Easy Christmas carols for beginner harp!

[@moondiamonde2499]

That sounded like Heaven to me♡

[@GorefeastDrummer]

also wanted to add, thank you so much for leaving in all of the parts where there was difficulty understanding, and your thoughts on fingering etc, this was vastly helpful!!!

[@learningtheharp6832]

Yay! I'm so glad it was helpful :)

[@connieLo87365]

This was in 2018. I like the very easy one "What Child is this" you have made in 2020. All Christmas music is beautiful.

[@reginaburke5804]

Playing since August. Susan Call Hutchison books are in my ability

[@GorefeastDrummer]

i love Sylvia Woods' Arrangements but I agree that they are MUCH more advanced, but GORGEOUS

[@nurturingspiritmusic5751]

What a beautiful voice you have!

[@realitycheck1870]

Very helpful to hear your comments as you explored the written music for the first time in each of the books. Not all fingering has to be done the same way by every harper, it seems!

[@sradefarras]

I love the Suzanne Guldimann book! Bought it because I love how you played it, and because it’s not so Christmasy, I can play it all year. Quite prayerful, too. 😀

[@jondoes8222]

Love to play the Christmas carols. Over the years I have played Christmas programs and played them in my own methods. I taught myself to play yrs ago. I leave it for awhile but when i get in the binge of playing, I always learn something new. Ocarolan's Dream is one I had to work on but i now have it down.

[@JamieDanger]

In case anyone is looking for another point of reference, I played the easy versions of What Child is This and First Noel from Sylvia Woods last year - after about a year of harp lessons - and they were fairly easy to go through with a a couple weeks' practice for each.

[@perinatalcares]

Thank you for telling. I liked Sylvia woods arrangement best.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Thanks for your input, Jamie. Have you played other instruments before?

[@JamieDanger]

@@LearningtheHarp Thanks for your response! No, harp is my first instrument. I started when I was 29, and I'm 31 now. Really love watching your channel and getting your encouragement, as I'm sure many others do :)

[@susangallagher6091]

It was so interesting your 'Christmas harp for beginners review' - it has highlighted a lack of musical arrangements for the absolute beginners to the harp in the market. The difference between the books you reviewed and your single arrangement for Silent Night with voice make it possible for the most inexperience harp singer player to achieve. I have never been able to sing and play the piano together as the voice goes or the playing as a 'busy left hand' takes too much concentration. With your arrangement I did both and even impressed myself singing. An experienced musician does not want to spend time learning Christmas carols as it is a very short season, so a 'fix quick' solution will work as you could sight read your arrangements with excellent result and no time learning. I even played on the piano and sang Fields of Gold, which I thought would be far too difficult, but was surprised how I just sat down and played your arrangement without a problem. The singing I enjoyed so much as your personal arrangement took into account the concentration required to play/sing song but did not distract from the beautiful harmony. Definitely, without a doubt, I would recommend your arrangements and hope to see more of them on your website to buy. xx

[@LearningtheHarp]

Oh, I see!! You’re talking about arrangements that are easy to sing and play at the same time. Yes, there is a definite lack of those!!!. I was writing out my arrangements for voice and harp, but then I realized that my students learn to sing and play better when they understand the chords and learn it from memory. So I stopped creating sheet music for voice and harp. But next year I plan to make some video lessons to teach my voice&harp arrangements by ear instead. Would that be interesting for you?

[@susangallagher6091]

Definitely interested in your idea for next year, I look forward to that. xxxx@@LearningtheHarp

[@moirbasso7051]

This is GENIUS. I am so thankful that you did this, Christy-Lyn. Corde Natus- "Of the Father's Love Begotten" - standard Catholic/Anglican/Lutheran hymn. Almost spot on re: rhythm.

[@MR-um4jt]

Thank you so much. I'm a beginner but I fell in love with variations of welsh coral that you introduced in previous video and in last 11 days I succeeded to play 4 variations and now I'm working on the 5th!! So excited. 😘💕

[@LearningtheHarp]

Oh well done, that's super exciting!! I'm so pleased that you're inspired :D Did you like any of the pieces in this video too?

[@MR-um4jt]

Christy-Lyn's music I reviewed the video, yes, silent night is always adorable, every time... 🌷

[@dignabressers7741]

Great video! Very nice that you let us see and hear the same pieces from different books. And also you comments on it.That helps me. Also the ''unown'' pieces are nice to hear. I didn't skip parts of it haha.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Wow that's amazing... thanks for watching the whole thing!! I'm impressed :) Are you going to learn some Christmas music?

[@dignabressers7741]

I'm going to buy the Joyce Weaver's book. Or maybe your version of silend night. Of course I want to play some Christmas music :)

[@alanandjanetpohl4043]

Thank you so much, Christy-Lyn! I am a beginner, and I recently purchased the Sylvia Woods book. Too hard for me! I am so happy to see you confirm that. I think I will buy the other book, though. It appears to be quite simple, yet pretty. This video is so helpful!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Oh this is SO good to hear!! I'm so pleased I found something that's simpler for you. Let me know how it goes!

