Harping in the Pacific NW

The Irish Harp: Originally this frame harp was made up of a sound box carved from a single piece of wood, a pillar curving outward, and 30 to 36 metal strings, played with the fingernails. Today's harpers play a gut-string version with their fingertips. Irish legend credits the harp with magical powers, and as the Guinness logo reminds us today, it has long been symbolic of the island. (It was under Henry VIII in the 1520s that the instrument first appeared on coins.) Known in Gaelic as the clairseach or cruit, the harp has been played in Ireland since the 8th century. Harpers were a musical elite of expertly trained musicians attached to kings and chiefs. They wrote music on command, all of which passed by ear from player to player. Harps often accompanied the recitation of epic poetry and genealogies -- typical entertainment at court. After the fall of the Gaelic order in the 16th century, most harpers lost their aristocratic patrons and became itinerant musicians or had to abandon the art altogether. The few who found support among the new Anglo-Irish gentry came under the influence of baroque classical music, which was all the rage in Europe at the time. The hundred or so surviving tunes of the greatest of 18th century harpers, O'Carolan, clearly reflect his regard for the Italian composer Corelli. The harp tradition more or less disappeared in the 19th century and remained lost until its current revival.

From CCEnews/yahoo groups.

Local Harp Circles

Vancouver WA Harp Circle - contact Jennifer Pratt-Walter lyrica8@comcast.net for date/time/place.

Local Harp Teachers

Vancouver WA - Jennifer Pratt-Walter, 693-4715 and Valerie Blessley, 574-5555.

NW Harpists

Harp Makers/Shops

Blessley Instruments	Vancouver WA
Dusty Strings	Seattle WA
Enchanted Harp	Puyallup WA
Magical Strings	Seattle WA
Classic Harps Northwest	Portland OR
Sandpiper Instruments	Coquille OR

Harp Events

• O'Carolan Harp & Cultural Festival
  Harp Festival held every October in Nobber, Co Meath, Ireland - The Birthplace of O'Carolan 
  
• O'Carolan Harp & Traditional Music Festival
  The O'Carolan Harp Competition and Traditional Music Festival has been held in Keadue, County Roscommon, Ireland, since 1978 and was initiated to commemorate Turlough O'Carolan, known as the last of the Irish Bards 

More Harp Resources

International Society of
Folk Harpers and Craftsmen

The Harp Mall

Sylvia Woods Harp Center

Tourlough O'Carolan

Welcome to the Harp Portal

Harp.Net - Irish Harp web site

Reigning Harps - Puget Sound Harp Society

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