
1. Spootiskerry
Rachel begins her series of lessons in 20 minutes with a classic tune from the Shetland Islands played in sessions across the land. This Post is only available to subscribed members.
The Tunes in 20 Minutes series is a collection of lessons perfect for those wanting to learn tunes for joining in at sessions or for harp players wanting to learn melodies that they can then arrange themselves.
Quite often it is these slightly faster tunes that puts many harp players off joining in at sessions, but this series will allow you to not only learn some of the more popular tunes, but have the confidence to then arrange them for your own use.
Downloadable sheet music is available for all tunes.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest exponents of Scottish Harp (clarsach) playing, Rachel is a prominent performer in the Traditional Music scene and having toured extensively throughout Europe, the US and beyond, she has released 5 critically acclaimed albums.
A world renowned soloist and teacher, Rachel has performed and taught at harp festivals in the USA, Japan, Russia, France, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Scotland. She has published 4 books of harp arrangements and compositions, and her music is currently featured on the syllabuses of both the Trinity College London and RCS Scottish Harp exam syllabuses
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Rachel begins her series of lessons in 20 minutes with a classic tune from the Shetland Islands played in sessions across the land. This Post is only available to subscribed members.
Next up, Rachel looks at another great reel from Shetland named after the sixth largest of the Shetland Islands. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Wherever you play in a session in Scotland you will always hear an Irish jig or two, and so Rachel teaches one of the most famous. This Post is only available
A lovely waltz is next on Rachel’s series; one she first heard from the playing of Blazin’ Fiddles on their first album. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
A strathspey this time, favoured amongst the piping fraternity as it the tune often played for a Highland Fling. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Rachel next looks at a pipe tune in the unusual time signature of 3/2 that she has heard being described as a slip reel. This Post is only available to subscribed
Rachel turns her attention to another piece from Shetland, this time one she heard originally from the playing of Aly Bain. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
A slip jig this time from the pen of no less than Robert Burns himself. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Rachel looks at a jig that she’s always known as a Scottish pipe jig, but has found that it is played just as much in the Irish tradition. This Post is
Rachel turns her attention to one of her favourite Shetland reels, which she learnt through the playing of concertina player Simon Thoumire. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Rachel teaches a lovely tune written by Calum Stewart from the North East of Scotland with a beautiful title all about Hope. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login