Fundamentals of playing the early Irish harp – 1

There is more than one Irish harp. The modern Irish or ‘Celtic’ harp, usually strung in nylon, is a distinct instrument from the earlier Irish harp, strung in brass wire. In this introductory talk, you will discover the differences between these two harps, together with the different posture and playing techniques required for each. You will also be introduced to the most significant source of Irish harp repertory, so that you can access and explore this rich treasure further for yourself in the future.

In this session you will learn the First Tune traditionally taught to beginner harpers in the eighteenth century: Máilí Bhán [‘Fair Molly’]. You will have a rare opportunity to see the actual music copied down directly from an old Irish harper in the 1790s by Edward Bunting, the collector who saved the music of some of the last Irish harpers in the old tradition. This session will introduce you to the techniques that are vital for playing the long-resonating brass-wire strings of the early Irish harp.

In this session we will explore a tune said to be by Turlough Carolan (1670–1738), the most famous early Irish harper. We will see an 18th-century manuscript version, comparing it with one in an Irish music collection from the 1800s, now in the USA. We will also work on our first melodic ornament, from Edward Bunting’s harp ‘Graces’ in his 1840 publication: The Ancient Music of Ireland.

We will recap. the work we did in session 3. Now, we may also work on fleshing out the melody by adding a simple but historically plausible 'lower hand' to the hand that is playing the melody.  

This session will introduce you to a song air notated directly from the playing of an old Irish harper in the 1790s. You will now begin to understand why Bunting’s published arrangements are not reliable sources for anyone interested in old Irish harp music, and why his field transcriptions – such as this one – are so vital because they are much closer to what the old Irish harpers played. Diarmuid Ó Dúda is a great piece to work on to further develop your new-found early Irish harping skills.

We will recap. the work we did in session 5. Now, we may also work on fleshing out the melody by adding a simple, historically plausible 'lower hand'.