‘Chasing the Bunnies’ and Other Technique Glitch Fixes – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 15th January 2023

‘Chasing the bunnies’ and Other Technique Glitch Fixes

An IMMERSION looking at the most common technique pitfalls and exploring how we can train our fingers to do as our brain is bidding! This IMMERSION will be filled with instantly usable hints and tips for our harp playing.  Whatever your level, from the complete novice to advanced, you’ll learn my favourite tips for like how to minimise buzzes, enhance your sound, take care of your body and find shapes with greater ease.

During this IMMERSION I will introduce you to four mini etudes (taken form a set of 14) written specifically to allow our mind and bodies the space, time and excuse to focus on common challenges.

‘Chasing the Bunnies’ and Other Technique Glitch Fixes PART 2 – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 23rd February 2025

‘Chasing the bunnies’ and Other Technique Glitch Fixes PART 2

‘Chasing the Bunnies’ and Other Technique Glitch Fixes – PART 2

This is an IMMERSION looking at the most common technique pitfalls and exploring how we can train our fingers to do as our brain is bidding! This IMMERSION will be filled with instantly usable hints and tips for our harp playing. Whatever your level, from the complete novice to advanced, you’ll learn my favourite tips for how to minimise buzzes, enhance your sound, take care of your body, and find shapes with greater ease.

During this IMMERSION, I will introduce you to all the studies not covered in Part 1, taken from a set of 14 mini etudes written specifically to allow our mind and bodies the space, time, and excuse to focus on common challenges.

If you missed Part 1 and would like to take it before this session, you can sign up to watch the replay  here: https://startharp.com/product/chasing-the-bunnies-and-other-technique-hacks-fairplay-immersion-15th-january-2023/ and get £10 off using code fhs10.

10 simple ‘go to’ ideas when writing tunes! – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

10 simple ‘go to‘ ideas when writing tunes!

During this FAIRPLAY IMMERSION I share some of my favourite tried and tested tricks I have used over the years for writing tunes for students and myself to play. I  promised to share my 10 favourite go to ideas in this IMMERSION so we will look at getting started – what is your inspiration/purpose, choosing you pedal/lever set up, making mud pie (yes you read that correctly), starting from chords, starting from melody, starting from rhythm, melody shaping hacks,  adding accompaniment, choosing the form and saving your ideas!

I am also extreamly excited to share with you a brand new piece called Jigsaw II. This is very unusual as it calls on the harpist to choose which parts of the music to use and the order that they will be played in. It can be put together in many different ways. Will you choose and introduction? Rondo form? To modulate to the dominant? To play in the relative minor? To add a coda? Or any other options! The purpose of this is to gain practical experience putting together a piece, trying it in many different ways until you are really happy with the way it sounds, exactly as you can with your own compositions.

50 + Ways to Play a Chord and Henrietta’s Dream – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – REPLAY AVAILABLE 

50 + ways to play a chord!

Let’s Shake Up Our Lead Sheet Playing! 

Adapting and Transcribing Pedal Harp Music to Lever Harp – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 10th September 2023

10th September 2023 – 3pm-5pm BST/GMT+1

In this IMMERSION, we will explore what to look out for and how to adapt pedal harp music for the lever harp. While many of these skills are transferable to adapting piano music for the harp, our focus will be on the unique challenges and creative solutions that arise when adapting pedal harp music to the Celtic or folk harp.

When transcribing pedal harp music to a Celtic/folk/lever harp, harpists often encounter a range of challenges due to differences in instrument capabilities, the number of strings, and overall playing techniques. To address these challenges, harpists need to make creative decisions that maintain the essence of the original music while adapting it to the capabilities of the Celtic harp. It’s a skill that improves with experience and an understanding of both harp types.

In this IMMERSION, we will explore some get-you-started ideas to help you transcribe for the lever harp while considering differences in string range, unsuitable keys, harmonic challenges, articulation differences, pedal and lever marking notations, and differences, respecting the musical elements, and much more! While we won’t delve deeply into the wide array of lever-changing techniques in this session, we will explore ways to help you confidently decide which levers to engage, when, and how, while providing top-tier practices to refine your execution.

If possible, please bring a piece of pedal harp music to the class that you would like to play on your lever harp. If you don’t have one, examples will be available.

By Invitation Only — One-to-One Harp Lessons

One-to-one lessons are currently offered on a by-invitation-only basis.

