Workshops
Stella Benson - Gisèle & Robin - Lucile B. Hildesheim - Kim Robertson - Frank Voltz - Sharlene Wallace - Printable version
Stella Benson
- ARE YOU A HEALING MUSICIAN?
Saturday 9:00am, Confederation room
You have a harp and you can play music or improvise. So what is holding you back from playing healing music? Perhaps it's just that you don't know what makes your music healing. In this workshop each participant will play a favorite piece (or, alternatively, you are welcome to do improvisational playing) and we will analyze what is healing about that music. We are going to use YOUR music to look at the fundamental building blocks of healing music. As you see how these concepts apply to your playing, we will also look at how they can be rearranged to make the sounds even more effective for other situations. Stella Benson -- with her years of expertise -- will help you discover and expand the healing musicianship you already have. Bring your curiosity and instrument.
Level: All.
- THE GIFTS OF HEALING MOODS
Saturday 3:15pm, Confederation room
This workshop liberates you to playing naturally and simply to elicit specific moods through specific modes. Many of us already know about playing in a specific mode to bring people into certain feelings. But this workshop goes into the scientific phenomena behind the modes for moods -- and how pure intervals, harmonic series, Nature's Chord, and the human voice are overlooked aspects of therapeutic and other music.
You will learn about augmenting each mode to increase the feeling, and tempering the mode to soften the effect. Stella's newly published landmark book "The Gift of Healing Modes" is a great adjunct to this workshop. These simple techniques will take you into a new and exciting level of confidence that can be used just about anywhere.
Level: All.
Gisèle Guibord & Robin Grenon
- LA GUARANIA
Saturday 10:45am, Confederation room
It’s a traditional Paraguayan rhythm. It gets its name from the guarani people and culture. This slow rhythm is used to accompany romantic or poetic songs. The workshop will demonstrate the different accompaniments used in popular music and give models of improvisations on sequences of chords suitable for relaxing music. Bring your harp.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- LA GALOPA
Saturday 3:15pm, Algonquin room
It’s a traditional Paraguayan rhythm also known as the Polka Paraguaya. This fast and syncopated rhythm gets its name from the horse’s fastest pace: the gallop. It is very close to the polyrhythms of ancient Spanish music. It is first and foremost a festive dance which sometimes borders on acrobatics. The workshop will present several variants of this style from the simplest to the most complex and show how they can easily be superimposed.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
Lucile Brais Hildesheimn
- GORGEOUS SOUND AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT
Saturday 9:00am, Delta B room
Learn to maximize use of strings in order to produce a rich sound. Focus will be on single notes, phrasing, and chords of all kinds; widening dynamic range; and how the whole body gets involved. Also, a brief overview of tuning.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISATION
Saturday 1:30pm, Algonquin room
Creating melodies from chord progressions; creating melodies with chords only; expanding on existing melodies; creating introductions, codas, interludes… it’s all a game and loads of fun.
Level: Intermediate. A good understanding of chord structure, basic musical knowledge & ability to read music necessary.
- A HARPIST'S WORKBOOK
Sunday 10:45, Algonquin room
A collection of exercises designed to develop finger agility & some muscle; warm-ups, on & off the harp; good practice habits; 5 minutes are better than none; put some colour into your playing. You'll sound better than ever!
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
Kim Robertson
- A LOT OF NERVES
Saturday 10:45am, Delta B room
Playing the harp generally equals playing in front of an audience, usually long before you feel ready. In this workshop, learn techniques to increase your comfort level, in your repertoire (musical safety-nets, exit points, etc) as well as for any of your various performance demands (weddings, concerts, etc) that will help you be a bolder, more confident performer.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- THE FUN STUFF
Saturday 1:30pm, Delta B room
With the exception of Harpo Marx, harpists tend to take their instruments quite seriously, forgetting just how much fun it can actually be to play In this workshop, learn ways to lighten up and make your harping more playful, using sound effects and experimental techniques. Learn practical applications, including creative and sometimes silly exercises that can lead to composing and improvising at any level. For performers and instructors who work with children, or for anyone who would like to lighten up their musical life.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- OFF THE MAP IMPROVISATION
Sunday 9:00am, Delta B room
Tired of playing Danny Boy & Greensleeves on your lever harp? This workshop will take you off the Western cultural map to explore the sounds of more exotic lands. Learn various ethnic modes, harmonies, rhythms & improv patterns that are easy to play but will bring a new dimension to your repertoire. Useful for expanding arrangements, improvising or even composing, these techniques will inspire creativity and a sense of adventure in your playing.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced.
- ARRANGING FOR CELTIC HARP
Sunday 10:45am, Delta B room
In Irish legend, the harp had three magical "strains", or properties that granted the release of sleep, joy and tears. These three harp-strains are still the essence of Celtic harp music today, with the lullabies, laments and dances that soothe, restore and cheer the soul. This workshop will focus on different types of Celtic tunes (airs, jigs, reels, etc) and ways to effectively create your own arrangements.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced. Hands-on, music provided, ability to read not necessary, but helpful.
Frank Voltz
- JAZZ TECHNIQUES FOR THE HARP
Saturday 9:00am, Algonquin room
Bring your harp and get ready for some fun! In this hands-on workshop, we will learn the most common jazz harp techniques such as slap bass and walking bass. We will also learn other exciting techniques such as touch damp, swing, lever slides, and more. Students should be able to read music and play a three-note chord with both hands.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- YOU'VE GOT RHYTHM
Saturday 10:45am, Algonquin room
This hands-on workshop will start with the basic building blocks of rhythm (time signatures, notes, rests, beats, etc.) and move into different rhythmic patterns. We’ll learn the value of rhythmic patterns in the left hand for playing lead sheets, and once you get the hang of that, we’ll explore rhythms of other musical traditions. Some will be easy and some will be challenging. We will discover the fun of syncopation, complex rhythms, and conducting patterns. There will be lots of clapping and tapping, and you’ll be able to immediately translate these rhythmic concepts to the harp, so bring along your instrument. By the end of class, you’ll be excited about rhythms—both old and new—and you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to your playing.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- FINDING LEVER LAND
Saturday 3:15pm, Delta B room
Many harpists are afraid to move levers while they are playing a piece. Flipping a lever is as easy as plucking a string. By applying a few simple rules and practicing a few simple exercises, harpists at all levels can feel confident to move levers with their left hand while plucking strings with their right hand. Training materials are provided so that even if you don’t "get it" in the workshop, you can go home and practice everything you’ve learned so that you can master moving levers. This is a hands-on workshop so bring your harp.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
- GEOGRAPHY OF THE HARP
Sunday 9:00am, Algonquin room
Have you ever thought about the geography of the harp? If you understand the geography of the harp (string spacing = finger spacing), you can learn your repertoire faster and literally play faster on the harp because your fingers "know" what to do before they touch the strings. This hands-on workshop will help you think of the harp in a new way with ideas and exercises that will improve your playing. This is a hands-on workshop so bring your harp.
Level: All. Ability to read music not necessary but a basic knowledge of notes and chords helpful.
Sharlene Wallace
- CALM AS A CUCUMBER
Saturday 1:30pm, Confederation room
Conversations about playing for an audience of one or a thousand, and ideas to help that experience be a good, giving and beautiful thing. In other words... taming your nerves!
Level: All.
- MMMMM... SCALES!
Sunday 9:00am, Confederation room
A workshop on delicious ways and reasons to incorporate exercises into your time at the harp. You might just learn to love playing those scales!
Level:All.
- MINI LESSON
Sunday 10:45am, Confederation room
Bring a piece with which you would like technical, arranging or learning guidance.
Level:All.
