The Harp

The Harp

The Harp - Parts of a Wire Strung Harp

The Harp - Parts of a Wire Strung Harp

The Harp - Picking Strings

The Harp - Picking Strings

The Harp - Shaping your Nails

The Harp - Shaping your Nails

The Harp - Taking Care of Your Finger Nails

The Harp - Taking Care of Your Finger Nails

The Harp - Holding a Wirestrung Harp

The Harp - Holding a Wirestrung Harp

The Harp - Bringing Your Hands to it

The Harp - Bringing Your Hands to it

The Harp - Manipulate the Strings with your Hands

The Harp - Manipulate the Strings with your Hands

The Harp - Learning Your First Tune

The Harp - Learning Your First Tune

The Harp - Tie a Wire String Part 1

The Harp - Tie a Wire String Part 1

The Harp - Tie a Wire String Part 2

The Harp - Tie a Wire String Part 2

The Harp

The Harp

How to Play Songs on the Recorder

How to Play Songs on the Recorder

Recorder Songs - Reading Music

Recorder Songs - Reading Music

Recorder Songs - D Major Scale and Triad

Recorder Songs - D Major Scale and Triad

Recorder Songs - Learn Tue Tue

Recorder Songs - Learn Tue Tue

Recorder Songs - Learn Joe Magarac

Recorder Songs - Learn Joe Magarac

How to Play the Recorder

How to Play the Recorder

Playing the Recorder - Choosing an Instrument

Playing the Recorder - Choosing an Instrument

Playing the Recorder - The Foundation - Breathing, Support, and Posture

Playing the Recorder - The Foundation - Breathing, Support, and Posture

Playing the Recorder - Tone Production

Playing the Recorder - Tone Production

Playing the Recorder - Articulation

Playing the Recorder - Articulation

How to Play the Harmonica

How to Play the Harmonica

How to Play the Recorder

How to Play the Recorder

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Cynthia Cathcart

www.cynthiacathcart.net  

(301) 587-6267

Cynthia is one of the world's experts on the Clarsach, the wire-strung harp of the Highland and Islands of Scotland and of Ireland. Performing and teaching internationally, she is leading a new wave of interest in the wire-strung harp. Based near Washington, DC, Cynthia represents Ardival Harps of Strathpeffer, Scotland and is their North American Artist in Residence. Cynthia is a recording artist, and the author of several books for the clarsach. She holds a number of prestigious awards, including two-time U.S. National Scottish Harp Master Champion, three time winner of the Clan Lamont Trophy (in Virginia, Texas and Ohio), and holder of the Pennington-Grey Award for service to the wire-strung harp.

The Harp - Shaping your Nails

Cynthia Cathcart, a teacher, recording artist, performer, and author shares tips on how to prepare and shape your nails for playing the harp.

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My name is Cynthia Cathcart, and we are now going to talk about the other part of this instrument, the wire-strung harp. The harp is about half of what you need, other half of what you need is your hand. This is what really putting them together. The five fingers on your hand, the fifth finger, little finger, is rarely used. Sometimes used for damping. We will talk about damping later. The other fingers are numbered 1 for the thumb 2, 3, and 4. Wire harpers tend to use their nails. They give you really nice clean attack, so as I take the harp, I literally, I am using my nail to strike the string. People sometimes ask me oh! You must have really tough calluses. No, its my nail that hits string. Now, some people, some harpers will shape their nails a little differently. For example you may look and see that instead of coming to a nice neat point on the top like my mother taught me to shape my nails, I have pushed it off to the side a little bit. This way when I come to the harp, that point is coming directly to the string. I have literally my turned my nails into plectrum. Experimentation is probably your best bet on figuring out exactly how you might want to shape your nails for the best sound on your wire-strung harp.

Dog Care - Trimming Nails

Dog Care - Trimming Nails

Dog Grooming - Clipping Nails

Dog Grooming - Clipping Nails

Nail Care - Cleaning Under the Toe Nails

Nail Care - Cleaning Under the Toe Nails

French Manicure - File & Shape the Nails

French Manicure - File & Shape the Nails

Wax Your Legs at Home - Using the Muslin and Cleaning up

Wax Your Legs at Home - Using the Muslin and Cleaning up

Nail Care - Filing and Shaping

Nail Care - Filing and Shaping

Dog Grooming - Brushing Hair

Dog Grooming - Brushing Hair

Fixing Small Holes and Nail Pops

Fixing Small Holes and Nail Pops

Beginning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Beginning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Home Improvement - Tools and Safety

Home Improvement - Tools and Safety