La Partida - played on Paraguayan harp

Some say it's called "Quiero ser tu sombra" (wanna be your shadow), apparently by Hector Quattromanos and Zulema Alcayaga but this tune has been claimed by many people. Thanks to a fellow KZbin user who did some research, we now know that the tune I play is in fact traditional. It's such a great piece - I love the slinkiness of it (if that's not a word, it is now). The Paraguayan harp is amazing - the sound on this recording is just noise-reduced, no other audio treatment - you can hear the sparkly treble and deep bass. The harp has guitar-type tuners (machine heads) which can be a bit fiddly near the middle of the harp, where it curves inwards. You hardly have to touch the strings to make it work - and when you play loud, the strings have the characteristic "twang" which you can use for special effects. I bought it at the Stamford Harp Festival and there's a rolled-up banknote in the end of the harp at the top - I can't get it out so who knows what it's worth! Apparently people would put banknotes in between the strings or into the top, as a tip. If you're a harpist, you might spot that the strings don't follow the conventional colours because Paraguayan harps have the C string in blue, and the F string in red, the reverse of other harps.
I'm playing it in my annex, which was a bakery serving the local houses, built around 1790 - that's the bread oven in the stone wall behind me. This is another of my late-night recordings, and it's the first complete take - so there's the odd rough bit.
The arrangement and video is my copyright. You are welcome to learn and play the arrangement if you like it - but please credit me if you play it in public. If you like it, I'll post more music.
The video was recorded using a 3-CCD camera direct to hard disk, and I used Cool Edit Pro to noise reduce the audio and Adobe Premiere Pro for picture correction. If you want a higher-quality file to download and put on your computer, leave me a message and I'll send you the link.

[@pandorama230]

I saw your video here 12 years ago, and it became one of my favorite music in my life. I converted it into mp3. I have changed my phone many times during the past 12 years, but this music has always accompanied me.Thank you for your music. I feel very lucky because I heard your music.

[@floL2005]

It's my first time hearing Paraguayan harp music. Thank you.

[@ruthroshan]

Here in Australia we call this piece Valse Venezulano. I love your phrasing.

[@alexspiridon1017]

My god I'm returning to this again and again even after 12 years. Thank you!

[@MarkHarmer]

Hi there! That’s really nice to hear. I’m actually playing that piece tomorrow and on Saturday as part of a group of musicians - it’s a brilliant piece to play either on solo harp or with a band, always a real crowd-pleaser! I’m so glad you like it. Yes, it was long time ago - I still in fact have the harp, but I don’t have the hair anymore!

[@somael]

This is a beautiful song and you are great artist. Thanks for sharing. You did this recording almost 8 years ago but, for me, it is happening right now. When you did it, in fact, you gave eternal life to your art. Congratulations.

[@RachellAspiration]

Geesh! I didn't set the mark too high for myself by first listening to and prefering the interpretations and styles of playing by yourself, qwhastings, Cheyenne Brown, and mollificent....just to name a few! Your video of La Partida was the first peice I heard while searching for Paraguayan harp music. My whole heart melted into a puddle of joy, as the tears began rolling down my cheeks. Thank you so much for sharing your passion for music. Melissa Rachell

[@tobigforyou]

Sir, I found this video years ago, and I keep coming back to it. Absolutely beautiful.

[@celiacruzpa]

very beautiful i am paraguayan and when i was young there was not a day passing by without hearing the sound of the arpa now far a way and much older this brings back nice memories beautiful played thanx

[@ahojnicki]

oh my god i wish the video never stopped

[@eranhouja]

best la partida version!!! beautiful!

[@MarkHarmer]

Thank you so much!! :-)

[@adrianmichaelellis]

i stumbled accross your video and was just captivated by this work. please post more.

[@fistach11111]

I can't listen to your performances, because I'm crying all the time. Everything is so beautiful...

[@worldconquerer]

@MarkHarmer That is just amazing! You are truly talented! Well done!

[@JohnMcneil112]

the best natural high..listen, close your eyes, relax, focus only on the music

[@breakmandx]

gorgeous instrument, gorgeous song

[@MarceloBatistaHarmonica]

Great great great harpist! Excellent musical work!!! Congratulations from Belo Horizonte - Brasil Marcelo Batista

[@Zadekiel77]

So beatiful... one of the most gorgeous thing I've heard all my life.

[@alovelylily]

Before I heard this song I was only somewhat interested in the harp, but now I know for sure I want to do it.

