Plus: Somerset Folk Harp Festival, Athas’tour pic and schedules, Celtic vampire novel by Karen Victoria Smith and Delta Rae …so emotional and beautiful! Scottish harpist Rachel Hair notes down her tips on how to get into this fascinating musical instrument: The Celtic harp! It was through my discovery of harp music that got me started … Continue reading »
Tag Archives: Clàrsach
Corrina Hewat: Smooth and Jazzy
After a few days of trivia and news about tours and album reviews, it is time to relax and listen to an artist. This is one of the things about my writing that I take delicately. Knowing an artist can sometimes be an illusive thing because you might just be talking about a certain … Continue reading »
Buzzing Harps: Bray Harps (Popular in the 14th to 18th Century Wales)
Mike Parker 16thC. style gothic harp with bray pins on some notes. Bass ronde misattributed to Beatrix of Dia, I heard Bill Taylor perform music using his bray harp (also known as gothic harp) and it was something. These harps sound like they are buzzing when you play them. So totally different from the harp … Continue reading »
Got Harp Blisters? Part II
Ray Pool is a world renowned harpist from Tulsa Oklahoma. He has interesting tips in how to deal with harp blisters. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Original source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440002226552.210336.617686552&type=1 http://www.raypool.com Continue reading »
Naia
Celtic harp and flute. These are two instruments that sound like they’re made for each other. Flutist Nicole Rabata and harpist Danielle Langord will enchant you with their perky tracks. They make music that sounds like it comes from the fairies. There is this lively and sparkling quality in every track. Portland is their home base. Hear more about … Continue reading »
Legends of the Celtic Harp
North American fans are in for a musical treat this July. Four shows are scheduled for Legends of the Celtic Harp. According to Lisa Lynn Franco: Four California shows with Patrick Ball, Aryeh Frankfurter and myself performing “Legends of the Celtic Harp” a musical tribute to the true stories and folklore of the harp through … Continue reading »
Scott Hoye Talks about His Home Recording of Black Rose (Interview)
Between O’Carolan and Indie music is a gem of many facets: The home recording of Black Rose by American singer/harpist Scott Hoye. Scott Hoye is my guest for this week. His album Black Rose is out in the market. It was also the start of my comprehensive journey into the world of harp music. It … Continue reading »
Chris Caswell: Harp Builder, Multi-Instrumentalist and Music Teacher.
This is the right way to play the Celtic harp…. Occasionally, we are blessed with someone who has an eye for beauty and a hand for musical expression. Chris Caswell embodies the nature of a true bard. Apart from being a versatile musician (playing flute, penny-whistle, harp, bodhran, and bagpipes), he is also the builder … Continue reading »
Patrick Ball
Patrick Ball continues to bring the lyrical gift of Ireland to the world through harp music and spoken word. Anyone who is interested in the sound of the wire-strung harp knows Patrick Ball. A fan of traditional Irish music isn’t a stranger to his name or music. If you are an insider, I am sure … Continue reading »
Black Rose by Scott Hoye(Track by track album review)
Black Rose: An album of moods, textures and layers. I am listening to Black Rose, a Cláirseach harp and vocal album by the American Celtic musician Scott Hoye. It has all the satisfying elements that you can find in a traditional album. Yet it has the experimental quality of a New Age or Ambient album. There is a … Continue reading »
Jochen Vogel: Highland Lounge
No two wire-strung harpists/players are the same. This is obvious in the kind of style that Jochen Vogel has been developing for years. Like guitars, violins and other instruments, the Clarsach is a very expressive instrument owing its grace not only to the player but the way it was constructed. The wood, the conditions that … Continue reading »
Cynthia Cathcart:Playing the Unique Sound of the Clàrsach
Cynthia Cathcart takes us on a journey through the mystical sound of the Clàrsach. The Clàrsach is different from the regular Classical harp in a sense that it has smaller size and creates a unique sound. It has that distinctive perky and almost sharp edge when played by the fingernails. It is a tone color that resembles … Continue reading »
