces that I talk about are Salzedo’s “La Desirade” and Andre Caplet’s 2nd Divertissement “a l’espagnole“.

Ep. 106-107 An in-depth look at Songs of Nymphs by Marjan Mozetich

A two part look at Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich’s beautiful harp solo “Songs of Nymphs“. Written for Erica Goodman in 1988 with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council, Songs of Nymphs is made up of four songs, or movements:

Prelude
Reflection
Ritual
Freedom

I love playing this work, and recorded it in 2001 on my CD Masterworks for Harp

Here are videos from two of my performances of Songs of Nymphs:

You can buy the sheet music at https://www.musiccentre.ca/node/13668 Also check out http://www.mozetich.com/

Ep. 100! A guide to buying a harp

Welcome to the 100th episode of Harp Tuesday! 100 is a big number and I feel proud to have reached it! 🙂 Thanks to all of you who watch and comments on my videos – you’re the reason I’ve made it to #100!

In this episode I offer some thoughts and advice on buying a harp, with an emphasis on advice for someone looking to buy their very first harp.

I hope this is helpful, and thanks for watching!

The complete episode is below, but I also split this episode into individual sections if there’s something specific you’re interested in.

1. Introduction https://youtu.be/lY2PVTGFb-A
2. General advice/synopsis https://youtu.be/znZ6D3Pyss0
3. Three categories of harps https://youtu.be/IINfg-emaQo
4. Celtic harps – how many strings? https://youtu.be/8m-vBBdJY7c
5. Celtic harps – do I need levers? https://youtu.be/OrqoGgxEc8I
6. Build quality and ergonomics https://youtu.be/JcdPXdPgG6k
7. Sound quality https://youtu.be/Q_hj0a-OvRQ
8. Strings – gut or nylon? https://youtu.be/P1xQUAT1mDw
9. Pedal harps https://youtu.be/9tz-M-EvqCQ
10. Other type of harps https://youtu.be/S87aHF79BiE

Ep. 99, 101-105 A look at Fantasy on Greensleeves for lever harp Part 1

In this six part series I take a look at my Fantasy on Greensleeves, the lever harp version. Be sure to check out my Arranging Greensleeves project page for more info, or to buy the sheet music!

Intro and theme:

Practice tips/Variation 1

Variation 2

Lever changes, Rhythm, and more – variation 3

Bridge and Variation 4

Ending and tremolos

Ep. 98 A look at Anne Vanschothorst’s “I Feel Different”

“I feel different” is one of my favourite compositions by Dutch harpist/composer Anne Vanschothorst. It felt like a great subject for my return to Harp Tuesday after a long break due to my European trip, etc.

Feels great to be back, and on almost exactly the five year anniversary of the very first Harp Tuesday episode!

Hope you enjoy – I’ll be doing a couple follow up Slow Motion Monday videos from this piece – look for that next week.

Check out Anne’s music at http://www.harpandsoul.com/ and buy her music books here: http://www.harpandsoul.com/#!shop/c1c9t

And of course check out her YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/annevans…

Ep. 97 a look at the Rondo from Bochsa’s “Air and Rondo”

In this special edition of Harp Tuesday from the Zagreb Harp Centre in Croatia (http://zagrebharpfestival.com) I take a look at the “Rondo” from Bochsa’s “Air and Rondo” – the first piece in Samuel Milligan’s “Medieval to Modern volume 2”.

Last episode I talked about the Air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo8Nf…

Was wonderful to record surrounded by all these amazing Camac harps (http://www.camac-harps.com/)

Ep. 96 Bochsa’s “Air” from “Air and Rondo”

In this special edition of Harp Tuesday from the Zagreb Harp Centre in Croatia (http://zagrebharpfestival.com) I take a look at the “Air” from Bochsa’s “Air and Rondo” – the first piece in Samuel Milligan’s “Medieval to Modern volume 2”.

Next episode will look at the “Rondo” 🙂

Was wonderful to record surrounded by all these amazing Camac harps (http://www.camac-harps.com/)

Ep. 95 Looking at Prokofiev’s Prelude in C, Op12, No. 7

In this edition of Harp Tuesday I take a look at Prokofiev’s wonderful Prelude in C, Op. 12, No. 7.

I played this as part of a my livestream concert on August 2nd (2015).

IMSLP has the preludes, though depending on where you live they may or may not be public domain.

In 1997 I recorded the Prelude on my CD “An Afternoon of Harp Music“

Ep. 94 Playing unbroken chords

We so often play chords with a break/roll, even if it’s very slight. It’s good to be able to play chords with every note sounding at the exact same time – here I offer a few thoughts on hand position and finger action when playing 4 finger solid chords.