These sessions are for students who are already connected with my work through Fairplay Harp School, Coach & Connect, Dynamic Harps, or via direct personal recommendation, and who would benefit from individual, ongoing support alongside their wider learning.

I am unable to offer open public sign-ups for private lessons.
Instead, one-to-one teaching is offered selectively, based on fit, availability, and the nature of a student’s goals.

This page exists so that those I have personally invited can book and pay for their sessions easily.

Creating Melodic Variations and Countermelodies – From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary 2 – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 26th March 2023

Creating Melodic Variations and Countermelodies

From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary (2)

Are you keen to build on your arranging skills? In 2023 I am offering 3 arranging IMMERSIONS where we will look at ideas for taking a simple tune and making it your own. During this second offering of ‘From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary’ we are looking at Creating Melodic Variations and Countermelodies. We will be exploring tricks and tips that help us to confidently add notes between and over a melody to create variations and interest in our arrangements, improvisation and compositions. In this session we will look at general ‘go-to’ ideas, explore ideas for adding notes to a melody, how to create a countermelody and and finally put our skills into practice! During this session we will look at examples in Scarborough Fair, Danny Boy, Ar Hyd y Nos, Greensleeves and my brand new tune ‘Hapus Iawn‘ which can be played as a countermelody to  Pwt Ar Y Bys,

Creating Your Own Accompaniments – From the Sublime to the Ridiculous – From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary 3 – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 16th July 2023

Welcome to this IMMERSION workshop where we will embark on a journey to explore a wide array of accompaniment techniques, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Discover fresh avenues to expand your musical palette, infuse variety and depth, and cultivate your unique ideas and expressions in your music. Throughout the session, you’ll be invited to test out all the ideas being presented, so that by the end, you will have a wealth of possibilities at your fingertips!

In this IMMERSION, we will explore a wide range of creative approaches to accompany melodies on the harp. Whether you are working from lead sheets, improvising, arranging, or composing, we will delve into numerous techniques and ideas to bring variety, character, and richness to your musical expression. Join us for a fun and interactive session where we’ll squeeze in as many different accompaniment styles as possible within two hours!

Dynamic Harps “In Person” Ensemble Autumn 2026

I am delighted that you are interested joining/re-joining the harp ensemble this term. I am really looking forward to getting started and I hope you are too! There are two in person sign up options this term.

FAIRPLAY HARP SCHOOL GIFT VOUCHER

FAIRPLAY HARP SCHOOL GIFT VOUCHER

A harp gift for your friend, partner, family member or even yourself! You will receive the gift voucher digitally within 48 hours of making your purchase. If you are ordering this on Christmas eve please also email me on info@harpwales.com with URGENT in the heading so I can get it to you before Christmas day!

This voucher can be redeemed for any one of the following:

1. START HARP LEVEL 1
2. START HARP LEVEL 2
3. START HARP LEVEL 3
4. FLOURISHING HARPIST 
5. Access to all 12 IMMERSION courses in 2021 

You will also receive a copy of my CD’s ‘The Cherished Harp’ and ‘The Three Strands’ in the post. I will post these out within 48 hours of receiving your order, please hurry if you are hoping for the items in time for Christmas.

For details of the full year access offer please click >>HERE<<

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Rhythms Demystified: Polyrhythm edition

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 

Rhythms Demystified: Polyrhythm Edition

In this IMMERSION we look at how to understand, practice and play common polyrhythms (3 against 4 / 4 against 3 and 2 against 3 / 3 against 2). We will use the focus piece ‘One for Sorrow, two for Joy’ which I have written specifically to involve these sneaky little rhythms! I will aim to give you warm up ideas you can use immediately and also moving forwards to help you practice and get into the groove of these polyrhythms. As well as playing them within the piece, we will also work on them purely rhythmically, in exercises and via improvisation, we will immerse ourselves! Whilst this topic is not for the faint hearted, I promise to make it as accessible as possible and it is rather interesting to know about even if you don’t feel you will use the knowledge much in your playing.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Christmas 2021

FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION 2021

Online short Course  

This course will initially be delivered live on 12th December 2021 3PM-5PM GMT, following the live delivery, the course will be available as a set of video lessons and sheet music downloads in online learning platform Ruzuku.

