tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48088730057330667012012-01-18T22:46:05.016ZWelcome to Lauren Scott's harp blog! I'm a professional harpist based in the UK. Here you will find all sorts of harp musings, in a bid to spread a bit of harpyness. Thanks for visiting!harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-2412056316127630262012-01-11T18:53:00.007Z2012-01-11T19:18:25.556Z

I should be doing my accounts right now, but instead just found this great YouTube video of dutch harpist Remy van Kesteren's trio42 playing César Franck - Trio op 1, no 1, Andante con MotoBrilliantly arranged and played music for harp, saxophone & violin. Can't wait to get the CD! I think the easiest way to get hold of it is to download it from CDBaby here

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-84967076534729833702012-01-11T08:52:00.009Z2012-01-11T13:42:36.196Z

A new year, a new start. This week it's all been about practice timetables with my students.I'm a big fan of less and more often, rather than a big splurge of practice a day before a lesson. I find with many of the young people I teach, harp is just one of many instruments and extra-curricular things that they learn. It's genuinely a bit of a nightmare trying to fit practice in with everything

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-7851538424886832672011-12-31T11:21:00.005Z2011-12-31T11:52:17.789Z

Well, how was 2011 for you? I've found it a pretty interesting year harp work wise, not quite as doom and gloom as I thought it would be at the beginning of 2011..... Lots of very last minute work came in, and I continue to do as many different different harp projects as possible in a bid to continue making an income from being a musician. Fingers crossed it doesn't all go pear shaped in 2012!!!

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-43886091728626440012011-12-04T14:15:00.004Z2011-12-04T14:33:48.333Z

I've been teaching harp for years and years, and until about 5 years ago I always found that my students once they got to about grade 4-5 standard they moved from a lever harp to a pedal harp. I'm ashamed to say I didn't really know any of the high intermediate to advanced lever harp repertoire at all.So for the past few years I've started exploring the advanced lever harp repertoire and there

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-37936498023277842362011-11-19T21:00:00.006Z2011-11-19T21:11:36.371Z

Thanks to a cancelled rehearsal and some unexpected hanging around time...... finally - here is the minor key chart for setting harp levers. Covers harmonic and natural minors Grade 1-5.As with the majoy key charts, double click on images to get large version.Also a chart for helping students to locate the correct octave name for ordering replacement strings on their harp.

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-77569569817750104482011-11-15T22:36:00.005Z2011-11-15T23:38:13.652Z

For the past 20 years the answer to this most quoted question to harpists has always been a polite chuckle. But with my local petrol station now selling fuel at 135.9 pence per litre, perhaps it's time to rethink my usual answer to that "piccolo" question with a "yes".I'm based in the North West UK, but am currently doing a couple of days work in Scotland. The very nature of my work takes in a

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-76753333856854593362011-11-12T08:59:00.002Z2011-11-12T15:04:37.605Z

Nice harp, shame about the string tension! Recently spotted in lobby of Venue Cymru whilst I was doing some work with Ensemble Cymru a few weeks back, which involved a lot of last minute learning of hard chamber music - Bax Concerto for Oboe, Flute & Harp (with string quartet) and Gareth Glyn's Gig (for same instrumentation as Ravel Septet). Great music, and a lovely bunch of musicians to

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-90842478937805502372011-10-20T15:23:00.004+01:002011-10-20T15:33:58.017+01:00

Wow - that's way to go for more gigs..... tap dancing shoes!this plus lots of really crazy harp photos - including victorian nude playing a Pleyel chromatic harp and Cary Grant playing a Lyon & Healy (yes really!!) on blog by Australian harpist here

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-61341461346685536642011-10-10T14:57:00.004+01:002011-10-10T15:11:09.947+01:00

One year on.... a much missed friend and musician passed away on this day; a very sad and poignant anniversary. Over £16,000 has so far been raised for the Alison Stephens memorial fund to set up a prize in her name at her alma mater for the next generation of musicians to benefit from. A rather lovely and fitting tribute to a very special musician who touched so many lives. Never

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-30085137666882199772011-10-09T15:38:00.003+01:002011-10-09T15:54:38.096+01:00

