The Classes:
The TPH Common Room will open from 9:30 for us all to meet each other, have a chat and generally say hello!
Bring your tea/coffee or even your breakfast (we won't judge!).
To get us all going and get those brains and hands in gear, Lucy and Tamsin
will lead us through some of their favourite warm-ups.
T1 - Chords 101: a grounding in essential theory (B)
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It seems so obvious in some ways (and maybe it is, in which case this is possibly not
the class for you!) - we use the word 'chord' all the time. But what exactly, well... IS a chord?
What are these 'inversions' we hear about? What are they for? How do you use them?!
If you've ever been baffled by music theory terms concerning chords, worry not! It really isn't as complicated
as it can seem (we promise!). Come along to a gentle introduction to what chords are and how they work.
This class can be taken alone, but if you'd like to take class L2 (Lead Sheets Demystified) or T3
(how to USE chords) this is intended also to act as a precursor to make sure everyone's comfortable with the terminology that will be used.
The word 'arpeggio' comes from the Italian word 'arpeggiare' which means to 'play harp'.
No wonder so much harp music features arpeggios in some shape or other! Arpeggiated chords,
arpeggio runs... whatever guise they appear in nobody wants a lumpy arpeggio! Ever wondered how
to get them faster? More Even? How DO so many harpists whizz up and down the harp in such a calm
manner whilst their fingers work arpeggio shaped musical magic?! In this session we will cover
what arpeggios are and go through tips and ways to practise to get them smoother, faster, more
controlled and more musical. We will look at some examples of pieces where arpeggios feature and
consider how to tackle them to get the best results. If you are ready to revamp your arpeggios
in a fun and stylish way then this is the class for you!
T2 - Music from the Middle East (ALL)
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If you're into the lever harp, chances are you've played a fair amount of traditional music
from Celtic countries, but how about trying a piece from a very different musical tradition...?
In this workshop we will be looking at one of the most popular pieces from Middle Eastern culture - a
popular traditional song which is a standard of the Oud repertoire.
All players are welcome to this class - the piece will be taught by ear with printed music available.
Lead sheets are a great way to record the basic skeleton of a piece and normally
just feature the melody and chord symbols but where do you begin? How do you know
what all those chord letters mean and how do you know what notes to play?
In this introduction to lead sheets we will go through a step by step approach
on how to work out the chords needed and how to start fitting them to a given
melody. Join Lucy to demystify them and open more musical doors!
T3 How to CHOOSE chords and how to USE them...
Nearly full - don't delay! (I/A)
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So, you have a melody. Or maybe you've written your own. Or perhaps you've
got a tune from YouTube stuck in your head and you've got the fingering down. But what about the chords...?!
If you've ever struggled to put chords to your melodies without
reference to an existing arrangement then this is the class for you!
We'll be building on our knowledge of what chords actually ARE and looking at some guidelines
(we hesitate to say 'rules' because there are no /real/ rules...!) to help you
choose which chords to use if your unsure, or your ears aren't being cooperative!
We'll be looking at a simple tune and we will work together to discuss possible
harmonies (which chords to use) before looking at different ways we might then arrange these chords.
This workshop will be at an intermediate/advanced level but will build on the ideas and knowledge
about chords from class T1, so even if you're not confident about your playing you're very welcome to
come along and get some ideas for when your technique matches your invention!
L3 - Arpeggios in Action (A)
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The 18th century classical harpist and composer, Francois-Joseph Naderman's
compositions are seen as some of the most important works in harp repertoire.
Impressive and beautifully balanced in sound, most of them are bursting with
material made of simple arpeggio and scale patterns but don't be deceived!
The music is elegant but very much in the sense of, 'Be like a swan, graceful
but furiously paddling below the surface'. Taking music from the prelude and
1st movement of the first of his Seven 'Sonates Progressives' we look at how
to put together and practise in a way to get the most even and controlled sound
possible. If you joined the 'Arpeggio Revamp' class we will be building on
techniques explored and seeing those beautiful new arpeggios in action.
It is definitely not a pre-requisite to have come to the class though - this
is open to anyone (lever and pedal harpists) alike who is up for exploring some
beautiful core harp repertoire.
Bring your tea, cake (even a glass of wine) and join Lucy and Tamsin for
a fun, informal tea concert. They will be sharing their usual wide range of
pieces (even some virtual duets!), including some beautiful new pieces that
have been recently published that YOU TOO can have a go at!