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, exploring the different tunes and styles available to us as harpists.
STANDARD: LEARNER, IMPROVER, CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £402 Non-Resident: £292 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/263
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 9am on Monday 16 December 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is the course about?
We will be learning traditional and popular repertoire on the harp, both by ear and from score.
Tutor websites: wwww.stephwest.co.uk and Brenda Dor-Groot
What will we cover?
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.
For Oct 2025, Brenda, blues harp specialist, will be leading us through various styles and accompaniment patterns. Enjoy slow blues, boogie woogie and jazz blues, work on your swing rhythms and bass lines, and have fun with lever slides.
Steph will work on traditional music waltzes from England, Ireland and Europe. Ideally suited to a harp tempo, these melodies are really pretty and give us great scope for accompaniments and arrangements.
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.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
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Play at least one waltz and one blues tune!
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Take home more pieces in each style
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Play a part in a harp ensemble
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Work on rhythm patterns and accompaniments
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Explore using your levers
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is aimed at Elementary and Improver plus (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.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course will be taught in a group with no preparation required. We will learn a tune in small sections, exploring fingering and memorising as we go. Time will be allowed for private practise inside the classroom, with tutor feedback given as we go. Sheet music will be provided during the session.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
No, it will be provided by the tutor on the course.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Please 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.
What previous participants said about this course…
“A chance to play and participate at whatever level in small and larger group sessions with wonderful teachers who are great professional players themselves. A variety of music. Also fun to associate other harpists, plus a session in the bar with fiddlers!”
“Outstanding, inspiring teaching.”
“Lots of variety. Very skilled teaching. Something for everyone, from relative beginners to quite advanced.”
“Great fun, not at all intimidating even if you're not very competent at lever harp.”