[@PETfilm]

Go for it, boy! I'm a 29 year old boy playing the church organ, which am totally happy with. If you'd like to explore the harp, let that be your choice and don't listen to those narrow-sighted (or narrow-minded?) people telling you what to play or not. Ars longa, vita brevis.

[@felrockit]

Awesome.. Simply. In fact all your videos are. Your words in the descriptions, your kindness, the video edition... Everything ... That's a bless.

[@ichimelgarejo]

Que orgullo a ver los comentarios elogiando a la música paraguaya, Esto es Paraguay señores!, música que sale del alma!

[@VeroRivasPoletti]

El arpa es paraguaya...la música no

[@LooneyNina]

You have one of the prettiest haps I'v ever seen in my life :)) And gorgeous song also. Plus very nicely played.

[@ronaldwilson7347]

so beautiful... thank you for sharing this...

[@viedub]

Great piece; all of your videos are top notch. Keep it up

[@Fayeeetje]

Your very good.. such a plesent to listen!!!

[@kidalien95]

ohh my gosh this song is so... so... so.. i don't know but you play it so nice I want to learn to play the harp for a very long time but c never ould afford one and didn't really want to take the time but this just gave me the extra boost I needed. I am going to save my money and get lessons. Thank you so much.

[@KesslerWatsonMusic]

that is magnificent. The harp has got to be the most beautiful sounding instrument ever created.

[@darthlime101]

Such a beautiful song.

[@zuleimaplaceres4964]

Sr Hammer, ese vals se llama la partida, letra y música del venezolano fallecido Carlos Bonnet, militar, musico compositor y director de banda marcial, nacido en 1892. En la década de los 70 dos argentinos la grabaron y le cambiaron la letra y la llamaron quiero ser tu sombra

[@troubleclef]

thanks for sharing this. that's a beautiful piece very nicely arranged and executed...which i probably say every time i comment on one of your great videos..

[@Yibbanator]

Amazing! That is an awsome peice. Great work.

[@maayannoah2419]

I fell in love with this piece.

[@jessyquedens]

Beautifully, exceptionally clear, and thanks for all the detail shots of the harp itself. Also for the extended About This Video text.

[@superstitioussonata]

I can't believe that I missed this video somehow! This song is so beautiful, too, the melody itself and your rendition of it. Very moody song, dreamy and great for late-night listening and relaxation. I love the songs you choose. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@jrtrades_x]

This makes my ears pipe up and really sends vibrations all through my body. I love the harp, you really play it beautifully.

[@spiderbear78]

beautifully done. harps are pretty incredible...and difficult as all hell i hear

[@Aryan13146]

Awesome! It lets your soul fly away.

[@Bioshockgamer334]

im lucky to be from paraguay! :D I went to paraguay on vacation this year. I had to listen to this all dayyyyyyyy!

[@lurojas41]

Maxinifico, felicitaciones y saludos, Luciano

[@nauticalbytes]

That's absolutely fantastic! Respect

[@scowlingmonkey]

Wow! As a learner harpist I am incredibly impressed, and hope one day I am able to play with such skill and grace.

[@Nilyore]

Masterfully done. The few rough bits are undistinguishable with the professionalism with which this is played. Bravo

[@persianarch]

beautiful, awesome, tnx for sharing

[@AlxMiNeR]

it wass sooo beautiful!.. thank so much

[@Andreas6t3]

Bravo! really sweetly played

[@photopicker]

beautiful sound, nice work

[@ismaelguarate2416]

Este video es de hace 15 años,todavia la familia Bonet no habia reclamado los derechos sobre la Obra de Carlos Bonet quien la compuso en Caracas Venezuela en el año 1930 .Es un Vals venezolano que habia sido difundido en Argentina,Chile,Peru ,Uruguay,Paraguay con otros nombres y de autor anonimo,hasta que en 1978 un folklorista argentino lo registro con letra y otro nombre

[@MarkHarmer]

Muchas gracias, eso es interesante y me ayuda a entender quién escribió esto.

[@BVargas78]

I love the harp. Possibly my favourite instrument. That or the piano.

[@jgkovac]

beautifully played and beautifully film, from john the daily harp moments guy. truley beautiful

[@harpjams]

Sounds Beautiful

[@rafbassplayer]

wooow the way you play you could tame the biggist of beast :)

[@lordofthestrings_heritage]

very beautiful

[@moscowguitarman]

Very nice. A beautiful tune, beautifully played

[@Photogem01]

Absolutely beautiful. You are an inspiration.