Nice little video footage from 1964 of Johnny Scott Quintet, with David Snell on harp.I remember the very first harp recording I ever bought when I was really young (on cassette tape!!!) from Woolworths, was of David Snell playing 'hits' on the harp.I can't remember the name of the recording now, but it had pieces like "Tie a Yellow Ribbon", and other similiar middle of the road tunes on it. I

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-82945012239259732312011-09-26T21:21:00.004+01:002011-09-26T21:30:34.055+01:00

Just remembered I said I was going to do this for some students tomorrow.Here goes - for lever harps tuned in E flat major Enjoy :-)click on image for larger view - feel free to print off and stick on the wall near the harp!

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-6459678521203484372011-09-24T10:54:00.004+01:002011-09-24T10:56:16.952+01:00

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-13364549670889818192011-09-12T19:14:00.004+01:002011-09-12T19:32:42.448+01:00

Ah - that internal dialogue..... and internal arguing when you are trying to concentrate on playing... I know it well.Very interesting short video by Dr Carrol McLaughlin about letting go of the internal dialogue to help with better performance.Her book looks very interesting and well worth a read!

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-42091879169825387692011-09-09T19:42:00.002+01:002011-09-09T19:42:23.166+01:00

How exciting is this? This isn't just an electro-accoustic harp........ it's a rainbow coloured electro-accoustic harp. And I see Salvi have just brought out a new Iris, minus the gold. Cunningly called the Iris Natural Concert Grand it is cleverly in the price range between the Apollo and the Arianna.  Now if only I wasn't already paying off for my wonderful gold Iris...  

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-42229986920849885722011-09-02T09:45:00.009+01:002011-10-21T08:18:55.879+01:00

I'm very excited to be part of this project and there will be an official launch of the CD in November at the Forge Venue in London - details to follow. The CD is now available to buy on Amazon but not on iTunes just yet....hopefully soon!A great line up players, flutists Paul Edmund-Davies, Clare Southworth & Andy Findon with guitarist Craig Ogden, & pianists Tim Carey and Peter Lawson all

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-35691735191815184172011-08-23T21:07:00.010+01:002011-08-23T21:35:48.564+01:00

Ben Creighton Griffiths is a total star, and there doesn't seem to be much he can't do... including teaching sporting legend and ex Wales Rugby captain, Gareth Thomas, to play the harp for ITV's Born to Shine programme. I particularly liked the way Gareth said it "was hard to play the harp when you have finger's like cumberland sausages." Above is a short trailer clip for the show, but you can

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-31739437842484476862011-08-22T09:00:00.005+01:002011-08-22T09:08:56.831+01:00

Nice typesetting!!!!! (double click on image for closer view if you really want to...) So that'll just be 7 bars of hollywood glisses then??

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-25274997590231721782011-08-05T10:52:00.007+01:002011-08-05T12:13:33.006+01:00

Mariano Gonzalez is a very interesting musician playing on what seems to be (his own design) a unique custom made electric pitch bending paraguayan midi harp!A great video on his website herePlus a YouTube clip playing with Pianist Bob Rozario and Percussionist Alfredo Albarenga. El Cumbanchero composed by Rafael Hernadez.check out about 2'20 in after the percussion solo for the pitch bending.No

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-67170347269548772562011-08-04T08:29:00.006+01:002011-08-04T08:44:41.419+01:00

Trust Camac to come up with the great idea of doing a series of interviews during the world harp congress in Vancouver and posting them on YouTube!They have a series of interviews with harpists during the congress which can be viewed on their YouTube channel hereA great way to give those of us who couldn't go a flavour of the congress!!Just one here - Florence Sitruk explaining about her

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-89690399781736366212011-07-27T16:22:00.005+01:002011-07-27T16:54:24.738+01:00

I've finally finished my run of operas last night and Billy (the harp doctor) has been round today and just finished servicing my harps and putting on some new bass wires.I've always used Pirastro wires, but the last few sets of Pirastro I've had on my harps I've been really unhappy with. It's been really disappointing as you use to be able to put on a set of Pirastro and know you were getting

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-10525427148983544252011-07-13T20:30:00.007+01:002011-09-02T12:34:49.734+01:00