Have you sorted your Christmas party piece this year?! If not come and join a merry band of fellow harp enthusiasts at this years FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION to help you prepare! In this online course, we look at ‘See, Amid the Winter’s Snow’ (including original countermelody), ‘I Saw Three Ships’ and finish off with a little peek at a little swing time Christmas tune I have written called  ‘Have You Heard’ where I will show you (by ear) how get the most out of the bass-line, using chords from the lead sheet.

As a little technique focus for this course, we will be working on how to make our baselines sound loud and clear to support to the melody and be a beautiful foundation for all harmony to ring out over this Christmas! I know this isn’t a glamours or particularly exiting sounding technique fours, but it really is an idea that will help your playing sparkle this Christmas (and all year round)!

“Great immersion! As usual, Shelley went above and beyond. We’re now ready for Christmas 🎄and have some fantastic techniques and insights for glissandos and improv to use all the year through. 🗓” Rebecca Blakeney referring to Christmas IMMERSION 2018 (START HARP Level 1, 2 and 3 graduate!)

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Power up your Left Hand

Power up your Left Hand: Time for your Left Hand to Shine! 

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Pre-Recorded Online Harp Course

WEEK 2 of 52 of The Harpist’s Compass: Mapping a Year of Musical Evolution Series 

In this IMMERSION the whole course will focus on ways to improve your left hands agility, stamina and tone. We will us the focus piece ‘Dyffryn Dreams’ which you can listen to in the little video below. As well as looking at exercises related to the music and looking at the piece, I will show you how you can take a snippet of the piece and turn it into a simple improvisation to extend the music. In addition to this we will work on a brand new ‘Power Up Your Left Hand’ exercise sheet I have created, initially by ear to practice that skill, but I will also provide you with the sheet music.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Shaping Melody – December 2023

FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION

Shaping Melody

Online short Course  – Attend live or watch replay anytime

I have always been intrigued by the direct translation of the Welsh term ‘Canu’r Delyn’ to ‘Sing your Harp’ rather than ‘Play your Harp.’ I believe there’s profound meaning in this! In this IMMERSION, we explore techniques for playing the harp with beautiful shaping and phrasing in our melodies, truly allowing us to ‘Sing the Harp’!

Understanding musical phrasing on the harp involves more than technical accuracy; it’s about infusing creativity and emotional expression into the music. By adopting insights from vocal phrasing, harpists can enhance their ability to shape and convey the emotive essence of a piece, resulting in more nuanced and expressive performances.

What better time of year to delve into this than with some well-known Christmas melodies?

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Sparkle This Christmas 2022

FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION 2022

Sparkle This Christmas – Solo Music for Christmas 2022

Online short Course  – Attend live or watch replay anytime

This course will initially be delivered live on Saturday 26th November 2022 3PM-5PM GMT, following the live delivery the course will be available as a set of video lessons and sheet music downloads in online learning platform Ruzuku.

Have you sorted your Christmas party piece this year?! If not come and join a merry band of fellow harp enthusiasts at this years FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION to help you prepare! In this online course we will warm up with festive soundscapes you can use for introductions, improvisations or storytelling this Christmas and then learn the Coventry Carol with my new original countermelody and a brand new festive swing time tune called Christmas Delights. We will be using the three strands learning approach during this session, working by ear, from sheet music and improvising. I am particularly excited about the soundscapes as ideas for introductions that will help your playing sparkle this Christmas (and all year round)!

“Great immersion! As usual, Shelley went above and beyond. We’re now ready for Christmas 🎄” Rebecca Blakeney referring to Christmas IMMERSION 2018 (START HARP Level 1, 2 and 3 graduate!)

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Sparkle This Christmas 2023

FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION

Sparkle This Christmas – Solo Music for Christmas 2023

Online short Course  – Attend live or watch replay anytime

This course will premiere live on Sunday 19th November 2023, from 3 PM to 5 PM GMT. Following the live session, the course content will be available as a set of video lessons and sheet music downloads on the online learning platform Ruzuku.

Haven’t finalized your Christmas performance piece this year? Join a merry band of fellow harp enthusiasts at this year’s FAIRPLAY CHRISTMAS IMMERSION to prepare! Throughout this online course, we’ll warm up with festive bells ideal for Christmas introductions. Then, we’ll delve into “In the Bleak Midwinter,” featuring my new original countermelody. Additionally, explore my solo version of “Away in a Manger” with an added variation. Finally, enjoy a playful session on swing-time slap bass, discovering how to incorporate it into carols (with “Jingle Bells” as our example).

