Buzzing Harps: Bray Harps (Popular in the 14th to 18th Century Wales)

Mike Parker 16thC. style gothic harp with bray pins on some notes. Bass ronde misattributed to Beatrix of Dia, 

I heard Bill Taylor perform music using his bray harp (also known as gothic harp) and it was something. These harps sound like they are buzzing when you play them. So totally different from the harp sound we came to know. According to the BBC 3, these harps were popular among the Scots of the lowlands and this was commonly played in Welsh society. Along with the Clarsach, these two became popular from the 14th up to the 18 century. I can’t find any video of Bill Taylor playing the bray harp for my example so I am using this video by Mike Parker. Just check this info I got from Ardival Harps:

Bray harps, also referred to as “gothic harps”, are characterised by their long, slender shapes, which resemble the wings of angels.  But the real difference is in their sound:  they buzz.

Said to “bray like donkeys”, these harps are fitted with tiny L-shaped wooden pegs called bray pins. These bray pins hold the strings in the soundbox and also lightly touch them. This light point of contact causes the buzzing sound as the string vibrates.

Although it may be a strange sound to us today, this was the familiar sound of the gut-strung harp across Europe for several hundred years, played between the 14th and 18th centuries, and heard in Wales into the early 19th century.  They were the classic harps during the Renaissance, and described by Michael Praetorius in his 1619 publication as “the ordinary harp” (illustrated right).

With the wire-strung clarsach being the choice instrument of the Highland Gaels, the gut-strung bray harp appears to have been the harp preferred by the Lowland Scots.  Bray harps have long strings, with often narrow spacing, and over time tend to develop a slightly arched back due to tension of the strings.  Evidence from the Welsh manuscript of Robert ap Huw points to their use with fingernails; otherwise, classical fingerpad technique is also appropriate. http://www.ardival.com/index.asp?pageid=200766

 

Also, check out the website of Bill Taylor: http://www.billtaylor.eu

Harp Music: Tradition of Music Making pre-1700 in Wales

For those who aren’t part of The Celtic Music Fan via facebook, this is a good link. If you think you know all there is to know about Welsh music, wait until you listen to this radio show. The hosts  gave informative materials and also played samples of the music throughout the show. Composer Robert ap Huw chronicled the music of his time and made his own odd tablature which became a source of debate and amazement among musicologists. I am attaching the link here. Facebook makes music blogging so easy..and yeah this neat screenshot app helps a lot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01kntn7

Jamie Smith’s MABON in South of Wales this Summer! Thursday, 19 July 2012

Bout this pic: Adam and Matt modelling the new tour bus. A slight upgrade from the last one!
— with Matthew Emyr Downer, Jamie Smith, Adam Rhodes, Oliver Wilson-Dickson and Iolo Whelan.

Welsh readers, get ready for J S Mabon @ The Muni!Thursday, 19 July 2012.

Apart from the much anticipated new album from this amazing Welsh band, fans in their homeland will be thrilled to see them perform live.  Here is the news event posted by Iolo Whelan, the band’s  drummer:

Our only ‘home turf’ gig this summer – come out, South Walians!
Ein unig gig lleol haf yma – dewch yn llu!

Jamie Smith’s MABON emerge from the recording studio, blinking in the daylight, and champing at the bit to play for real live people again! Tucked in amongst a list of UK and European festivals, our only local gig this summer will be at THE MUNI CENTRE, PONTYPRIDD on Thursday 19th July.
We’d be delighted if you could spread the word, and join us at this great venue for a intimate evening of music. (:

Wele Mabon yn ymddangos o’r stiwdio recordio i chwarae ein unig gig lleol yr haf yma, yng NGHANOLFAN Y MUNI, PONTYPRIDD, nos Iau 19eg o Fehefin.
Fasech chi gystal a lledaenu’r gair? Basai’n hyfryd eich gweld chi yno! (:

Be part of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/362339267168366/

This is an aside but that bus looks inviting! That band’s poster is also amazing. They surely hired a great photographer.

Jamie Smiths Mabon perform The Tale of Nikolai, The Dancing Bear at Priddy Folk Festival 2012

áthas on Tour All Over Milwaukee

Hello American readers in the Midwest. The band Athas is making rounds around Milwaukee this month. You should not miss the amazing talents of each member. I stumbled upon them last March 2010. I am excited to hear that they are spreading the joy of Celtic music around the United States and the world. Thanks to harpist Scott Hoye for posting the updates of the band.

This is an aside but I am amazed to learn that guitarist Jeff Ksiazek played jazz on saxophone  for two decades before switching to guitar! Amazing.

Heather Lewin-Tiarks: fiddle, viola
Amy Richter: bodhran, percussion
Jeff Ksiazek: guitar, bouzouki

I like it when a video highlights the the most important aspect of music: musicians playing their instruments.

Find them in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athasmusic

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/athas

http://www.athasmusic.com/

Biography
áthas lights the dance floor on fire with a combination of traditional and newly composed Irish dance tunes. Fierce fiddle, driving bodhrán, and funky guitar riffs come together to lift listeners’ feet, drinks, and spirits.

Although approaching the tradition from various musical backgrounds, the band found each other and their voice as an ensemble while playing in Irish sessions around Milwaukee throughout 2005. Spending their time between tunes laughing and joking inspired them to make music together and their name, which is the Irish word for joy and happiness.

The band’s blend of exciting music and fun-loving attitudes quickly earned the admiration of Milwaukee’s Irish set and ceili dance communities, as well as audiences throughout their hometown stomping grounds. áthas has become a favorite act at Irish music’s premier event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, gathering praise for the excitement of their stage shows and the energy they display playing in the dance tent.

áthas is a band firmly rooted in the traditions of Irish music, constantly seeking inspiration from the past masters and passing on their knowledge by teaching throughout Milwaukee. The band remains receptive to new influences, and continues to impress audiences with their new compositions as well as their
passion, energy, and love for making music.

Influences:

Comas, David Munnelly Band, Teada, Different Drums of Ireland, Dervish, Planxty, John Whelan, Leo McCann, Seamus Begley

Dick Twinney – Cornwall’s Wildlife At Home Feat. Sue Aston

Cornish artist Dick Twinney is giving love back to nature with his wonderful wildlife artworks. You see his works in this video, featuring ‘The Home Coming’ by Cornish violinist Sue Aston. Enjoy the healing qualities of the music and enrich your soul with the colors of nature through the eyes and hand of Dick Twinney.

More from this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/cornishwildart