1 comments about Irish Dance Tunes for All Harps.

1. Irish Dance Tunes for All Harps by Sylvia Woods.

   All of Sylvia's harp arrangements have a "high playability" rating with me. Believe me when I say this because I have looked at, and purchased a lot of harp music over the years. No one can arrange for the harp the way Sylvia can! This book is a perfect example of being able to make playable complicated Irish jigs, slip jigs, reels and hornpipes for those of us who are not "professional" harp players. This traditional music gets all of our collective toes tapping. Two introductions are included to help the novice better understand the nature and spirit of Irish dance tunes. I have had a lot of fun, and challenge, from the pieces in this book. It also includes one of my FAVORITE AIRS, Carrickfergus.

No comments about Mel Bay's Hymns for Harmonica [Diatonic, Cross-Harp, and Chromatic].

1 comments about Music Theory Made Easy for Blues / Rock Harp (Harmonica).

1. I found this book fairly interesting in the sense that it is the first book that I have seen that gives an actual definition of harmonica positions based upon actual music theory. I think most harmonica lovers will definitely get something out of this book.

No comments about Mel Bay Kim Robertson: Celtic Harp Solos.

1 comments about 52 Scottish Songs For All Harps.

1. Yes, there are OTHER tunes a folk harper can play! While the focus of the past ten years has been on Irish music, Sylvia Woods reminds us that celtic-type harps originated in Scotland and were played there in antiquity.

   The book has about 50 tunes, each one arranged for a beginner and also for more experienced players. So, you can choose the level at which you are most comfortable without worrying that the knowledge and technique required to play the tune (slides, glissandos, cross-overs/unders, etc) will prevent you from playing it well.

   My goal is to learn all of the easy arrangements and then progress to the more difficult ones.

   Sylvia Woods has ferreted out a great selection of old tunes from Scotland (many from Robert Burns) as an alterative to Irish music. A great book to have, if only to remind yourself that the harp has been played for hundreds of years in other countries as well as Ireland! Also, it's nice to be able to play something unexpected, if you play for others.

1 comments about Mel Bay Qwikguide: Basic Blues Harp BCD (Qwikguide).

1. For less than ten bucks, you really can not go wrong with this book. There are 54 songs, each one complete with harp in one channel and a backing tracking the other channel, written sheet music and tab. All the songs are in the key of G played in cross-harp, which means you need a harmonica in the key of C.
   
   The first songs are very simple and progress gradually to very nice arrangements of simple blues tunes and folk songs. Songs include: When the Saints; Old Time Religion; Amazing Grace; Lonesome Road Blues and St Louis Blues. I am amazed at how much better I am getting by having a really good book.
   
   This little book is a not a complete guide to the harmonica. There are only a couple pages of introduction with very limited explanation of vibrato and bending.
   
   I love this little book and recommend it highly.

No comments about Mel Bay Presents Gospel Harp.

1 comments about Baroque Music for the Harp.

1. Where to start, where to start... I've played piano for 30 years now, and lever harp for about two months, and was able to jump right into this book. The arrangements are delightful - in particular, I've been working on Handel's Hornpipe from Water Music, and the Spring and Summer arrangements from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. She's done a beautiful job with the arrangements, and I've found them easily adaptible to my 22-string harp. The fingerings seem pretty sound (I've changed a few to fit my piano fingers), the print layout/font is easy-to-read, and the keys are relatively simple - mostly C, G, D. Lever changes seem to be placed will in-advance of the accidental, for the most part.
   
   That being said, this isn't a beginner's book. It requires some theory and an ability to read bass and treble clef simultaneously (if you've had piano, you shouldn't find it too difficult).
   
   I will definitely purchase more of Friou's books in the future. I already own her exercises for agility and speed, and have found them very helpful!

No comments about Masters of the Blues Harp: Note-for-Note Transcriptions from Classic Recorded Performances.

2 comments about Blues Harp.

1. Tony "Little Sun" Glover is a white boy what know. This beginner's guide to the low down world of blues harp makes the right recommendation up front -- "One of the best ways to learn the techniques is to listen, listen, listen, listen every chance you get." Now that's advice that delivers on its promise in a most pleasing way. In between times, Little Sun's book will introduce you to the basics that will launch you on one of life's most satisfying journeys -- blowin' harp.



2. I used this book as a teen to learn Blues Harp, that was, sad to say, 30 years ago. The experience of learning with this book was a lot of fun, still remembered clearly, and effective, I still play and enjoy it.

   You want to learn Blues Harp (of course, you do), get this book. Can't miss.