Irish Dance Tunes for all Harps

“This book contains 50 Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and airs arranged for the harp by Sylvia Woods.  This is an excellent book for intermediate to advanced harp players interested in learning about Irish dance tunes, or for those already involved in the Irish music scene.  It can be used by groups of musicians as well as harp soloists.  The pieces are in sharp keys with fingerings and chord symbols, and can be played on lever or pedal harp…

Welcome to the world of Irish dance tunes.  If you already play this type of music, you know how much fun it can be.  And if you are new to jigs and reels, you are in for a real treat.  I have chosen 50 tunes for this collection.  Some are well known by most Irish musicians, and some are a bit more rare.  They are all written in the keys in which they are most often played.

I am very pleased to announce that one of the finest players of dance tunes on the harp, Maire ni Chathasaigh, provided a great deal of assistance in this endeavor.  She advised me on different settings of the tunes, and provided many of the ornaments.  I am very grateful for her help…”  S. Woods

Information is provided on: Different Versions, Ornamentation, Variations, Tunes With No Endings, and Fingerings. There is also an introduction to Irish Dance Tunes by Danny Carnahan which includes the following:

What are Jigs, Reels and Hornpipes?

Rhythmic Precision

Tempos

Medleys

Playing “Fiddle Tunes” on the Harp

What is an Irish Music Session?

How are Tunes Played in Sessions?

Learning Tunes by Ear