[@KeshoRyu]

This is a wonderful song. It's nice to know that there are other people that learn music by ear like me. I wanted to learn to play the harp a few years back, when my chorus sang accompanied by one, but I never did. My piano teacher says that every piano has a harp caged inside of it. I can sort of see how, because of the strings and shape. Is what she said true?

[@VictorRoseOriginals]

I didn't realize there were latin songs for the harp - thank you - that was beautiful.

[@XquisiteVx]

Wow, that was really nice. Kudos!

[@1503granrey]

brought tears to my eyes

[@photonXspark]

I love this so much. I could just drift away

[@ramesses88]

Absolutely increadibly beautiful!

[@castorinni]

no cabe duda que los uuee no nacieron para esta clase de musica asen falta muchas notas checalo y adelante

[@goomorning]

That was beautiful!

[@crossharps]

Well, if you ever do write your arrangements down, I'll buy them. I even know someone who can publish them! I love your comment on Till Frestersbyn that it needs to be played with a limp! I'm working on arranging Danish folk tunes for harp, so I love that tune! All your videos are great!

[@urbanpoet06]

Beautiful

[@srfa22]

mis disculpas, no me habia percatado. agradecido por la aclaración!!

[@srfa22]

si no me equivoco esa canción se llama "quiero ser tu sombra", en todo caso suena muy bien!!!!

[@thomdrum]

Gorgeous...

[@bunoy20]

nice music to listen to. well done.

[@Ladycroft144]

i'm dying to pick up the harp after 24 years of procrastinating! i hope its not too late to start! might try perhaps a 22 string lap harp to start. this is so beautiful!

[@NewYorkHarpTrio]

Lovely Playing indeed

[@StupidUchihas]

That helped SO MUCH! Thank you!

[@zuleimaplaceres4964]

www.discogs.com/es/Jes%C3%BAs-Sevillano-Canta-Canciones-Venezolanas/release/9941645. El vals se llama la partida, de Carlos Bonnet y en ese Link podrán ver que Jesús Sevillano la grabó en 1969

[@MistressBunyMomo]

wow beautiful, man that looks tuff to play.

[@43grone]

Hermosa interpretación Mark,

[@Orionescape]

Absolutely wonderful!! I loved it!... If only I could play the harp as well... if only.. :(

[@ahmeshito]

Gee!!! I remember hearing this song since i was i child, but i never knew its name!!...I found it by looking for "la partida" played by inti illimani.. anyway!! thank you for the name and for this fantastic interpretation! ;)

[@rlavoyer]

Magnifico!

[@LaurentziuRo]

So beautiful ! Greetings from Romania !

[@XinHun]

beautifull.... thats all i can say

[@YoshixVR]

Really Nice!!! You feel me to play it on my keyboards now!

[@jrpalomo2000]

awesome harp playing man! like an angel!

[@joyinthemorning0819]

So lovely!

[@alvez1]

amazing.

[@astridiato]

Thanks a lot. It is so beautiful... Astrid 5*

[@MajorSecord]

that's a beautiful harp...I want it :D

[@MattysMello]

You make me wish I knew how to play, I love this.

[@arpasonrisa]

I like your version, I am Paraguayan Harpist. Enrique Carrera

[@fazladd]

Love this

[@gagstx1]

wow, wonderful instrmument, beautiful, id play one if i can find one anywhere haha

[@TwoHarps]

Very nice.

[@kaseymitsuri7]

Beautiful! :)

[@harpenedo]

parabensss !!!! Abraços do Brasil!

[@yessicaashurst]

that's amazing. i wish i could learn stuff by ear. If you ever do write it down I would love a link to it!! thanks Yessica

[@MarkHarmer]

Thank you! I haven't put this into sheet music - but obviously you are welcome to learn it from the video.

[@BrentonSucks]

That's a fine looking instrument.

[@crossharps]

Just lovely, Mark! I'd love to see more of your videos! I'd also love to know if you have sheet music of this arrangement available. I'm a harpist, too!

[@floot93]

It's written by Alfredo Ortiz, not by FM Alvarez! (by the way: it's BEAUTIFUL!)

[@jayhoc718]

Beautifully played!! 5*****

[@yessicaashurst]

I wish I was talented enough to learn it by just listening to it. If you do decide to write it down, i'd be happy to pay for it

[@GitanoRenegado]

good stuff