[@lindasue8719]

I picked up green grows the Holly even before I could play it... It's largely medieval and Renaissance carols, and that's my favorite time period in music, so I just had to have it! 😁 I've opted to learn a couple of pieces from the Sylvia Woods, and if I can get it in time a couple of challenging more challenging polish carols. And now that my Dusty strings has arrived I'm trying to learn a fairly basic arrangement of Carol of the Bells. It's very exciting! A couple of ideas for people who are just starting out, I have found that very Elementary piano books are not bad for playing on the harp. And if a new harpist is picking a piece where the left hand is a little challenging, to leave out some of the notes... Which ones to keep could be determined just by what sounds nicest to the player. Ultimately Christmas carols are delightful, and the harp is delightful so even the simplest arrangement I'm sure will bring pleasure to the player and their friends and family! PS: I remember from playing and teaching piano, if we wait until the time of year where we're starting to think about Christmas, it's too late! LOL Most of the carols I'm learning now I started I think around Labor Day LOL! My plan is to start tackling some more challenging carols right after Christmas so that I have them well under my belt next year LOL

[@LearningtheHarp]

This is all so exciting!! I like your idea of starting Christmas music super early... I hope you have a forgiving family/neighbors, haha! 😂 It sounds like you have a good background of music - for people like you and me it might seem easy to adjust an arrangement to make it easier, or to adapt a piano arrangement with good fingering for harp. But there are people learning harp who don’t have a musical background, and that’s why I’m so thankful for Joyce Weaver’s book 😃 Let me know how it goes with learning your Christmas songs. I’m sure wish your enthusiasm you will go far!

[@lindasue8719]

Yes, that was silly of me… The fingering being an issue crossing over from piano to harp! Especially the right hand.!! I’m not all that skilled yet, but I figure if I take a quite challenging piece (for me) and start reeeeeally early and really reduce it to its smallest components… Hopefully I’ll have it ready for Christmas ‘19 lol 😄 The Joyce Weaver arrangements sounded really beautiful! I’m going to look into getting that book. (I hope I caught all my typos… I left my reading glasses at work 😄)

[@LearningtheHarp]

No typos in sight... you got them! 🙌🏻

[@jillgeary1313]

Thanks Christy-Lyn for doing this review. This helps so much - I'm not playing much as my hand injury is still unstable, so I may be a beginner for a long time LOL - but your opinion is so valuable and hearing the songs played makes it easier for me to decide what I am capable of!

[@phataton8206]

Pleasant sound pleasant smile and demeanor.

[@ChoirFly]

Thanks so much for putting together this video and for your recommendations! Now I don't feel so bad. This time last year, I had just been playing harp for a few months, and although I had prior musical experience on other instruments, Sylvia Woods' easy arrangements were still beyond me. But now I can play them more fluidly, and can even get into some of the more advanced versions. Sometimes the fingerings are helpful, sometimes not. Thanks also for the comparisons. I'll definitely check out the Weaver and Guldimann books. ~ Lisa

[@LearningtheHarp]

That’s such great feedback, thanks Lisa! Yes I was concerned that when people see an “easy” or beginner version of Christmas songs they will expect to be able to learn it even after only a short time of playing harp. But some beginner pieces are really quite difficult, so that’s what made me make this video. Thanks for the confirmation that it was helpful! ❤️

[@sthom4bad]

Very helpful in a multitude of ways.

[@LearningtheHarp]

That’s good to hear!! What’s your plan for Christmas music?

[@susangallagher6091]

Hi Christy-Lyn, thank you for an excellent review, it is so helpful when you have just purchased a harp and visualise sitting under the Christmas tree playing a carol and hopefully singing. Just purchased your silent night version, excellent, started on it, hopefully will be singing away and playing by Christmas xx

[@LearningtheHarp]

Wonderful!! I'd love to hear how it's progressing - let me know if you have any difficulties :)

[@susangallagher6091]

Just like to thank you for arranging a very simplistic version of Silent Night. This is definitely doable for me! The harmony is lovely considering it is a beginner's level piece. Played it on my orchestral piano to get the gist and even managed to sing it, all I have to do now is get my left hand moving on my harp, ha ha - but my Christmas wish is for you to arrange a Christmas collection for absolute beginners so I can buy it without tearing my hair out trying to find something suitable for a beginner (3 months).

[@LearningtheHarp]

@@susangallagher6091 Thanks for the feedback, Susan! So pleased Silent Night is going well so far. I'm interested to hear that you would like Christmas arrangements from me. Don't the books I mentioned in this video fit the bill for you? What would you like to be different in Christmas arrangements from me?

[@Hildegard71]

Thanks for sharing Christy! You are such a lovely harpist. It's a pleasure to listen to your music!

[@joanelizabethhall9455]

I made a medley of the 3 tunes I'm aware of for "I Saw Three Ships".

[@Meltiqueful]

Nice video, very helpful!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Thanks Amelia! ☺️ Will you be learning some Christmas music?

