The Clarsach and Folk Harp Course 

Now a regular feature of our calendar, the Clarsach Society again joins forces with Benslow Music for this unique course for Celtic and folk harpists. 

Lily’s classes introduce melodies handpicked from the rich music traditions of Eastern Europe.  We’ll explore repertoire in contrasting modes, odd time signatures, and arrangement ideas.  From powerful melodies that can be played as solo instrumentals, to dances that can be approached as a means of exploring accompaniment and ensemble ideas, we’ll cover lots of musical ground.

Steph will work on gorgeous traditional melodies found in Ireland and Scotland, from Gaelic song to ancient harper’s airs collected at the Belfast Harp Festival. These melodies go from the simple to a complex to suit each group. We will look at ornamentation and how to make slower melodies sing out on the harp.

Both tutors will use a mixture of score and ear work, with music to take away.

We have an informal concert on Saturday night where you can bring a piece to play or sit back and enjoy the music, and a sharing session on Sunday to hear what each group has been working on. 

Most sessions will be taught in two groups, with the two tutors alternating between the groups. We have an informal concert on Saturday night where you can bring a piece to play or sit back and enjoy the music, and a sharing session on Sunday to hear what each group has been working on.

By the end of this course you will be able to…

• Take home pieces to play in each style
• Play a part in a harp ensemble
• Recognise hallmarks of repertoire from the music traditions of Eastern Europe
• Play accompaniment patterns in various time signatures with confidence 
• Learn about the history of Bunting and the Belfast Harp Festival
• Understand how you can arrange for slower melodies for harp

The course will be taught in a group with no preparation required. We will learn a tune in small sections, exploring fingering and strengthening our parts as we go. Time will be allowed for private practice inside the classroom, with tutor feedback given as we go. 

This course is aimed at players Grade 1 - 5+. The minimum requirement is to have been playing for one year and to be able to play an easy song with a simple left hand.

We work in two groups. Group 1 is for Learners (Grade 1 - 2) who mostly work on song airs and slow to medium tunes. Group 2 is for Improvers / Confident (Grade 3 - 5 +), where we’ll tackle faster tunes and more complicated arrangements. 

No, music will be provided by the tutor on the course. Just bring your harp and a recording device if you would like to take recordings of the tunes away with you. Music for each tune will be provided at the end of the weekend. 

It may be possible to borrow or hire a harp from the Clarsach Society. Be in touch with Benslow if you would like any help with this.