Accessible to all skill levels, this class provides different level parts for everyone. Embracing a three-strand  learning approach, we’ll explore learning by ear, from sheet music, and through improvisation. I’m thrilled to help make your musical performance sparkle this Christmas and beyond!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – The Adaptive Harpist – January 2024

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 2.0*

The Adaptive Harpist

Adapting your posture, technique and music for different harp types.

Online short Course  – Attend live or watch replay anytime

This course will take place live on Sunday 26 January 2024,  from 3 PM  to 5PM  GMT. Following the live session, the course content will be available as a set of video lessons and sheet music downloads on the online learning platform Ruzuku.

Join us in “The Adaptive Harpist” IMMERSION, where we delve into the obvious and subtle differences and challenges of working with lap, pedal, and lever harps. Whether you aspire to switch with ease between harp types, play a tune on any harp you encounter, or adapt harp sheet music for a different type of harp, this class offers a thoughtful exploration. Explore posture alterations, refine your technique for different harps and strings, and discover the power of harp-specific warm-ups. Additionally, consider essential aspects when adapting pieces to suit different harp types. We will cover lap, lever, and pedal harps, and briefly reflect on triple, wire  and cross-strung harps. Let’s embrace the diverse world of harp types with confidence!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – The Hands Together Pattern Buster

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION May 2021

The Hands Together Pattern Buster

Let me introduce you to my ‘Hands Together Patterns Buster’ studies!

In this FAIRPLAY IMMERSION we will look at a set of studies designed to help us work on hands together coordination. We look at several hands together ‘pinch points’ in harp playing, delving into why we may find these challenging and looking at practice strategies to help us learn to play with more control and flow next time we meet these ‘pinch points’ in our pieces.

The goal is that if you work on the ‘Hands Together Patterns Buster’ studies, they will over time help with your hands together playing in any piece. Our focus piece “Inside, outside, upside down?” offers additional practice on many of the patterns covered in the study section.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Fancy Tricks

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION March 2021

Fancy Tricks

In this short course we will:

• Discuss why and when it can be useful to have a few fancy tricks up your sleeve (or in your finger tips!)
• Warm up using a dominant 7th ‘fancy trick’ (written out, notes will also be given by ear)
• Try out some general ‘fancy tricks’, from easy to the more challenging!
• Work through an overview of the tune ‘Views of Somerset’ using lead sheet music. In this section we will learn part of the tune together and then try a few ‘fancy tricks’ (embellishment ideas) one by one using the simple melody as our foundation.
• Improvise with a ‘fancy trick’ to finish our session.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – February 2021 – Cross Fingering: You CAN Do It!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 

Cross Fingering: You CAN Do It!

I am aiming to lighten this content with a new cheerful little piece called ‘The Swaying Snowdrop’!

In this IMMERSION we focus on ‘cross fingering’ on the harp. Do I mean playing the harp with angry fingers?! No, but it does appear there is some variation in what people mean by this term. With this in mind, the main focus will be to work on cross fingering in the way I have always know it, for example placing 4321 and then playing 13 then 24 or 24 then 13 in pairs. I am really offering this course by request! Once mastered, this skill can be useful for smoothness of tone, to avoid unnecessary jumps, for accuracy and flow. I will also include an example of thumb slides with crossing fingers underneath and will offer a basic refresher on turning over and under on the harp (a skill always worth working on). Even if you never choose to use ‘cross fingering’ in your playing, I aim for this workshop to help encourage a deeper independence and control of all your fingers.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Lever and Pedal Changes Mystery Solving Adventure!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – August 2021

Lever and Pedal Changes

A Mystery Solving Adventure!

Let’s look at what we might consider for lever/pedal changes in our music. Planning ahead? Thinking harmonically? How to write them? Enharmonic equivalents? How to best practice movements to make the changes? How to interpret the way others write them?  This list goes on! There is some mystery solving to be done, an exercise sheet and a study piece called ‘One Half Step at a Time‘ designed to help you work on adding sharps and flats, this will be a bit of a workout but a useful study to help with any music with accidentals included in the future!

To get the must out of this course you will need a fully levered harp or pedal harp to use during the videos. 