It looks like it's going to be an amazing World Harp Congress in Vancouver in a couple of weeks! As much as I would love to go, I must confess I've never been to a harp congress. Although I have been to a saxophone congress in Slovenia where I learnt how they made saxophone reeds from scratch, and a Jazz conference in New York where I was nearly mown down by a bunch of enthusiastic jazz

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-79519922341828490432011-07-06T20:52:00.007+01:002011-07-06T22:27:12.459+01:00

I have had to dig deep into my big bucket of inner calmness lately and have just about managed to get through the last couple of days without losing my temper.Despite......having to sightread a community opera - an unmarked horrendous harp part in open key signature with loads and loads of notes... and accidentalshaving a 3 session day yesterday, enough to make anyone tired and frazzledbeing

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-64592905704331380922011-07-01T07:59:00.004+01:002011-07-01T08:21:06.301+01:00

I've been running around like a lunatic lately, and have been flinging the harp into the back of the car at ungodly hours each morning for what seems like ages. Much needed day off tomorrow - hooray!!And instead of feeling frazzled, I'm still buzzing after a brilliant concert by Catriona MacKay & Chris Stout at the Sandbach Concert Series on Wednesday.What an amazing player with really incredible

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-86159729251590451792011-06-20T20:27:00.005+01:002011-06-20T21:10:25.510+01:00

Ok, so they aren't actual harps....... but have you noticed how laser harps (that are actually built to look like a harp) seem to be popping up everywhere? With lots of science centres now having one. I've not actually seen one in the flesh, but wouldn't an encounter with one in a museum be fun, and inspiring? Glen Hill of Mountain Glen Harps seems to be building some great laser harps. Here

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-4053632832923560712011-06-07T08:48:00.008+01:002011-06-07T16:42:17.650+01:00

How about this then!Hijab Initiation No 2 for harp trio by Amir Konjaniharpists - Claire Iselin, Federica Mossone, Soraya Vermeolenalso a solo harp piece by Amir played by Sioned Williams

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-3878212811932039742011-06-01T23:44:00.006+01:002011-06-01T23:51:42.134+01:00

Oh yes - this is AMAZING!!!!Sorry, not Michael Nyman's theme from The Piano (The Heart ask Pleasure First) on the harp.... though it is played nicely here on the celtic harp by Italian harpist Mario Lipparini.....but check out the lights on Mario's harp!They are called "Rebecca Light" and were invented by a lighting engineer who plays the harp and the website where you can buy them is hereBut I'm

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-89826233263816453172011-05-29T09:15:00.006+01:002011-05-29T09:38:04.719+01:00

I'm delighted that Catriona McKay (scottish harp) and Chris Stout (shetland fiddle) will be playing at the next concert as part of the Sandbach Concert Series on Wednesday 29th June 7-9pm.Andy and I heard them play at the Edinburgh Festival last year and we were so blown away by this really amazing duo! Catriona is an inspiring harpist to see live, and if you live anywhere in the North West

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-18031585557426840332011-05-20T08:50:00.006+01:002011-05-20T09:07:28.361+01:00

Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony. Spot the difference between chord symbols and pedal markings on this hire part? (Double click on image to see closer view) 1. What is that harp part all about then? Pages and pages of badly written arpeggios that go at the speed of light with impossible page turns. The only way to play them is to cheat and read chord symbols instead. 2. Wouldn't it have been

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-14976496414742959282011-05-16T19:32:00.003+01:002011-05-16T20:09:01.696+01:00

I played at my mums funeral last week. She had been ill for a couple of years with secondary bone cancer, but had suddenly deteriorated and had wonderful care at the end from our local hospice. Everyone at St Luke's was truly amazing.She had a woodland burial with a "humanist style" ceremony conducted by the family, and we all toasted to her with a drink. It was.... really nice, peaceful,

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-84973980388663440652011-05-12T09:34:00.001+01:002011-05-15T21:39:24.281+01:00

Ah!!! if only playing the harp was that easy.....Lily Munster singing and "playing" the harp.

