Harp Books and Tutors
See below for a selection of tunebooks and harp tutors, as well as a book on harp history.
Harp History
Tree of Strings (Crann nan Teud): A History of the Harp in Scotland
by Keith Sanger and Alison Kinnaird
Alison Kinnaird isn't just
a premier Scottish harper, she has also conducted extensive research on
the history of the Gaelic harp. In compiling this painstaking historical
survey of harps in Scotland, Kinnaird and Keith Sanger have made liberal
use of manuscripts and historical documents that have never been published
elsewhere. The authors present an exhaustive discussion of the subject,
covering the the different harps played in Highland and Lowland regions,
tunes and repertoire, mythological references to the instrument, the use
of the harp within the royal courts, and the present-day Celtic harp revival.
This is the first history of the harp in Scotland to be published, and
it provides a comprehensive account of the harp that reaches back to the
8th century, when the instrument first appeared in carvings on the Pictish
stones.
Tunebooks
The following tunebooks include arrangements made specifically for the harp.
The Lothian Collection: 25 Tunes from the Great Houses of the Lothians
by Alison Kinnaird
In all, 25 tunes from the Great Houses (families) of the ancient Scottish
Lowlands around Edinburgh known as the Lothians (East, West and Midlothian).
Includes Scottish jigs, slow airs, pastorales, minuets and reels, most
from the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Irish Melodies for All Harps
by Sylvia Woods
O'Carolan Tunes for All Harps
by Sylvia Woods
Irish Dance Tunes for All Harps: Fifty Jigs Reels Hornpipes and Airs
by Sylvia Woods
Tunebooks by Sylvia
Woods are unique
in that two different arrangements—one for beginning students, and
another more advanced version—are presented for each tune, making
the book appropriate for players at all skill levels. Chord indications
for each tune are included to assist other instrumentalists who want
to play along, and fingering suggestions are noted.
About Time Too: Music for the Scottish Harp
by Wendy Stewart
Tutors
Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners
by Laurie Riley
Fully illustrated, easy-to-understand, step-by-step methods for playing
the harp are presented. Learn to play the entire selection of folk harp
solos included in the book. The material covers basic positioning and
techniques, tuning, and other topics of interest to harp students.
Easy Celtic Harp Solos
by Star Edwards
These 25 arrangements for solo harp include tunes from the Isle of
Man, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, the Hebrides and Brittany, and also features
pieces by Turlough
O'Carolan and Robert
Burns.
Mel Bay Presents Exploring the Folk Harp
by J. McAll
More like an encyclopedia and tutorial combined, this large book explores
types of harps, maintenance, chords, playing by ear, and arranging music
to suit your playing level. There is a large selection of Celtic and Renaissance
songs of varying difficulty, for beginning through advanced harpers.
Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp
by Sylvia Woods
Twelve step-by-step lessons include instructions, exercises, and folk
and classical pieces to learn and play. Appropriate for any student, regardless
of musical training and experience.
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