A revised collection of jewish melodies from around the mediterranean and celtic music from the british isles, woven together to celebrate the unique role harp has played in folklore and music from both traditions. At stoney end, were dedicated to our beautiful handmade insturments, exceptional service, and a truely unique experience. Traditionally the diatonic row runs from the right as seen by someone sitting at the harp side of the neck to the left side of the sound board. Some harps, rather than using pedal or lever devices, achieve chromaticity by simply adding additional strings to cover the notes outside their diatonic home scale. It includes instructions on reading music, harp technique, and many songs both simple and more complex. Ive been working my way through the crossstrung harp method by john metras. The 61 string harp is larger, about 60 inches tall. The set which runs from the lower left to the upper right. The harp newbies series includes three books for each level that when used together, will help those who are new to harp develop skills in music reading, technique, and music theory. For example, jazz can be played on a pedal or cross strung harp. List of notable celtic harp instrument players photograph of patrick byrne from 1845 source. The worlds 90 most recognizable folk, gospel, blues, patriotic, childrens and holiday songs tabbed and played in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 12th positions. Triple strung harps 1700 ad triplestrung harps first appeared in italy in the late 16th or early 17th century.
Some may choose cross strung, double strung, or even triple strung harp if they like to play more unusual music. It was written by sylvia woods the 1980 all ireland harp champion. While accidentals are played on the pedal harp via the pedals and on the lever harp with levers, the crossstrung harp features two rows so that each of the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale has its own string. For example, jazz can be played on a pedal or crossstrung harp. Unlike the contemporary doublestrung harp see article by laurie riley, each set of strings on the crossstrung harp has its own tuning. Double strung harp tutorial 37 therapy techniques duration.
The two sets of strings cross in the center, allowing the full chromatic range to be played with. Verlene schermer has several great books for the cross strung chromatic harp as well. We strive to make quality harps attainable for musicians everywhere. Lady kellys therapy harp 57 chromatic nylon strung 3 octave lap harp. The range of this harp is to low c, two octaves below middle c. Cross strung harps phosphor bronze wire strung harps lord boreas harp 57 chromatic stringing phosphor bronze wire strung lap harp w removable legs nylon strung harps lady kellys therapy harp 57 chromatic stringing nylon strung lap harp w removable legs brother benjamines harp brother bens wholetone harp 57 chromatic stringing 66.
The essential chromatic nature of the crossstrung harp make it for playing classical music. This fully chromatic harp has one row of strings bearing the natural notes and another row bearing the flat and sharp notes. Intended for newcomers to the wire strung harp, or any harp that is longringing. Mulling a blevins crossstrung harp anyone out there. Any method book is at its most effective when used in conjunction with lessons. Books, cds, and dvds by laurie riley laurie riley music. The set which runs from the lower left to the upper right 8. Level 1, or have some familiarity with playing the harp already. For more information on that visit this page about crossstrung harps. Mulling a blevins crossstrung harp anyone out there with. The harp played by the gaels of scotland and ireland between the 11th and 19th centuries was certainly wirestrung. Earbrass is a hammerheaded writer with a beak for a nose and shellshocked eyes. Most pop music can be played on any type, but for rock and blues, you may want an electric.
This book, meticulously crafted by beth kolle and laurie riley, is filled with short exercises and excellent descriptions and drawings. We make every stoney end harp in our convertedbarn workshop in red wing, minnesota. A wire cross strung chromatic harp played concerts of j. The cross strung harp consists of one row of diatonically tuned strings and another row of chromatic notes. Easier to hold ergonomically than other small harps. This method is designed to fulfill the needs of anyone wishing to switch from a traditional lever or. I am currently building electric cross strung harps in two sizes. Teach yourself to play the folk harp a perfect tutorial for the beginner. According to ben brown, a teacher and performer of this instrument see. Mar 10, 2014 ive been working my way through the crossstrung harp method by john metras. Comparing the cross strung harp to the ordinary diatonic harp is a bit like saying that a piano with white keys only would be easier to play. Harp newbies lesson book, level 1 schermer, verlene. The lap harp series is written for a 1920string or larger harp lowest note is g. The lesson book, the tune book, and the activity book.