[@Meltiqueful]

@@LearningtheHarp I like the Sylvia Woods "What Child is This". It seems pretty and not hard. I may try others in that book too. We'll see how much time I have before Christmas!

[@Peace94610]

Thank you so much....

[@SiljeLiumMusic]

Love you, Christy-Lyn!!!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Sending love, Silje

[@pattyorourke8068]

Thank you for this excellent review!

[@lynntouchette4520]

Thank you very much for the reviews! Very helpful!

[@perinatalcares]

Thank you.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Pleasure! Are you planning to give some of the music a try this Christmas?

[@perinatalcares]

Yes, the easy one with all my favorite songs by Joyce Weaver, the other one does not list what songs are in it. You are so beautiful and brighten my day with every video! I appreciate you, I just need to learn to read bass clef. I played oboe for 7 years in school, and organ and piano since 8. Life and six children happened, now I'm getting back into music as a sound healer. I have forgotten bass clef maybe from head injury, but, I hope it will come back! I love my harp! My grandchildren come over and "play" for me and I enjoy this so!

[@jacomiententeije5417]

So helpful 😍

[@standominguez8172]

First of all, thank you for being so generous with your talent and providing this video that is so helpful, especially for us beginners. I have a Roosebeck 19 string lever Harp. It seems to me that the Joyce Weaver might be a better fit for my harp and level. What are your thoughts?

[@LearningtheHarp]

Yes, I think Joyce Weaver would be the perfect choice for you! 👍🏻 Thanks for watching and commenting ☺️

[@standominguez8172]

@@LearningtheHarp Thank you very much for getting back to me. I'm going to purchase the book.

[@jennhill8708]

My Hubster said I could buy your harp series, but I'm wondering ... As my first & only harp is a DS w 4 octaves, G - G, does your series address this? I have a double strung teacher, but I haven't quite figured out SKYPE. Plus I've been ill, today. (Was to have been my first lesson!) I have arthritis in my hands (& everywhere else), which may cut back on finger 1 playing. I may have to substitute #2 for that. But, if my tummy will cooperate, I'll be up til midnight, tonight, practicing fingering. I think my new harp may have stabilized sufficiently. How long did it take your L&H? Mine didn't cross an ocean, but, instead, very high mountains & desert. While thinking of Christmas, oddly enough, I kept thinking of Frere Jacque done in round. Maybe because children & Christmas go together!? We have Thanksgiving in two days, then Advent & Christmas (tide). I'd love to be able to play SOMETHING for the Octave of Christmas & St Stephen's Day. My whole are of (self) study is on the 14th C. I'll order the Christmas Medieval book,

[@LearningtheHarp]

Hi Jenn, that really great! Congrats for your new double harp, super exciting!! My O Come Emmanuel video lesson probably won’t work for you, because it uses the C below your harp’s lowest string, and it’s for late beginner which would be a bit much if you’re just starting. But I think After the Rain and then Mahogany Moon will be perfect for you!

[@HeidiFetzer]

i just got my first harp a harpsicle just a few days after Christmas which one of these would be good for a beginner like me so i could play next Christmas

[@HeidiFetzer]

i also just bought two of Sylvia Woods teaching books cause i dont have a harp teacher near me so i would have to try to teach myself and learn from youtube videos

[@qltygrl3187]

Is the Joyce Weaver book playable on a 26 string? My lowest note is 1 octave below middle C.

[@learningtheharp6832]

Hi! All but 2 of the easier versions can be played without adapting on a 26 string harp. 4 of the harder versions can be played on small harp too.

[@mrwjdav]

Dear Christina Lynn I wonder if you play Catholic Hymns with your harp.

[@learningtheharp6832]

Hi! Christy-Lyn has played quite a few hymns :) Did you have a particular one in mind?

[@qltygrl3187]

What is the best number of strings for a beginner to start with?

[@LearningtheHarp]

I would suggest 26 or more, and if you can afford it 34 strings is wonderful! If you absolutely must get a 22 string harp, make sure you get a C to C version. I think it’s easiest to learn technique on a floor harp, but rather just get what you can afford, and once you fall in love with playing harp you’ll be motivated to save for the next harp!

[@qltygrl3187]

Learning the Harp with Christy-Lyn! I decided on a 26 string fullsicle harp. I can’t wait to get it! I’m excited to begin this journey!

[@equidel1]

Great review! Are you familiar with "Christmas Eve, 16 Solos for Celtic Harp" by Sunita Staneslow (www.melbay.com/Products/96481EB/christmas-eve.aspx?classificationSId=H03)? If so, what do you think of it? I have look at some of the songs (i.e.: Silent Night) and they look completely different from other I have seen from the same songs.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Yes, I played quite a few songs from that book in my previous Christmas harp video. It’s a great book! 👍🏻

[@rougejester]

where did you get you harp?

[@learningtheharp6832]

Hi there! It's a Lyon & Healy Ogden :)

[@MiaStrayer]

I miss a prano too first soprano very high singer sing very sharp actually I don't sing flat icing sharp isn't that funny

[@LearningtheHarp]

It’s fun to have a high voice! 😊💕