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-4955167192039709372011-05-04T21:52:00.004+01:002011-05-15T21:28:24.219+01:00

Congratulations to Eleanor Turner for winning second prize at the Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition 2011 in Amsterdam.The competition was open to any instrumentalist and there were 83 participants from thirty-one countries. For a harpist to come second in a competition like this is an astonishing feat.Information about the competition and winners is here. Jump to 5:59 for Eleanor's clip from

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-29521585689861266872011-05-01T11:40:00.003+01:002011-05-01T11:45:05.342+01:00

These harps really remind me of my chickens who are laying really well now the weather is lovely, and we are inundated with eggs again ;-)Lyon & HealyLouis XV Special Concert Grand0 octave G to 7th octave CHeight 74 3/4" (190 cm)Soundboard Width 21 5/8" (55 cm)Extreme Width 41 1/2" (105 cm)Weight 89 lbs (40 Kg)Price $179,000 (US)and on the grounds that imitation is the sincerest form of

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-66876205105384883792011-04-23T09:28:00.013+01:002011-04-23T09:58:02.265+01:00

Only a few years ago if you had asked your average teenager (who wasn't into classical music) about whether they knew of any harpists they wouldn't have been able to name one.Ask a teenager now, and they will mention Tom Moth (under a new name!) the harpist in Florence and the Machine.It's really great that the harp is becoming "hip" and is slipping into mainstream music and losing it's

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-46979617900160981062011-04-18T09:16:00.003+01:002011-04-18T09:17:06.837+01:00

What an entrance!That is going to take some beating - plus a challenge to all young harp duos out there to think of a better way of getting on stage without going to the extreme of Lady GaGa and arriving on stage carried in an egg :-)Identical twins Camille and Kennerly Diebold, playing All I Ask of You from Phantom of the OperaCheck out the 1927 Wurlitzer pipe organ playing approx 2:50 in.....

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-9741610258203858782011-04-12T09:34:00.013+01:002011-04-12T10:11:44.878+01:00

Recorded two of Andy Scott's pieces for flute & harp yesterday with two amazing and brilliant flautists, for a CD coming out of all Andy's compositions for flute. Details about the CD to follow in due course!Sonata for flute & harp with Clare Southworth, and Paquito with Andy Findon.Today I don't have any blisters on my fingers, but they feel really bruised to the touch, and I generally feel like

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-25185464626545859622011-04-06T19:15:00.009+01:002011-04-06T19:32:02.498+01:00

I've recently had another go at doing the 16 exercices journaliers pour harpe by Marie-Claire Jamet as a technical warm up each morning instead of my usual round of Salzedo exercises, and have been doing these now for several months. I had an aborted attempt at these last year but gave up doing them when I started to get a sore wrist and shooting pains up my arm, something which I have never

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-20563189527291060012011-04-01T20:24:00.012+01:002011-04-01T23:08:06.071+01:00

Back this morning from a tour with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky Manfred Symphony - 7 concerts in 7 different European cities in 8 days..... including travelling days to and from the UK! We had a few spare hours in Paris so managed to fit in a visit to the wonderful harp shop near the Arc de Triomphe, Le Magasin de la Harpe. Yet again, Alexandre Budin very

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-78128544562628917792011-03-22T19:08:00.009Z2011-03-22T21:10:52.835Z

LA Harp Blog: HARPO AND DALI: "Creative pairings between like-minded thinkers is vital, in particular for artists, writers and musicians. The three co-exist splendidly. S..."

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-32315247899276359492011-03-15T18:10:00.028Z2011-04-10T21:30:29.811+01:00

My husband, as well as being a composer, is also an amazing jazz musician. So having been to so many jazz gigs and listened to so many amazing jazz musicians over the years I've always been a bit wary of jazz played on the harp... But here are 5 very different harp versions of Take Five, commonly attributed to Dave Brubeck, but was of course written by Paul Desmond, the sax player in his

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-45116071057395940092011-03-13T01:39:00.003Z2011-03-14T20:24:22.555Z

Holy cow - a whole new world of neurosis for harpists! Konghou Harp 47 + 47 strings，double-row strings with pedalsHeight: 222 cmWidth: 110 cm Weight: 53 kgsJoy Yu Hoffman performing her arrangement of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" on the Kong Hou (Chinese Harp).

