Building on our March 4 session, we will be practicing playing MODAL improvisations. Unlock the expressive potential of the harp through modal exploration and collaborative learning. This workshop provides a dedicated space to deepen your understanding of modes and share your musical discoveries with fellow harpists.

• Modal Exploration:
  • Delve into the seven diatonic modes and their unique sonic qualities.
  • Engage in guided exercises to create modal vamps and improvise melodies.
  • Understand the harmonic relationships between modes.
  • Focus on practical applications and personal connection with each mode.
• Sharing and Collaboration:
  • Opportunity to share your modal explorations in a supportive environment.
  • Receive and offer constructive feedback to fellow harpists.
  • Collective learning and inspiration through diverse interpretations.
  • Emphasis on a non-performance, collaborative sharing experience.

 

Discover the rich and expressive world of modes in this engaging harp workshop!

Whether you’re new to modes or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will guide you through the unique sounds and characteristics of each mode. You’ll learn how to identify and play them on the harp, explore their emotional qualities, and experiment with modal improvisation.

Through hands-on exercises and simple patterns, you’ll gain confidence in using modes to enhance your playing and creativity.

This workshop is designed for harpists of all levels who want to break free from traditional major and minor scales and add new colors to their music. You’ll receive practical tips for recognizing modes by ear, creating modal melodies, and incorporating them into your repertoire.

By the end of the session, you’ll have the tools to confidently explore modes in your own playing, whether for improvisation, composition, or arranging.

 

 

Discover how to transform your harp improvisations into expressive musical journeys with the power of phrasing. In this one-hour interactive PlayShop, we’ll explore techniques to shape your musical ideas, add emotional depth, and captivate your listeners.

Through guided exercises, we’ll focus on:

• Understanding phrasing as a storytelling tool.
• Using dynamics, tempo, and articulation to create contrast and flow.
• Experimenting with pauses and breath to shape musical sentences.
• Adapting phrasing concepts to different musical styles, including classical, jazz, and folk-inspired improvisation.

This workshop is designed for harpists with some basic improvisation experience who want to enhance their musical expression. Bring your harp, an open mind, and be ready to play! You’ll leave with practical tools to make your improvisations more engaging and meaningful.

 

 

This PlayShop will guide you in developing your improvisational skills on the harp. We’ll explore key concepts that will be further developed in my upcoming book, “The Improvising Harpist Cookbook,” which will offer a collection of “recipes” for creating unique and inspiring harp improvisations. In this workshop, we’ll delve into:

• Chord Inversions: Learn to play chords in different inversions to add harmonic depth and color to your improvisations. We’ll work with common chord progressions in various keys.
• Dice-Driven Exploration: Utilize dice rolls to introduce an element of chance and spontaneity into your improvisations. This will encourage creativity and help you break free from predictable patterns. (Thank you and vielen dank to Stefanie Bieber!)
• Metronome Work: Develop rhythmic precision and control by improvising with a metronome set at 75-80 beats per minute.
• Technical Focus: Enhance your technical agility and speed with exercises from the “Agility and Speed” book, pages 16-18, using a metronome at 65 bpm.

This workshop is suitable for harpists of all levels who are eager to expand their improvisational horizons.