However, for those who may have a hard time finding a teacher, ive tried to include notes as to which books are more helpful for those trying to learn on their own. The goal in the book was to achieve a balance of needed technical studies in all keys with. Clement, a bilingual frenchenglish luthier in canada, created a compendium of crossstrung materials in his book xharps. Laura teaches private lessons for children and adults at her studio and at the university of oregon. Brother benjamines harp 57 chromatic nylon strung 312 octave lap harp. Earbrass ponders, writes, publishes, talks about, and runs away from his new novel. I had a string break right away and was very disappointed as ive been playing harp over 20 years and the quality of these strings is very poor for the price. A total of 6 instruments completed so far also includes one paraguayan harp, two double strung lap harps and some wirestrung lap harps. The harp in this picture is a triplett celtic model, with 34 strings in a single row and levers on each string. This harp has the tight spacing of the ancient harps 32 strings spread over 18 inches, which will require the player to use the nail technique to play.
Cross strung harps have two sets of strings, one attached to each side of the neck of the harp, with the rows of strings intersect between the neck and the sound box like an x. A crossstrung harp believed to have been built by john thomas appeared for repair at the workshop of california luthier roland robbie robinson in the early 1980s. The book starts off with detailed notes and clear pictures of. My double strung harps can be as complex in shape and style, as my other harps. New age, celtic, folk, and early music, such as medieval and renaissance, can be played well on a celtic harp. Best known for his innovative work with the small harp, the cross strung harp, and the renaissance bray harp, he delights and inspires concert and festival audiences, harp players, and harp builders. Crossstrung esabelle22 37 strings total the esabelle crossstrung harp is a fully chromatic lap harp. Includes tuning tool and set of nylon stringsfeatures. Even though this book assumes the reader is a beginner, it does not cover notereading.
The cross strung harp or chromatic double harp is a multicourse harp that has two rows of strings which intersect without touching. Chrombuilders stealtharp available after summer 2018 a 66 chromatic model. Small harps are harder to hold than a floor harp which is stable on the floor and just tips back lightly on the shoulder. Kudos to harper for tackling this muchneeded method book, which will make lots of struggling cross strung players very happy. This tune book has two other titles recommended to build skills. Brother benjamines harp 57 chromatic nylon strung 312.
The 49 string harp is 40 inches tall, very similar in size to my standard 31 string electric lever harp. In the usa, ben brown teaches this instrument has produced a booklet called. Also includes fully fingered performancequality music in. Jun 05, 2017 detail of my crossstrung chromatic harp. Chromatic crossstrung harp 66 made by henrik schupp, hamburg. These harps have two rows of strings arranged at angles that allow them to cross over one another. Unlike a single string band harp lever,pedal or wire strung youll have to get comfortable with hand independence. Featuring 38 dupont hard nylon strings, a range from c below middle c to high c, 3 octave cross strung harp, no sharpening levers, solid rosewood frame and a plywood soundboard for exceptional sound and strength. The harp newbies series includes three books for each level to develop skills in music reading, technique, and theory. These strings cross approximately in the middle of the string without touching. Verlene teaches lever harp also known as celtic or folk harp.
The playing technique for the cross strung chromatic harp involves a distinct approach and attitude. A tuning tool and an extra string set are included. Stepping away from music theory and technique, turning to the level of cultural currency, cross harp has deep connections with blues, gospel, and country music. Dec 05, 2012 so, if i wanted to play amazing grace in d, i could just set the levers to play in d, and play it as on a non cross harp, but if i wanted to play the entertainer, i could play it in any key, without having to be flipping levers midsong, just by playing cross strung style. Relative strengths and weaknesses of crossstrung harps. This book is now available as individual selections each with article and. The contemporary crossstrung harp has two sets of strings, one attached to each side of the neck of the harp, and the rows of strings intersect between the neck and the soundbox like an x.
Crossstrung harps have two sets of strings, one attached to each side of the neck of the harp, with the rows of strings intersect between the neck and the sound box like an x. But your choice should really depend on the type of music you want to play. The following items will also be included with your harp. It is built of cherry wood with a spruce sound board. Also includes fully fingered performancequality music in key signatures. Jan 22, 2011 cross strung harps phosphor bronze wire strung harps lord boreas harp 57 chromatic stringing phosphor bronze wire strung lap harp w removable legs nylon strung harps lady kellys therapy harp 57 chromatic stringing nylon strung lap harp w removable legs brother benjamines harp brother bens wholetone harp 57 chromatic stringing 66 chromatic wholetone stringing nylon strung lap harp. The tune book, level 1, sku 80449, and the activities book, level 1. The welsh triple harp is one such instrument, and two other instruments employing this technique are the crossstrung harp and the inline chromatic harp. So, yes, a cross strung harp is chromatic so is a fullylevered single. The book starts off with detailed notes and clear pictures of several different hand positions. A cross strung harp believed to have been built by john thomas appeared for repair at the workshop of california luthier roland robbie robinson in the early 1980s. His 2007 cd paths crossing is performed entirely on the cross strung harp and guitar transitions a 2015 recording of popular music on the classical.