In this short course we will:

• Introduction, we discuss when and where you might need to use lever / pedal changes in your music and the common challenges associated with this
• Foundation skills – look at finding sharps, flats and enharmonic equivalents on different harps and create your own chart for lever or pedal harp.
• Movement practice for lever and pedal changes
• Using semi-tones / half steps for the first time in improvisation, some get you started ideas ideas!
• Explore the different way pedal and lever markings appear on your music.
• Discuss how can the circle of 5ths can help us, useful for thinking harmonically about pedal and lever changes.
• Mystery solve the examples given for lever / pedal changes.
• Try the lever / pedal exercise sheet to practice our skills.
• An Overview of study piece ‘One Half Step at a Time’

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Lever and Pedal Changes Mystery Solving Adventure! (Copy)

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – August 2021

Lever and Pedal Changes

A Mystery Solving Adventure!

Let’s look at what we might consider for lever/pedal changes in our music. Planning ahead? Thinking harmonically? How to write them? Enharmonic equivalents? How to best practice movements to make the changes? How to interpret the way others write them?  This list goes on! There is some mystery solving to be done, an exercise sheet and a study piece called ‘One Half Step at a Time‘ designed to help you work on adding sharps and flats, this will be a bit of a workout but a useful study to help with any music with accidentals included in the future!

To get the must out of this course you will need a fully levered harp or pedal harp to use during the videos. 

In this short course we will:

• Introduction, we discuss when and where you might need to use lever / pedal changes in your music and the common challenges associated with this
• Foundation skills – look at finding sharps, flats and enharmonic equivalents on different harps and create your own chart for lever or pedal harp.
• Movement practice for lever and pedal changes
• Using semi-tones / half steps for the first time in improvisation, some get you started ideas ideas!
• Explore the different way pedal and lever markings appear on your music.
• Discuss how can the circle of 5ths can help us, useful for thinking harmonically about pedal and lever changes.
• Mystery solve the examples given for lever / pedal changes.
• Try the lever / pedal exercise sheet to practice our skills.
• An Overview of study piece ‘One Half Step at a Time’

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Time for Your Left Hand to Shine

In this IMMERSION we turn our full attention to playing beautifully with our left hand.

How often does the right hand hog all the best melodies and impressive moments?

It doesn’t seem fair for the left never to have the limelight! Then, when the left hand is actually called upon to play a more melodic or fast passage we can find that it is lacking in the agility, stamina and tone required to play the music in the way we would like to.

Let’s work to re-aline the balance! 

Using my brand new left hand solo piece for harp ‘If the Wren Can…’ we let your left hand find its moment to shine on your harp. We also look at Reversing the Roles of your hands. This ‘trick’ can be useful and effective when arranging tunes. In this part of the course we focus on listening to and controlling our left hand tone to play a beautiful melody, using the lullaby ‘Suo Gân’ (shared by ear) and explore ideas on how your right hand can accompany this (or any given tune) while the left hand is enjoying hogging the limelight. I know many of you will know this tune very well already, that will help with this challenge.

We use the Fairplay Harp School ‘Power Up Your Left Hand’ exercise sheet to warm up (a worksheet originally created for September 2020 IMMERSION) and even sneak in a little improvising at the end with just our Left Hand to prove it is possible.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Fancy Flourishes

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION March 2021

Fancy Flourishes

In this short course we will:

• Discuss what we mean by right over left/divided between the hands/up and over/crossovers/cross hands playing.
• Try out an ‘Air Harp’ warm up for divided between the hands
• Warm up using some tried and tested strategies for practicing runs of notes divided between the hands
• Practice exercises related to the main piece (The Butterfly Festival) to work on divided between the hands playing
• Learn the main theme of ‘The Butterfly Festival’ by ear.
• Work through a full overview of the tune ‘The Butterfly Festival’ using the sheet music.
• Find out how you might use ‘fancy flourishes’ for improvisation.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Let’s Fake Being Able to Improvise

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION April 2021

Let’s Fake Being Able to Improvise! 

Let’s look at really simple things you can do to ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ when improvising. No fancy stuff, no technical jargon*, just some go to ideas that will help you build confidence and always be able to join in.

In this IMMERSION our warm up will form the foundation of the whole course, I am really excited to work on this with you! We will look at ways to embellish and expand the humble scale and listen very carefully to how the notes of a simple arpeggio can work together in different ways to sound beautiful.

We will then look at 4 ‘Let’s Fake It! Improvisation Springboard‘ ideas to explore  simple, rhythmic, joyful and structured ideas to allow you to  enjoy improvising on your harp.

