Category Archives: Double Strung Harp

“Little Boat” #Meditation #Music

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Download “Little Boat” Double Strung Harp Meditation Mp3

Length: About 5 minutes

Today we revisit “Little Boat,” a song I wrote last year and tested with lyre and zither together. You can find that mp3 and a link to the lyrics
here.

This version is a longer, more meditative instrumental on double strung harp. But with a twist. You also hear both chambers of the Coda EDC Flute, a cowrie shell shaker, and the Koshi Aqua (water) chime.

In replaying the pieces from my lyre-and-zither Double Strung Experiment series, I wanted to showcase the true double strung harp without boring you. So, I added a few other instruments.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement! I think it turned out pretty well, myself! Please share any comments, questions, or other feedback you may have, even simply whether you liked or disliked the piece! Thanks for listening!

“Heartsong” #Music

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Download “Heartsong” Double Strung Harp Mp3

Happy Mother’s Day to those who are mothers and those who have one! ❤

I wrote “Heartsong” in 2016. You can find the ukulele version with lyrics
here.

Today I play it as a comforting, relaxing piece on double strung harp. I hope you enjoy it, and have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Lullaby/Brahms Medley Revisited #Music

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Download “Lullaby/Brahms Medley” Double Strung Harp Mp3

I wrote “Lullaby of the Ages” on lyre last year. As I considered purchasing a double strung harp, I kept thinking the piece would be a wonderful demonstration of the effects possible on double strung that cannot be played on a “normal” harp, lyre, or zither with one continuous row of strings. I tested this by playing lyre and zither at the same time, and it was as I thought. You can listen to that
here.

The familiar lullaby composed by Johannes Brahms was another piece I tested in this way. That audio is
here
if you haven’t already heard the arrangement.

At the end of the series with lyre and zither, I said I would revisit these pieces with the harp. That time is now! So, here are my original, “Lullaby of the Ages,” and the Brahms lullaby played on an honest-to-goodness double strung harp!

I hope you enjoy this medley as much as I love playing and hearing it!

Flutter #Poem

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Play or download this poem with musical accompaniment.

Download Mp3

Flutter
Thoughts taking wing
Released from their cocoon
May they ripple outward for good
Transform
The negative to positive
Productive in their time
Free to take wing
Flutter!

—-
A Butterfly Cinquain written for Eugi’s Weekly Prompt, Flutter:

https://amanpan.com/2021/04/29/eugis-weekly-prompt-flutter-april-29-2021/

Reading accompanied by double strung harp and a Harmony Ball musical pendant.

“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” #Music

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Download “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” Mp3

Isaac Watts wrote this beloved hymn in 1708. The text is based on Psalm 90. The melody is “St. Anne” by William Croft. In some Christian hymnals, the first line is changed to “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and some of the original 9 stanzas are omitted. However, it is still a popular hymn in both Christian and Jewish music.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement, played on double strung harp and Oriole (soprano) recorder!

Grounded #Decima #Poem

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Play or download this poem with musical accompaniment.

Download “Grounded” Mp3

A time for rest it’s time to take,
To ground in oneness with the ground.
Connections reconnected, found.
Awaken now, and be awake!

Meet all your needs for meeting’s sake,
And listen with a listening ear
To heart-felt breath and heartbeat clear.
Be mindful of your Mind inside,
The thinking thoughts that make your life;
With inner wisdom, wisely hear.

—
A musical Decima written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 55: (GROUND) in the B rhyme line.

The instruments are double strung harp, Rhythm Rock shaker, and alto recorder.

“The Secret in the Stone” #Writephoto #Meditation

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Download “The Secret in the Stone” Meditation with Double Strung Harp Mp3

Approximate length: 5 minutes

Come! Enter the realm of mystery,
Where Truth is revealed to those who seek,
Perhaps not with eyes, but through sensing and feel;
It’s the wisdom to know your important and real.

Where you’ll surely be given that for which you ask
Toward fulfilling your purpose and passing life’s tasks.
Take a look at the stone, in this place, in your mind,
And uncover the message your Spirit can find.

Do not worry or fret; it is written for you!
There’s no wrong way to hear it, whatever you do.
You might read it or sense it or feel in your heart
Gentle words of the Spirit in music or art.

It may come in the quiet, in dreams, or in sound.
But however, whenever, your message is found!
You will feel when you’ve got it, your life’s cornerstone.
It will help guide your path, knowing you’re not alone.

For the stone that you see here is only a sign
Of the worlds you can enter and brilliance you find
In your own heart and spirit, your mind, and your soul.
For within you are perfect! You’re wise, and you’re whole!

The secret in stone is a secret no more!
Your Truth is revealed; it is clear and so pure!
Now return to your journey of purpose and path;
You can seek any moment for answers–just ask!

—
Written for KL Caley’s wonderful #Writephoto Prompt, The Secret in the Stone:

#WRITEPHOTO – The Secret in the Stone

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” #Music

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Download “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Double Strung Harp Mp3

This hymn was written by Dorothy Ann Thrup in the 1800’s. The music was later composed by William B. Bradbury. “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead us” is still a popular hymn in many Christian churches today.

I hope you enjoy this double strung harp arrangement! First, I play the hymn as I would on a “normal” harp, or lyre, having one row of strings. Then, I play with both hands in the same octave. They don’t interfere with each other, because each hand has an entirely separate, parallel row of strings all to itself. Fascinating, isn’t it?

“The Ash Grove” Revisited #Music

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Download “The Ash Grove” Double Strung Harp Mp3

Last year I played this traditional Welsh tune on lyre. You can listen to it
here
and compare it to this version, played on double strung harp. The beauty of this harp is that each hand has access to its entire range, and the hands never run into each other’s playing area. This allows echoing and other effects not possible on a single strung (i.e. regular or normal) harp.

I hope you enjoy this lovely piece!

Springtime Dance #Poem #Music

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Download “Springtime Dance” Double Strung Harp Mp3

O let us dance and let us sing
In praise of beauty that is Spring!
As flowers bloom and songbirds sing,
There’s brand new life in everything!

We’re not exempt; we’re not left out
Of all the giving Spring’s about!
We can transform, without a doubt:
Just look within and let it out!

Let in the new! The old, release.
Let go of fear, allowing peace.
In harmony replace dis-ease
And safety calm anxieties.

We’re not alone—we have a guide,
The voice of wisdom deep inside,
The One who our true needs provides
And gives us heartbeat, breath and life!

So let us dance and let us sing
In praise of beauty that is Spring!
As flowers bloom and songbirds sing,
There’s brand new life in everything!

—-
Written for Eugi’s Weekly Prompt, Dance:

https://amanpan.com/2021/04/22/eugis-weekly-prompt-dance-april-22-2021/

This poem started with just 4 lines. But as I wrote, it expanded. After I went to bed last night, glad to have written my NaPoWriMo contribution for the day, it occurred to me it would make a great song! And the music was there, so I captured it on my double strung harp while it was still fresh in my mind. When Eugi left a comment saying the poem could be a song, I knew I had to record it and include the audio here. So, here it is! Thank you very much, Eugi!