Llc argent fox kortier cross strung harp with the collaboration of vanessa. The harp on the right is a oneofakind cross strung harp. The contemporary cross strung harp was born from a series of chance encounters half a world away, fueled by the curiosity and determination of a very few individuals. Some may choose crossstrung, doublestrung, or even triple. Cross strung and double strung harps stoney end harps. I cant even use the lowest c string as it is 2 inches 2 short to even be strung into my harp. Kudos to harper for tackling this much needed method book, which. An illustrated introduction to crossstrung technique, fully fingered exercises in 26 keys, chromatic and wholetone scales and chords, suggestions for repertoire, and additional resources. History, playing technique, music and construction of the cross strung chromatic harp coauthored with hannelore dev. The irishmaedoc book shrine dates from the 11th century, and clearly shows a harper with a triangular framed harp including a tsection in the pillar or lamhchrann in irish indicating the bracing that would have been required. The contemporary crossstrung harp was born from a series of chance encounters half a world away, fueled by the curiosity and determination of a very few individuals.
It contains sections on harp basics, types of harps, ways to approach the harp, buying a harp, tuning, caring for the harp, some basic theory, chords, improvisation, and singing with the harp many of which arent covered in your standard method book, which tends to focus on technique, exercises and graded repertoire. His 2007 cd paths crossing is performed entirely on the crossstrung harp and guitar transitions a 2015 recording of popular music on the classical. The color strings are precut, abs some are very tight barely able to be strung. In this video, you will explore the basic principles and techniques to get you started. People who perform at renaissance fairs may choose a highheaded gothic harp. Straight harp can trigger powerful emotions, too, and when deployed strategically, it can sound every bit as unhinged as cross harp, but they really have different strengths. While accidentals are played on the pedal harp via the pedals and on the lever harp with levers, the cross strung harp features two rows so that each of the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale has its own string. See more ideas about harp, celtic instruments and ancient music. This book for cross strung harp includes four harp solos, three for harp and vocal, and two for harp and. The doublestrung harp provides nearly unlimited possibilities in technique, style, and sound, expanding the range of application of the harp. The cross strung chromatic harp is based on a twelve tone octave as opposed to a seven tone octave. The playing technique for the cross strung chromatic harp involves a distinct.
They followed the invention of the doublestrung harp, which had two rows of strings strategically tuned for use of twohanded playing. An illustrated introduction to cross strung technique, fully fingered exercises in 26 keys, chromatic and wholetone scales and chords, suggestions for repertoire, and additional resources. Lady rochelles harp 66 wholetone chromatic wire strung 4 octave lap harp. Harper tasche holds a unique and prominent place in the folk harp world, as an awardwinning performer and composer, recording artist, teacher, and author. The two banks of 35 strings each are 66 in tuning, and each string also has a loveland sharping lever. A well thought out book, for those who play wire harp and have no teacher a common situation. Each side has 6 strings per octave as opposed to 7 and 5 chromatic harp pleyel. The little cross strung harp book available at string crossing. Best known for his innovative work with the small harp, the crossstrung harp, and the renaissance bray harp, he delights and inspires concert and festival audiences, harp players, and harp.
He has promoted the crossstrung harp nationwide and has written numerous books of arrangements including 3 books of classical music for the crossstrung harp and a method for the crossstrung harp. He has promoted the cross strung harp nationwide and has written numerous books of arrangements including 3 books of classical music for the cross strung harp and a method for the cross strung harp. Since retiring in1988 doug has developed successful designs for a 23 string lap harp, a full size 36 string harp, and a more recently, a 46 string crossstrung chromatic harp. The crossstrung harp or chromatic double harp is a multicourse harp that has two rows of strings which intersect without touching. This well written and wonderfully illustrated book is designed as an easytofollow, stepbystep guide to playing the harp for those who have completed play the harp beautifully. Find out how you can approach taking keyboard, lute or guitar pieces and adapt them to the crossstrung harp. Take your harp with you anywhere for random acts of harping. One set of strings are the natural notes or white keys on a piano, and the second set are the sharps and flats or black keys. So, if i wanted to play amazing grace in d, i could just set the levers to play in d, and play it as on a noncross harp, but if i wanted to play the entertainer, i could play it in any key, without having to be flipping levers midsong, just by playing crossstrung style.