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-57815885799028899472011-03-12T22:36:00.008Z2011-05-15T21:39:56.905+01:00

So, I was playing in a concert with a chamber orchestra tonight and we had just played the Clarinet Concerto by Copland (great piece, loads of harp throughout) and I'm on stage during the interval giving the harp a quick re-tune before the second half starts. This lady from the audience comes over to the side of the stage and doesn't appear to be visually impaired or drunk. In all seriousness

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-47078927678081254752011-03-09T09:33:00.006Z2011-05-15T21:31:34.167+01:00

Wow - what an amazing harpist and singer! Not being really up on the early music scene I hadn't come across her before, but stumbled across a video of her on YouTube. I've recently bought her album Peiwoh from iTunes and it's been played non-stop since in our house. Arianna is a fascinating musician, being an acclaimed early music opera singer as well as harpist and has an impressive back

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-47551614139922905982011-03-06T22:54:00.005Z2011-03-06T23:06:08.057Z

nails or picks? picks or nails? Started the rehearsals on nails, Petrenko then wanted picks, and on the final rehearsal on the day of the concert wanted nails. I completely underestimated the time needed to grow my nails for this gig, and to be honest just didn't think about this piece coming up in the diary and just kept them usual short length. Arghgh!! They were just too short at the

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-71760743557377110022011-02-26T12:18:00.003Z2011-02-26T12:22:55.079Z

Just finished doing some work with RLPO, a pretty full on programme of Spanish music with loads of harp throughout, and one of the pieces was El Albaicin from the Iberia Suite by Albeniz.I hadn't played that piece before so I wasn't quite sure about the direction on the music Mettez un papier entre les cordes especially as I was playing right up to the last note in the previous piece and there

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-64747244211564761702011-02-20T16:27:00.002Z2011-02-20T16:30:46.807Z

I had a really lovely day yesterday. Andy and I were playing at friends wedding, and it was great combination of good company, good food and a fabulous setting. So feeling rather fuzzy today, it seemed a good time to chill out and video Farewell to Stromness. I was inspired to learn this piece recently after listening to Ruth Wall's CD and especially wanted to play it on lever harp rather than

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-36226745508648837422011-02-13T14:57:00.006Z2011-03-22T22:42:17.791Z

Complicated and very tedious story in a nutshell.My Duo Mandala CD was originally released on Black Box records who were subsequently bought by Sanctuary group who were subsequently bought by Universal Music Group.So who owns the rights to our CD?Not had a royalty statement or payment for years and despite trying to chase up who owns the rights for at least 4 years, phone calls and emails have

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-59074141059116068042011-02-08T10:04:00.005Z2011-02-08T10:11:42.442Z

Just heard the very sad news that the harp maker Andreas Niebisch died suddenly last week.Condolences to his family and friends.Here's a short documentary of Sioned Williams playing some celtic music on one of Neibisch and Tree's small harps and shows Andreas building one.

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-17884591052460692502011-02-03T08:52:00.001Z2011-02-03T09:32:13.734Z

you needed - but wouldn't they be useful ? I already (sadly) use not 1 but 2 heavy duty covers on my Salvi Iris as well as the column and base covers and of course the dust cover. My Iris is the fattest most overdressed harp in town. But maybe I should use these too..... belt and braces? How great is this? Only the other day I was trying to sort out a harp for a student who had this problem and

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-72909825222575273102011-01-29T15:27:00.000Z2011-01-29T23:49:35.258Z

It was great to see so many harpists at the premier of Graham Fitkin's Concerto for midi harp this week.I finally got to meet Graham's partner Ruth Wall, who has a really lovely solo harp CD that she released in 2004. All the music is performed on a 33 string lever harp built by Mark Norris and it is a CD of new accessible tonal music. My personal favourites are the Farewell to Stromness by

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-6619305510017974082011-01-27T13:15:00.000Z2011-01-28T21:15:20.869Z

I went to see SIoned Williams perform the new concerto by Graham Fitkin for midi harp and orchestra with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at their Maida Vale studios in London yesterday. Called "No Doubt", Graham used sample voices from public speeches, mostly US politicians during the Iraq war and after about 5 minutes into the piece, the harp strings stopped being used as an "electric harp" and the