Here’s a “Slow Motion Monday” video of me playing chords:

Ep. 93 The Triple Harp with special guest Robin Ward

In a first ever for Harp Tuesday, this episode features a guest – harpist and harp maker Robin Ward. I met with Robin backstage after a performance at the Rio Harp Festival and he talks about and demonstrates on the triple harp!

Check out Robin’s website and his YouTube channel

Thanks Robin!

Ep. 92 Learning “En Roulant” on the lever harp

I talk about learning En Roulant from Betty Paret’s First Harp Book.

Among other things I discuss counting/clapping a 6/8 rhythm and looking for patterns when learning a new piece!

Ep. 91 Experimenting with phrasing in Grandjany’s “Rhapsodie”

In this episode I look at a very small section from Marcel Grandjany’s composition “Rhapsodie” and talk about and play around with different ways of phrasing it.

In many ways what it boils down to is first figuring out how you want it to sound (in your head) and then working on being able to play it that way on your instrument…

Ep. 90 Slow motion scales and more!

In this episode I have fun slowing down three short clips. To start is a look at a right hand scale, followed by the last page of Grandjany’s “Rhapsody”, and finally a short section from Anne Vanschothorst’s “A Bird Came Flying”

Ep. 87-89 Ribambelle #1, 2, and 8 by Bernard Andrès

Harpist and composer Bernard Andrès has written a lot of music for harp, here in these episodes I look at three pieces from his book Ribambelle – a set of 10 short works for lever or pedal harp

Ep. 83-86 A look at Handel’s “Harp Concerto”

In these episodes I give an in-depth look at Handel’s Concerto for Harp, including Grandjany’s extended cadenza.

I learned and play the Grandjany edition, but you can find the original on IMSLP

One of the very first videos I ever uploaded on YouTube was the Grandjany Cadenza:

And here are two performances of the entire concerto:

Ep. 82 Playing an “Alberti Bass” pattern on the harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a close up look at playing a left hand pattern often referred to as an “Alberti Bass”. (For example, C, G, E, G, C, G, E, G, etc.)

Ep. 81 Playing with other people

From orchestral playing to harp ensembles to duets, playing with other people is a lot of fun! In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about two aspects of playing with others and give some specific exercises you can practice on your own.

Ep. 80 How to read music part 2 – Rhythm!

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I finally (!) finish my look at how to read music. In December of 2010, for my fifth episode of Harp Tuesday, I talked about how to decipher notes on the printed page and translate them into which strings to play on the harp… In this episode I talk about the other aspect of written music – Rhythm!

This was a tricky episode to put together, and I’m still not sure how much sense it makes, but if you’re trying to learn to read music hopefully this will help!

You can download the PDF sheet showing what shapes equal what note durations (Whole note, half note, etc.) here.

Ep. 79 Coordinating two hands while playing the harp

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about some ways to try and make playing with both hands at the same time feel easier…

Ep. 74 – 78 Looking at “Variations on a theme by Mozart” (or is it?) Dalvimare variations

In these episodes of Harp Tuesday I look at a piece that I learned as “Variations sur un theme de Mozart”, playable on the Celtic harp and edited by Odette le Dentu. However, it turns out it may have nothing to do with Mozart! Thanks to a youtube comment I found the original on IMSLP – it’s the first of 4 Airs and variations by French composer Martin Dalvimare.

You can find the score and play along at IMSLP

Opening theme and first variation

Variation 3

Variation 4

Variation 2

Variations 5 and 6

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Ep. 73 A look at Godefroid’s “La Danse des Sylphes”

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I take a quick look at the end of Felix Godefroid’s “La Danse des Sylphes”

A very fun piece to play 🙂

You can watch the last couple minutes in a video I just recorded:

Or a live performance of the entire piece from 2007:

I also recorded it in my 1997 CD “An Afternoon of Harp Music”

If you’re interested in learning the piece it appears to be available on archive.org

Ep. 72 Mozart’s Sonata No. 11 on the Harp

A look at my arrangement of Mozart’s Sonata No. 11.
Click one of the links below to download the free PDF!
In A Major (original key)
In C Major
In F Major

Public domain editions of the original and complete Mozart sonata can be found at Mutopia and IMSLP – you might enjoy exploring the rest of the Sonata!

Ep. 71 Chord/jumping exercise

A chord/jumping exercise! Download the free PDF here!

Ep. 70 Accompanying and improvising

In this episode of Harp Tuesday I talk about creating simple accompaniment patterns for the left hand based on chords, and offer some ideas on improv. Both draw heavily from a firm knowledge of chord structure – I did an episode on chords that might prove useful.

I use Auld Lang Syne as the demonstration piece for this episode. I’m reading from a handwritten lead sheet (chord symbols + right hand tune). Download the PDF here.

The section on improvisation starts at 10:22

Note that since this episode I’ve been doing more and more free improvisation – here are a couple shorter improvs and an improv concert: