Congratulations for playing this with such (seeming) ease. I'm one week into my harp journey and if I can play something like this in one year's time I'll be an incredibly happy woman. Fingers crossed. No, not crossed... that won't help with playing! 😂
Thanks so much Rijima! You'll get there with some patience and determination. My advice is to take it slow and really try to have a firm grasp on the basics.
I 100% agree, it's a hard piece. I actually chose this piece to work on because it's the fastest song I've had to play. Initially the buzzing was terrible. It's such a fun piece though.
Awesome job! I'm practising this one now and it's harder than it looks! Lots of stuff to work on. But it's fun. It's especially interesting that you can put your own solo in it and I really enjoyed hearing what you came up with.
Completely agree, it’s a lot more challenging than it initially looks. I didn’t know a lot about music theory at the time of recording but it was fun to be creative. I hope you’re enjoying learning the piece
Hi. Great job. I'm a beginner. And even though this is listed as an elementary piece, it is way too hard for me. Maybe I'll wait until I have a year under my belt to try it again. Do you work with a teacher too, or just the videos? Any suggestions on how to learn this piece for beginners?
Thanks Man. I've heard others on our Facebook group say the same, it's challenging piece to play fast. I was at the year mark when I recorded this and it was still tough. I have a teacher who I see twice a month and then just do extra pieces for fun. My suggestion is when starting completely slow down the tempo and focus more on how your hands are placing and working together, gradually get faster. Also break it up into sections rather than try and learn the whole thing at once. That's what I did and it helped a lot.
@@derekharpson Thank you so much!! :) I was wondering what do you think of it? :) It sounds lovely from your videos! Is it a harp you would recommend to a beginner but also someone who is looking to just get a good harp and not have to upgrade in the future? :)
@@imagineoceans Definitely, it's a great all-around harp. I think it's a great harp to learn on and, if you are aiming to stick with Lever harps it could be a forever harp. Most Celtic and classical arrangements for Lever Harp will use 34 strings (the range of the Mia) so you shouldn't have a challenge with needing more strings. I'd say that it can play both Celtic and classical pieces quite well. Mine stays in tune quite well. and the levers are okay, I think they are easy enough to use, however you have to break them in so that they become smooth. I also liked the idea of being able to string either Nylon or Gut on the harp (I'm using Nylon). I'm actually going to be progressing to a pedal harp soon, but if I wasn't I'd be more than happy with the Mia. When I purchased this harp I had tried a few others (Dusty Strings, Lyon and Healy, Aoyama) but this was the best harp for my price range. Is it going to be able to compete with a harp that is 3 times it's price? No, but the price range it's a great value and I learned a lot from the Mia.
@@derekharpson Thank you SO much for such a detailed reply!! :') it's so good to hear from someone who owns a Mia and got to try different harps because there aren't any harp stores near me so I'm relying on sound clips from UA-cam! :) So far Mia is my top choice (although the Ravenna 34 is another option) but I think after reading your comment (and also from someone else who mentioned how much she loves her Mia), I think this is what I'll go with! :) I don't have plans to move to a pedal harp one day so I hope my Mia will be my forever harp. :) Thank you so much once again for taking the time to type out everything and let me know your thoughts about this harp! :)
@@imagineoceans I'm happy to help! I tried the Revenna 34 and it was a great harp too. I found that the Revenna sounded brighter while the Mia was more mellow and deep. I also really liked that the Mia had a more even sound going from the bass strings to the higher register. Salvi and Lyon and Healy also have an exchange program so if you wanted to move to a larger harp they'll apply the price you paid for your original harp to the cost of your new one. Looking back I'd still choose the Mia over the harps I tried when I was looking.
Love this one, great playing
Thanks so much Aine, I can't wait to here you play again
Fun, love it!
Thanks!
Sooooo good!
Thanks!
Great progress!
Thanks!
That's really beautiful played. It's a tricky one and then adding improvisation is awesome 👍.
Thanks so much!
Congratulations for playing this with such (seeming) ease. I'm one week into my harp journey and if I can play something like this in one year's time I'll be an incredibly happy woman. Fingers crossed. No, not crossed... that won't help with playing! 😂
Thanks so much Rijima! You'll get there with some patience and determination. My advice is to take it slow and really try to have a firm grasp on the basics.
@@derekharpson thanks, that’s good advice. If I can play one tune really well in a year, I’d take that over a few tunes played badly 😄🤞🏼
Love, love your improvisational sections. Great job.
Thanks so much Mary, it's definitely not something I was comfortable with ago 3 months ago.
Great job. I actually find this one really tricky for a "simple" piece.
I 100% agree, it's a hard piece. I actually chose this piece to work on because it's the fastest song I've had to play. Initially the buzzing was terrible. It's such a fun piece though.
@@derekharpson Agreed, it's really neat how the melody pops out among all the notes, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who found it a challenge.
@@samanthathompson9812 No it was a challenge for sure! I love the melody and how it alternates between Left and Right hands.
@@derekharpson Exactly!
Awesome job! I'm practising this one now and it's harder than it looks! Lots of stuff to work on. But it's fun. It's especially interesting that you can put your own solo in it and I really enjoyed hearing what you came up with.
Completely agree, it’s a lot more challenging than it initially looks. I didn’t know a lot about music theory at the time of recording but it was fun to be creative. I hope you’re enjoying learning the piece
So glad you took up the harp. It is a wonderful instrument!! Healing, calming,and sometimes frustrating all at the same time. 😁
Haha exactly! I feel all three most days I practice, it's work it though.
Very impressive, Derek. Your hard work is really paying off.
Thanks so much Mrs. Inglis. I've always appreciated the love of music you helped instill in me when I was younger.
It sounds much better when you play it than when I do.
I’ve heard your videos and they are great!
@@derekharpson Than you. I'm both pleased with my progress and frustrated with it at the same time......
It's been great hearing your progress throughout the year. This piece is beautiful.
Thank you so much Stephanie!
Good progress for one year! I chose to learn Flight of the Heron for my first performance piece. I still love it!
Thanks so much! I love this piece, I definitely think I'll keep it in my repertoire
Nicely done.
Thanks so much, still learning and always improving but I'm really enjoying the process.
Complements. Happy Anniversary your progress is wonderful
Thank you so much Connie, you continue to inspire me to be confident and share the journey
Hi. Great job. I'm a beginner. And even though this is listed as an elementary piece, it is way too hard for me. Maybe I'll wait until I have a year under my belt to try it again. Do you work with a teacher too, or just the videos? Any suggestions on how to learn this piece for beginners?
Thanks Man. I've heard others on our Facebook group say the same, it's challenging piece to play fast. I was at the year mark when I recorded this and it was still tough. I have a teacher who I see twice a month and then just do extra pieces for fun. My suggestion is when starting completely slow down the tempo and focus more on how your hands are placing and working together, gradually get faster. Also break it up into sections rather than try and learn the whole thing at once. That's what I did and it helped a lot.
Wonderful job! :) May I ask, are you playing a Salvi Mia? :)
Thanks so much! Yes, the harp is Salvi Mia, if you have any questions about the harp let me know.
@@derekharpson Thank you so much!! :) I was wondering what do you think of it? :) It sounds lovely from your videos! Is it a harp you would recommend to a beginner but also someone who is looking to just get a good harp and not have to upgrade in the future? :)
@@imagineoceans Definitely, it's a great all-around harp. I think it's a great harp to learn on and, if you are aiming to stick with Lever harps it could be a forever harp. Most Celtic and classical arrangements for Lever Harp will use 34 strings (the range of the Mia) so you shouldn't have a challenge with needing more strings. I'd say that it can play both Celtic and classical pieces quite well. Mine stays in tune quite well. and the levers are okay, I think they are easy enough to use, however you have to break them in so that they become smooth. I also liked the idea of being able to string either Nylon or Gut on the harp (I'm using Nylon). I'm actually going to be progressing to a pedal harp soon, but if I wasn't I'd be more than happy with the Mia. When I purchased this harp I had tried a few others (Dusty Strings, Lyon and Healy, Aoyama) but this was the best harp for my price range. Is it going to be able to compete with a harp that is 3 times it's price? No, but the price range it's a great value and I learned a lot from the Mia.
@@derekharpson Thank you SO much for such a detailed reply!! :') it's so good to hear from someone who owns a Mia and got to try different harps because there aren't any harp stores near me so I'm relying on sound clips from UA-cam! :) So far Mia is my top choice (although the Ravenna 34 is another option) but I think after reading your comment (and also from someone else who mentioned how much she loves her Mia), I think this is what I'll go with! :) I don't have plans to move to a pedal harp one day so I hope my Mia will be my forever harp. :) Thank you so much once again for taking the time to type out everything and let me know your thoughts about this harp! :)
@@imagineoceans I'm happy to help! I tried the Revenna 34 and it was a great harp too. I found that the Revenna sounded brighter while the Mia was more mellow and deep. I also really liked that the Mia had a more even sound going from the bass strings to the higher register. Salvi and Lyon and Healy also have an exchange program so if you wanted to move to a larger harp they'll apply the price you paid for your original harp to the cost of your new one. Looking back I'd still choose the Mia over the harps I tried when I was looking.