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-871931529924775532010-12-31T13:13:00.000Z2010-12-31T13:41:17.595Z

And a very happy new year!I'm all carol-ed out and it's now it's time to waltz into the new year, and an interesting one it will be with the economic climate being what it is, and seeing how that pans out for all those who work in the Arts.Being a freelance musician for nearly 20 years, I'm well used to diversifying and being creative is the key (I think) to getting through this difficult time.So

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-77188719855605163052010-12-05T21:07:00.001Z2011-05-15T21:33:33.461+01:00

If you are in London on the 26th January 2011, then you should definitely go to see an exciting concert featuring the first public performance of the first concerto for midi harp performed (and commissioned) by Sioned Williams with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.Composed by Graham Fitkin it will certainly be a really fascinating concert. And the concert is free, but you need to book tickets ASAP via

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-43410878270508305842010-11-08T21:37:00.000Z2010-11-08T21:43:57.896Z

I heard an interview with Lucinda Belle earlier this year on Radio 4 and just found some great videos of her on the web. She's got a deal with Island Records and an album out.I'm going to download it from iTunes now. Go Girl!Better still - good to see a harp at Ronnie Scott's

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-73965796541875728972010-11-01T22:21:00.003Z2011-05-15T21:34:30.991+01:00

What pitch to tune my harp to has been a particularly nerdy issue I have struggled with most of my orchestral life. I tune to A=442 as tuning to anything less than that makes the harp sound flat in an orchestra.I use to worry about what long term effect on the harp tuning so sharp would have, so I would tune to A=441. Until I had a chat some years ago to Billy (the main Salvi/L&H technician in

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-5277087797315064272010-10-28T23:51:00.000+01:002010-10-28T23:58:32.055+01:00

There is a lovely review online of the concert by Keziah Thomas at the Carnegie Hall. Also very nice comments in the review about the solo harp piece she commissioned from Andy Scott, Crossing Waves. Crossing Waves was inspired by Ros Savage who rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean and happened to be in New York at the time of Keziah's concert so she went along to the concert and spoke to the

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-89987755988660095702010-10-11T01:14:00.001+01:002011-05-15T21:35:15.145+01:00

My friend and colleague, Alison Stephens, passed away yesterday, 10th October 2010.We first met in 1988 at Trinity College of Music, when in a musicianship class, the teacher was busy pairing all the students off to do a project. Much like the weedy kids who are never picked for the sports team, Ali and I were last to be paired off, so in desperation the teacher ordered us (mandolin and harp) to

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-91189804665077078672010-10-03T21:08:00.001+01:002010-10-03T21:12:08.333+01:00

1,580 miles is a lot of travelling for a gig! But sometimes it's worth it.... Just back from doing a flute, harp and sax gig with Clare Southworth and my husband, Andy in the Dordogne region in France. What a fantastic part of the world, and it was great weather too! Clare and I also had a great flute and harp gig in Sandbach earlier in the week too. There were three premiers by us this week (

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-34263433344354745572010-09-26T23:32:00.000+01:002010-09-26T23:42:39.372+01:00

Just back from a pleasant jaunt down to London to see a harp concert at the Forge venue in Camden by Keziah Thomas, who was premiering a piece that she commissioned from my husband, Andy. She played a very ambitious programme to a room packed full of harpists, which must have been pretty daunting!The programme was, Suite for Harp by Benjamin Britten, The Pearl Divers by Douglas Gibson, American

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-58210240235195527942010-09-20T20:39:00.000+01:002010-09-20T20:46:54.614+01:00

I'm working on 3 separate recital programmes at the moment for concerts which I have coming up.I think that is just about my limit before my head starts to implode!Most of the past few months has been taken up with the concert series which I have been working on setting up. I did all the applications some months back and fantastically we got all the funding, which was amazing especially in this

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-23797012191554486842010-09-05T14:22:00.000+01:002010-09-05T21:38:25.864+01:00

I was so glad when I came across these videos on the web. They are really well demonstrated and there is lots more info about harp care on Steve's site hereTying a harp sting with an anchor, 0-3rd octaves by Steve MossTying a harp string without an anchor, 4th and 5th octaves by Steve Moss

