Progressive Lessons for Early Gaelic Harp

a tutor book by Simon Chadwick

These web pages are a companion for my new book, Progressive Lessons for Early Gaelic Harp. Click here to order your copy.

The way that an instrument is held greatly affects the way it is played. In this respect, I would say that the early Gaelic harp is different from modern harps, like a cello is different from a guitar. Of course you can lay a cello across your lap, and strum some chords, and finger a melody, but you'll not learn anything about cello playing that way.

Orientation: Early Gaelic harps were played with a left orientation. Click for pages with historical information.

Fingernails: In medieval times, all harps were played with long fingernails. From the 17th century onwards, it became more fashionable to cut the nails short and use the tips of the fingers. The hand position and playing style for early Gaelic harp is the same whether nails are long or short - the only difference is in the tone produced. Nails make a sharper and louder tone, more suited to medieval and modal music; finger tips make a softer and more delicate sound, better suited to baroque and later repertory. Click here for more on nails.

photo of Patrick Byrne, c.1850

Next: Tuning

Comments? Questions? Want to find out more?
lessons in St Andrews, Dundee & Edinburgh
One-to-one tuition at home, anywhere in the world: online video lessons using Skype
Every August in Kilkenny, Ireland: Scoil na gCláirseach - Summer School of Early Irish Harp