Music and More

Harp music is identical to piano music. I took piano lessons for four years before I began playing the harp. This provided me with all the music theory I needed. One major difference between harp and piano is that you never use your pinkie finger to play any notes on the harp. This makes all the fingering, quite different from the piano. Harpists often mark their music with the number of the finger above the note and other signs to help themselves remember the fingering.  I have thoroughly enjoyed playing many of my piano pieces on the harp.

There are many different styles of music including Celtic, Jazz, Classical, and various other cultural styles.  The main two categories are Classical and Celtic. Someone playing classical music is typically considered a harpist. As apposed to a harper - someone who plays celtic music. The type of harp played also distinguishes harpists from harpers. Harpist use pedal harps, and harpers use lever harps. Many harpist play in the symphony or orchestra earning a steady paycheck.  They are extremely strict in their techinque, and play pedals with the largest soundboard to project the most sound and depth of tone as possible.  Harpers, on the other hand, may play as soloist, or with Celtic type group. Their harps are often much smaller and sit on their lap. Technique is not a main focus for them, and their music is much more soulful.  See the differences between this well know classical harpist and a world renowned celtic harper for yourself. Tomoko Sato has played with the Honolulu Symphony and the Pacific Symphony, and Sylvia Woods is a soloist harper who won the All-Ireland Harp Championship in 1980. 

Don't worry I haven't forgotten about jazz harpist, and harp therapy is a whole other category. I'll post some more about them soon. As for now, thanks for reading! Please leave questions and comments!