Greetings Harpists, Harpers, and Harp Lovers,
This newsletter is kind of a combination of old and new items. The image shown at the top may be used for our new website - what do you think?
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I have writer's block, so this is what I'm choosing to focus on today.
A few years ago Ruth Berman Harris asked us to purchase her music and handle it for her, which we did. We started communicating with Ruth in the early 90s when our shop opened. Her music, like many others', was hand written. We suggested she typeset her arrangements. She used Music Printer Plus, a great old DOS program that required years to master, but once you got the hang of it your music looked really great. So we do have her music in this format, and are providing you here with a free scan of one of the pieces. All of her music is on sale! Ruth passed away at nearly 100 just a few years ago. She was a great jazz harpist, too.
Chopin Theme op. 10 No. 3 for pedal harp.
You will find her listings
HERE.
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One of my very favorite composers is Joyce Rice. She's clever and has a great sense of humor and harmony. She has a flute/harp duo called "Three Blind Mice Encore" - it's short and sweet. Thus the "encore". It's now available as a download.
"Three Blind Mice"
Below is a you tube we just put together on her book, "Petty Larcenies." To see all her music, click
HERE.
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Rhett Barnwell has 3 new titles!
Available as PDF - awaiting shipment of paper version.
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Last year while still living in Milwaukee, I was honored to play Sibelius' Symphony #6 with the Menomonee Falls Symphony. I had not heard it, so downloaded the music from IMSLP. It's a very interesting and intellectual composition with an unusual harp part. The part itself was easy, but coming in at the right time was really a challenge for me because the part tended to be non-harp-like. None of the harpists I spoke with had played it. So in case you are asked to play Sibelius #6, I have provided the part
HERE
with pedal changes and notes.
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One of my favorite and most used websites is
IMSLP
- International Music Score Library Project. Here you will find tons of PDFs and recordings of public domain music. When the virus made its appearance, all of a sudden the library of music accessible at the academy where I teach was not there. So I went to
IMSLP
and was able to find many public domain titles suitable for my students. You will find harp music there, too! I find it a really good resource to search out early keyboard music playable on the harp. Because I use the site so much, I am a member.
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I am also a member of
MUSESCORE.COM
- Musescore itself is a free music notation program that looks as good as Finale and Sibelius (IMHO). At the site, one can find piano music that is playable on harp as well as pop tunes that your students want to play. I personally don't use the Musescore program, because I have spent so much time with Finale. I'd like to learn, though. I think it is more similar to Sibelius than Finale in how to enter notes, erase, etc.
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The Amazing Slow Downer App
This would have come in SO handy learning Sibelius 6th - if I had only known about it back then! It allows you to slow down the music so you can play along at your own tempo, and work your way up to the correct or required tempo. The pitch does not change. You can change keys - I didn't use that option. It will also help you to transcribe. You can make loops, too. Google it and you'll find it. I purchased the full program because of the length of the music I was working with. I was playing a 1960s modern concerto for organ with a great harp part, but I couldn't track the music. I had an mp3 file of it with all the wrong tempos. Fasts were too fast, slows were too fast. This app was like a miracle in helping me learn the piece.
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Historical Harp Society News
I joined the Historical Harp Society when I received a personal invitation from Sam Milligan in the mail. The magazine is engaging and friendly! In the recent issue, an article on a virtual harp world intrigued me. Jaque Davison is a harpist and member. He is also an award-winning builder of virtual reality worlds, and has built 'Harps' - an extensive, moderated environment containing a vast collection of harp-related information. I checked it out and thankfully Melody's is located in the shopping area. Whew. Find out more about the
Harps VR FB Group
HERE
The Historical Harp Society's FB page is
HERE
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Thanks for reading and see you next time!
John, Mary & Reba
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