Celtic Harp Anthology: Music from Historical Collections
About this ebook
This book is designed for advanced beginners to intermediate harp players with lever folk harps (or pedal harps) that have thirty-three strings or less with G (one and a half octaves below middle C) as their lowest note, in the keys of F, C, G, D and A. The tunes are appropriate for nylon or wire-strung harps. Two songs require lever flips.
About the author
Star Edwards is well known for her eclectic harp styles, whether playing solo or ensemble. Captured by the storytelling quality of folk music and fiery protest music of Dylan and Baez, she took up guitar at thirteen years old. An important influence in Star's musical choices comes from a dance background in international folk dance music. Improvisation is the backbone of Star's playfulness with her music. It is through this playfulness and use of imagination on harp that has been an open door to composing music.
In 1983 she founded the Colorado Folk Harp Society, and has directed and arranged music for the Celtic Harp Orchestra. Star has been responsible for bringing the presence of the Celtic harp to many festivals, such as the Scottish Highland Games and the Irish Festival in Denver since 1985.
Star was invited to be a guest with the internationally acclaimed Irish group, The Chieftains, as they toured through Denver and Colorado Springs in 2003, in a farewell gesture to their harper, Derek Bell. Star has appeared on an episode of the Perry Mason TV show, The Case of the Skin Deep Scandal, with Morgan Fairchild and the movie, The Princess and the Dwarf, which was shot at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The movie featured Warwick Davis, John Rhyes-Davies, and Richard Kiel.
Star teaches Celtic harp at Swallow Hill Music School in Denver. She currently plays a fusion of folk rock music with KingBeat, which include guitar, bass, drums and keyboard back up, as well as her Celtic standards, pop, classical and Renaissance tunes at local events.
