The Celtic Harp: Magical Music |
When I got my hands on a borrowed Celtic harp in 1999, I knew it was the instrument I'd been waiting for.
An instrument whose lyrical voice speaks straight to your heart.
An instrument whose rich and resonant sound has the power to soothe and to heal, instantly creating an atmosphere of peace.
As soon as I could play a simple tune, other people were also enchanted.
This is known as the "harp effect."
The harp effect is how I went from being a novice in my own living room to playing my first wedding, even before I had the benefit of a wise and wonderful teacher.
The harp effect is also what I come back to, every time I sit at the harp, even when the music I’m playing is jazz or rock or a fast jig rather than the sweet music that everyone associates with the Celtic harp.
Photo by Ingrid Greenberg
Since I fell in love with the harp, I’ve had the benefit of many lessons, workshops, and countless opportunities to play. I’ve learned to improvise at dances, while jamming with a Celtic band, and at the bedside of hospital and hospice patients.
I’ve tried most of the sheet music published for Celtic harp, and built repertoire for background gigs, weddings, and numerous other events, both as a soloist and as part of a flute and Celtic harp duo. (I love musical collaboration so much that I play regularly with a fabulous flutist for wedding and background gigs. If you want to, you can check us out by clicking the Harp & Flute button, at left).
I've written arrangements and original compositions for solo harp, as well as harp with voice or other instruments. And I’ve become a teacher, in turn, to students of all ages who want to directly experience the magic of the Celtic harp. My students bring me such joy and inspiration that I can't help but want to share it with you!
This website grew out of my wish to contribute to this flow of information, and to honor our wonderful community where veterans and beginners rub shoulders (especially after leaning harps there all day!) and freely share what they know out of their love for the Celtic harp.
And so, this site is for You
Whether you want to learn to play the harp or you already play it, you'll find inspiration in these pages. I’ll be including the best of what I’ve learned or discovered, from playing those first sweet notes to improvising patterns and using basic music theory to create new arrangements. If it’s something I want my students to study or practice, it will be here for you as well.
If you already play the Celtic harp, there will be great ideas here to keep you jazzed and inspired. These include suggestions for repertoire, advanced techniques, special effects, music theory, songwriting and arranging, as well as using the harp to heal as a therapeutic musician.
Please contact me with your questions and suggestions about what else you would like to see on this site. I’m here to help you find whatever answers and inspiration you need as you follow your own delightful journey with the Celtic harp!
| Harp's Delight Blog The latest news, resources and tips for lovers of the Celtic harp. |
| Celtic Harp and Flute Duo of San Diego Celtic harp and flute music for your San Diego wedding or event. Celtic, classical, popular and diverse music for an unforgettable occasion. |
| Celtic Harps: Discover Even More Magic Want to know more about Celtic harps and how to play them? Here's a unique free ezine of playing tips, music sources, ideas for improvising, practice hints and news from My Harp's Delight. |
| Learn to Play the Harp: Celtic Harp 101 Learn to play the harp! Here's your Celtic Harp 101 page, with free online harp lessons for beginners. |
| Celtic Harp Lessons with San Diego Teacher Susan Zevenbergen San Diego Harp Teacher Susan Zevenbergen offers you Celtic harp lessons tailored to your needs, regardless of previous musical experience. Get a free online or in-person lesson, find a teacher. |
| Online Harp Lessons Via Skype Take online harp lessons from your own living room anywhere in the world via free Skype software! |
| Learning Styles and Learning Music Find out how to use learning styles to help you learn music and harp techniques. |
| Celtic Harp FAQ What makes a Celtic harp? What are those levers for? Answers to these and all your other questions are here in the Celtic harp FAQ |
| Harp-Playing Tips Techniques and harp-playing tips for Celtic harpists at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Practicing, performing, improvising, music theory, arranging and composing music. |
| Buying a Celtic Harp Buying a Celtic harp: what to look for and avoid when selecting an instrument. |
| Free Sheet Music for Celtic Harp Here are the best sites for free sheet music suitable for the Celtic harp, including Celtic music, classical music, Christmas music and contemporary originals. |
| Digital Sheet Music for Harp Where to find digital sheet music especially for harp to download and print |
| Celtic Harp Sheet Music Celtic harp sheet music. What's on your music stand? Find new ideas, reviews, and repertoire suggestions here. |
| Music Theory for the Celtic Harp: Tips and Resources This is your hub for Music Theory that applies to the Celtic harp. Tunings, keys, modes, chords, circle of fifths, rhythm--everything you need to understand making music on the Celtic harp. |
| Harp Fun I've found lots of resources for harp fun: quotes, jokes, music games, and harp clip art. |
| Therapeutic Harp, Healing Music Therapeutic harp: discover the effects of live, healing music on patients, family and staff. |
| Celtic Harp Links Celtic harp links, from harpmakers to harp history to music theory and songwriting. |
| Website Magic I found help to work some website magic and a way to use my talents, serve my clients and build my business. You can, too! |
| Harp Teacher: About Me My journey to becoming a harp teacher with a website, and why anyone can be a musician. |
| Contact Us Use the Contact Us form to ask questions and to suggest new topics for My Harp's Delight, the website for those who love the Celtic harp. |
