Arpa Peruana

Back from vacation in B.C.  July is turning out to be a busy month for weddings and the like, so for now we’ve got a couple more videos, all the way from Peru!   Considering the harp is one of the oldest instruments in human history, it’s not surprising that nearly every culture has developed its own unique style of harp and harp playing.  Still, it never ceases to amaze me how different each type of harp, and its corresponding technique, can be from each other, and just how much variety there is in the harp world. 

The first one features harpist Otoniel Ccayanchira playing Peruvian Andian music, as well as some traditional dancers. Courtesy of FolkPeru21

The next one features a solo harp piece performed by Florencio Coronado,  followed by a Peruvian folk band and singer (Esmila Zevallos).  Good close-ups of the harpist’s hands at the beginning if you want to check out the traditional Peruvian technique a little more closely.

Courtesy of proansa

Spring is in the air…

Another harpist enjoying the outdoors. This rendition of the Chanter’s song comes to us from Josephine on the Isle of Skye, playing a Seiriol harp.

Sorry the posts have been infrequent lately; been caught up with yard and garden prep while the sun shines. It’s spring here in Southern Ontario, which means the weather is even more fickle than usual, but still oh so tempting to be outside, away from all infernal machines.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoying the great outdoors…

Si Bheag Si Mhor, one of O’Carolan’s most popular tunes, played by Mark Harmer on Celtic harp.

“Flying to the fleadh”, slip jig by Patrick Davey, played by FairyHarper, with “accompaniment by the crows and birds of ireland”.

La Partida on Paraguayan harp

Harpist Mark Hammer playing the Paraguayan harp.   If you want to know more about the harp and the tune he’s playing, he includes a fairly detailed write-up about both here.

Interesting point of trivia: Apparently on Paraguayan harps the C strings are blue, and the F strings are red, the opposite of other harps. Could make things very confusing for us lever harp players!