Learning O'Carolan's Air - Harp Tuesday Episode 22

[@cberasas]

I've had this book for years and had no idea the songs could be brought to have such glowing resonance. Phenomenal work and thanks for making practice fun!

[@serenas9481]

Josh, I love how you put so much into your playing - no matter the simplicity of the piece. You demonstrate how the slightest nuance makes all the difference in the World to the outcome.

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks so much, Serena!

[@evolenet8039]

Many thanks for a great video. Not only did you make it easy to master this piece, but that little segment at the end ("what do you want to do with this piece") is not said often enough! I love that you've take the time to do this celtic piece as well. We fans might not write under every video but love what you do!

[@JoshLayne]

Aww, thanks Evolene, good to hear :)

[@Maris-W]

I really enjoyed watching this video. I'm pleased you also took the time to explain the importance of experimenting to find your own interpretation of the mood of the music. As a new harp learner, I find I tend to get mechanical in my playing as I concentrate on correct hand positions and fingerngs, almost forgetting about making the magic of music the harp allows.

[@kathryncarson9295]

Thank you Josh! Your videos are great and I love the way you examine pieces, so useful for a neophyte like myself. I really appreciate how you care about the music and the subtle ways to play the harp.

[@nataschahenderson6198]

Josh, you´re wonderful. I jut bought a collection of Carolans work and wanted to listen to some interpretations, this one came up and I love it! It´s beautiful and enriching to see you play. Thanks so much!

[@ChucklesKeys]

Thanks for taking the time to show the fingering and hand positions.

[@TyraMyHilda]

Yesterday I got my first little harp and I think your videos are perfect to look at and learn from!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying/finding the videos helpful :)

[@alfredbooth6854]

Came back to this today, seated at my harp and learned it decently. I’m not usually a rote learner, and it will be interesting to see if my aural memory is enough to stimulate the physical gestures at the harp later on today. My only problem is the smoothness between the octave jump and the following d-minor chord. My hand finds the shapes one after the other more easily if the octave is not broken. That, of course, is a good way to work. Thank you for your great teaching skills.

[@Moet2200]

I thought I had a good handle on the song until I heard your beautiful version. I am now going to practice more. Thank you for taking the time to record this. Bree

[@akzidentz0]

Josh, thank you for this channel and taking your time to film these tutorials. I only started playing harp recently and I was so happy to find your channel - it is always great help and inspiration!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks! Always great to hear :)

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks Liza, good luck and have fun with your harp!

[@Meltiqueful]

I really love your videos! Please keep doing them!

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks Amelia! :) Bit of a hiatus but I have a new Harp Tuesday episode planned for this coming Tuesday!

[@JoshLayne]

Hi, the lever harp I play is a very old Aoyama 130, though they no longer make it with a straight column. Glad you're enjoying the videos! -josh

[@JoshLayne]

Thanks! In my episode on memorization I play "Flower in the Valley" from the same book - might enjoy that too:)

[@JoshLayne]

Thank you!

[@Sarah4Celtic]

Beautiful piece and video on it. Thank you! Unfortunately my harp has no leavers so I was wondering whether one could just play those chords without the sharpened F?

[@JoshLayne]

Yes, for sure! Will sound different (a D minor chord rather than a D major) but that's ok. You could also just omit the F in the LH and play just the A and D.

[@Sarah4Celtic]

@@JoshLayne Thank you so much for your reply! Really appreciate it!

[@Meltiqueful]

What type of harp do you play? Your videos are amazing! Please continue to record them!

[@genay33]

Love your videos

[@JoshLayne]

genay33 Thank you!

[@laetitiacroft]

Merci ! :)

[@vicenteharpantiqua]

Excellent videos! I am trying to figure what Carolan's composition is that lovely melody...can you tell us the name? Thank you.

[@JoshLayne]

+Vicente harpantiqua This is an excellent question! I wish I knew the answer :( The song is from Betty Paret's "First Harp Book" and she doesn't give any details other than calling it O'Carolan's Air. I've done a little research and come up empty, so if you manage to track down more details please share! :)

[@vicenteharpantiqua]

Thanks Josh for your reply! I tried to find it among Carolans compositions, but couldnt find that melody,..so maybe is a melody composed after Carolan...¿? Anyway, is a beauty piece! Thanks

[@Rachelhkharp]

Wonderful :)

[@WinryRockbellElric]

Firstly: You are so helpful with telling how to move across the harp and it sounds beautiful. :) I am definitely going to be watching your videos. But, secondly, I am broke and I don't know which harp I can get that is nice but won't starve my emaciated piggy bank! I'm pretty new to harp (I can play a few songs I figured out by ear and know how it works and stuff), and there aren't really any harps nearby where I live. I've always been cautious about buying instruments online. Help??? :D

[@JoshLayne]

J. Lois Blair Hi Lois - yes, an excellent question! I am planning on doing a Harp Tuesday episode on buying a harp. There are an overwhelming number of options out there. If at all possible renting is a great option, otherwise in general I would suggest either going with something like a "Harpsicle" (small-26 string - no levers, but enough to get started - keeping in mind that it definitely has limitations) or biting the bullet and getting a 33 or 34 string, fully levered harp (perhaps second hand...). Be wary of super cheap harps - you usually get what you pay for. Anyway, a very good subject and one that I hope to address in more detail soon!

[@WinryRockbellElric]

Thank you for the help! I'll definitely check out that video! :)

[@xinyingjiang7980]

How beautiful this harp is!! Could you tell me what is the name of this harp??

[@JoshLayne]

Hi, it's a pretty old Aoyama, model 130 I believe

[@lars526]

Do you know where I can maybe find a songbook of O'Carolan's sheet music? I'd like to start learning his music on piano, but I haven't had any luck searching online.

[@JoshLayne]

The primary sources of O'Carolan's music is the Edward Bunting collection, and it can be found for free on IMSLP.org: imslp.org/wiki/The_Ancient_Music_of_Ireland_(Bunting%2C_Edward) Two other sources: Lots of music here: www.oldmusicproject.com/occ/tunes.html thessesion.org is a great resource, here's a link to Carolan's Concerto, for example: thesession.org/tunes/788

[@lars526]

@@JoshLayne - Much appreciated sir!!!

[@Rachelhkharp]

and I HAVE THAT BOOK