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-63018335180853626392010-08-11T21:52:00.001+01:002010-08-11T22:24:52.685+01:00

Imagine my utter joy when being taken away for a surprise short break in Paris by my lovely hubby and just around the corner from our hotel we come across this amazing sight.... I was peering through the window at night time when I first saw it!utter joy!!So, the next day we went into the main harp shop which was 2 doors down from this workshop, and very generously the owner, Alexandre Budin

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-88179309313425040962010-08-06T15:24:00.000+01:002010-08-06T15:32:41.784+01:00

So - more about the midi harp in due course, as Sioned Williams will be premiering a midi harp concerto with the BBC S.O January 2011 that she has commissioned from Graham Fitkin.What an amazing instrument! Here is Arnaud Roy playing on the midi harp.I'm not personally a fan of blue coloured harps so good to see that Camac have just built a striking black & white midi harp

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-74589883962893899462010-08-04T13:43:00.000+01:002010-08-04T14:01:59.872+01:00

I've clocked up a substantial amount of miles in my car past month, with just short of 1,000 in 4 days last week!I have a Volvo V70 estate, which I bought second hand a few years back and it's the first Volvo I've owned. What a brilliant car, it fits the harp in with loads of room for other gear and is so comfortable to drive.So considering the very silly amount of miles it does, recently I've

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-8140770720109771282010-07-23T14:38:00.000+01:002010-07-23T14:49:10.461+01:00

I bought a Victorian style hooped underskirt from the most amazing "aladin's cave" of a theatrical costume shop in Cambridge today.I had just gone with a friend who was buying a costume for a show she is doing and went into a frenzy when I saw all the Victorian dresses they had.However, after trying on a few dresses I decided that the one I already have is best but was in need of enormous hoop

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-71168507280596580362010-07-12T20:39:00.001+01:002010-07-12T20:43:32.728+01:00

Just been showing a harp student some harp videos and have stumbled on this amazing video on YouTube which I've just added to my "inspiring harp videos" page on this blog.Definitely the most tasteful jazz harp I have ever heard. Texan harpist Cindy Horstman in a duo with bass player Michael Medina.

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-59998919118112219422010-07-06T23:33:00.000+01:002010-07-06T23:42:07.953+01:00

I played on a Katherine Jenkins gig yesterday at the Llangollen Eistedfodd and it's going to be broadcast on S4C this Sunday 11th July at 8pm. I played David of the White Rock as a duet with Katherine again, this time a very different and scarily chromatic arrangement, and there were also a few harp solos in the Welsh Medleys. So that got me thinking about why I used my black Aurora harp and not

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-7818350194171384782010-06-28T09:33:00.000+01:002010-06-28T09:39:49.832+01:00

I've just had a very busy few days of gigs. First up was a Katherine Jenkins gig in Whitehaven, which was nicely presented by Katherine after all the recent tragedy there. The next day was a James Bond gig with the RLPO which was fun but it was just page after page of glisses, and there were lots of pages. Slotted in between the glisses there were a couple of pieces where I actually had some

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-55581870397079295562010-06-23T15:34:00.000+01:002010-06-23T15:43:10.217+01:00

Andy and I played at the funeral today of a very special lady today, who died before her time. It was a really lovely church service, and it was nice to catch up with some old friends afterwards.Playing at a funeral is definitely one the hardest gigs you can do, but it was a real privilege for me and Andy to be able to play for her as she was really good to us when our kids were little.I played

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-89368992733839734992010-06-19T10:02:00.001+01:002010-06-19T10:09:12.449+01:00

I've been really busy with gigs, but have hardly had any chance to practice. A very unsatisfactory way to be, but thats the way it goes sometimes.I spent most of this week in between gigs (and during breaks in the gigs) writing up proposals, filling in funding application forms and generally catching up on loads of admin. All the applications need to be submitted in the next few days, so

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-55176372235136794952010-06-09T19:18:00.001+01:002011-05-15T21:37:42.705+01:00

