The first idea works well if there's a harper in the story. Then you can tell,
and when it gets time for the harper to play, ta da! If you've worked up a
story from a ballad, then you've already got music to go with it. If not, try
to find something that fits, and that you're comfortable with. It helps if you
can keep from bouncing back and forth between the two like a ping pong ball.
Varying the time you spend on each segment is one way.
The second idea is a bit harder, but the harp has more of a presence in the
story. I often use it for background or to set a mood, then I use it at key
points. Now I generally use this method when the story's about a harper, so at
some points in the story I can just concentrate on the music. For the
background bit, it should be music you can play with your eyes closed. I do
mean closed. Your major goal is to tell a story at this point, so you have to
have contact with your audience. And you can't do that if you're looking at
your strings. If you flub, keep going; it wasn't a mistake, it was an
improvisation, so repeat it a couple of times so if the audience noticed,
they'll think you meant it.
Sources. Child ballads are a good place to start. Scots, Irish, Welsh, Manx,
etc. stories and songs are also good places to look. You might check out back
issues of the Folk Harp Journal and Harpa (sorry I don't have the addresses
with me at the time.) Oh, another good one is the Historical Harp Society.
Nancy Thym Hochrein has presented at several conferences - wonderful telling
with the Harp.
Good luck and have fun!
Deb Mercurio
djmercur@eos.ncsu.edu
On Feb 5, Hannah Eagleson wrote:
> >I am a student trying to find information on telling stories with harp
music.
> >I'm writing a research paper on storytelling with the harp, and I would also
> >like to tell with my harp.
> >
> >I e-mailed Barbara Jacob-McDowell (also known as Barra the Bard), and she
> >suggested that I write you. Do you have any suggestions or ideas for telling
> >with the harp? Also, do you know of any magazines or newsletters which have
> >articles on storytelling with the harp? My mother would like me to do
> >research in a magazine or newsletter as well as in books.
-- djmercur@eos.ncsu.edu