I've been playing through Salzedo's "A Daily Dozen" as technical exercises a lot lately. I'm a real fan of the "Conditional Exercises" and have been using them for years, and bought "Daily Dozen" last year as something new to try out. I'm really not sure what I think about these. I find them very good, but have slight reservations about them - especially number 2 with the octave jumping. They

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-80057028053478970372010-06-01T09:26:00.000+01:002010-06-01T09:32:36.935+01:00

My husband, Andy Scott who is a composer, will shortly be writing a new piece for solo harp.He has been commissioned by young talented harpist, Keziah Thomas who has recently moved to the US, so the piece will be premiered at the Forge in September in London and then in Carnegie Hall in New York in October. Andy wrote his flute and harp sonata for me nearly 8 years ago now and I will be

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-53847590724607252912010-05-13T16:08:00.000+01:002010-05-13T16:11:35.241+01:00

Finally - I couldn't take the nasty sound they were producing so I ended up doing what I always normally do when I get blisters. (But usually I don't get blisters quite this thick, which is why I was holding off from the doing this...) It's probably against all correct medical advice.... but I usually file them off with a nail file. Takes a bit of a while when the skin is that thick, but they

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-81516552469529055332010-05-09T10:27:00.000+01:002010-05-09T10:31:15.946+01:00

These are the most stubborn blisters I think I have ever had. They are just not going down at all and I'm getting really fed up with them now :-(I had another Carl Davies gig with the RLPO last night. Usual film stuff ending with that sacred quartet of British proms music.Wood - British Sea SongsArne - Rule BritanniaParry - JerusalemElgar - Pomp and Circumstance March No 1. Towards the second

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-85625495467831823362010-05-02T11:13:00.000+01:002010-05-02T11:25:14.902+01:00

This is the part of the stain glass windows in my local church, St Mary's Church in Sandbach.Not sure I approve of the left hand position but nice to see his thumbs up!Yesterday I had my second gig in 4 months where I had to sightread a piece I didn't know in a concert. It was fairly straight forward this time - Mass of the Children by John Rutter - but still it was that heart in mouth moment

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-8962250924414955612010-04-30T19:53:00.000+01:002010-04-30T20:00:07.023+01:00

Billy (aka The Harp Doctor) stopped over at mine recently when he travelled up to service my concert harps and as an unexpected bonus he unraveled the mystery of why my little clarsach was always so dodgy!It's a Wilfred Smith clarsach that I first started learning on as a child, and I now only use it on the odd occasion when teaching. Lots of sentimental value, but to be honest it's never been a

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-79081416502409405842010-04-25T12:46:00.000+01:002010-05-10T10:10:49.560+01:00

so - what do you do?You are on a gig and you can't play on the blisters when they are really puffed up.You can't play on the inner side of the finger tip because then the string is up against the puffed up blister when you play and gives off a really nasty pingy sound, and you are then so far away from normal playing position it's just weird.So that leaves playing on the outer side of the finger

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-24958204460033025612010-04-19T19:06:00.000+01:002010-04-19T19:17:10.495+01:00

I'm not sure whether it's a peculiarity of the shape of my fingers, but over the years I have developed a technique for loud orchestral glisses when you just don't have time in the music to grab and use a felt pick. I can only do it with my 2nd finger (in both hands) so it only applies to upward glisses.Its using the whole side of the 2nd fingerinstead of the normal playing part of the finger tip

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-48272592588499947652010-04-10T10:23:00.000+01:002010-04-10T14:55:37.297+01:00

Went for run this morning and still finding it very hard work, but it's so nice to run and feel/see the sun after our sporadic winter running. Hopefully this bodes well for getting back into regular runs in the morning.Just off for a quick tidy up and prune in the garden and then going to get ready for work later today at the Phil. It's a Stephen Sondheim birthday concert with Carl Davies. As per

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808873005733066701.post-55900169200838653082010-04-02T11:34:00.001+01:002011-05-15T21:41:51.624+01:00

I'm finding it hard to get back into a routine after having the worst cold I've had in YEARS.It's been 3 weeks now and I'm still not back to full strength.Managed to go running this morning - more of a slow jog really, so at least thats an improvement. There is definitely a connection between whether I can get any physical exercise done and my productivity for the rest of the day. So here's

harpynesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909823425016623007noreply@blogger.com0