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION Christmas – Harp Ensemble or Duo? Let’s Sparkle Together 2021

Online short Course  

Follow Your Harp: Make this the Year You Learn THAT Piece

Follow Your Harp: Make this the Year You Learn THAT Piece

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 

WEEK 1 of 52 of The Harpist’s Compass: Mapping a Year of Musical Evolution Series 

(this class was originally delivered live in January 2021 but the ideas and sentiment are relevant whatever the year)

Have you got a piece in your music bag, hiding on a shelf or perhaps even lurking at the back of your music stand that you have been wanting to learn FOREVER but not quite got around to for some reason? Perhaps it looks to hard, too long, you have no time, you are not sure if you are ready for it, you like someone else playing the piece so much you do not know if you should try it or not… or a million other reasons…!  In this IMMERSION I have the aim of sending you away feeling positive and ready to jump in and work on THAT piece you really want to learn to play, whatever the piece is! Please select a piece bring a piece to along with you to the live session (or when you are watching the replay).

The whole course will focus on ways to approach ‘THAT piece’ including finding warm up exercises from within the piece, looking for patterns and repetitions, creating your own practice exercises, planning your practice approach,  preparing your mind for venturing into the new challenge and even some ideas on how you might ‘fake’ your chosen piece!  Unlike most IMMERSIONS, live, we will really use the focus piece as I wish you all to have the time to work with your own chosen music, however, we will use the piece ‘Bat, Bat, Come Out Of My Hat’ as a discussion point and after the live course I will provide a teaching video and play-along for this music as an extra!

From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary (Arranging Part 1) – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 19th February 2023

From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary (Arranging Part 1) 

Are you keen to build on your arranging skills? In 2023 I am offering 3 arranging IMMERSIONS where we will look at ideas for taking a simple tune and making it your own. During ‘From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary (Arranging Part 1) we will be looking at ways to add notes under a melody to add depth and beauty to our pieces. Learning to take a melody line and adding harmony notes with the right hand under the tune can be started with some very simple guidelines to follow and then elaborated as your confidence builds. In this session we will look at some ‘go-to’ ideas and put our skills into practice using the beautiful Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi lead sheet and my brand new tune ‘Seeking the Phoenix’ lead sheet. 

IMMERSION – Metronome Magic

METRONOME MAGIC

Online Short Course

Including Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night) and Mozart

START HARP IMMERSION 

WEEK 3 of 52 of The Harpist’s Compass: Mapping a Year of Musical Evolution Series 

As a musician, whatever your level, the metronome is your best friend. Does this ring true to you or do you just secretly sometimes feel like you would like to chuck it out of a window?! During this IMMERSION we will discuss how you can learn to work well with your metronome using exercise and techniques that will over time help you improve on your flow, agility and speed. Basically I will try to really show you why teachers endlessly go on about how great they are.

We will also work together on Ar Hyd y Nos  (All Through the Night), they will include passages that would benefit from metronome practice so we can look at these using some of the techniques and exercises we work on. We will also look briefly at an extract from the middle movement of the Mozart flute and harp concerto, as this piece really made me embrace my metronome and I would like to to share WHY!

Know Your Shapes – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 28th August 2022

Know Your Shapes – To Improve Confidence when Sight-Reading, Improvising and Memorising Music.

Following on from the free ‘Harp Secrets’ Webinar ’12 Flourishing Shapes to Happy Harping (missed it?! you can watch the replay >>HERE<<) I am excited to offer this IMMERSION class to dive in deeper to the practical application 9 foundation shapes and 12 flourishing shapes.

During the workshop we working on concepts that you can apply to any tune, helping to improve confidence when reading, improvising and/or memorising a new piece on your harp without ever getting that frustrated feeling you are ‘starting from scratch’ ever again! I will also share my brand new tune Eissen and share how shapes can help when learning this (and any) tune.

What will the course include?

• Welcome and overview
• Let’s warm up – using shapes!
• The 9 foundation shapes
• The 12 flourishing shapes
• Practice hacks
• Using the shapes to help when reading music
• Using shapes to aid memorisation
• Using shapes to help when improvising
• Overview of brand new tune ‘Eissen’ – can shapes help?
• Thank you and goodbye 

Lap Harp Olympics?! – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 28th May 2023

Lap Harp Olympics?!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Introducing Lap Harp Olympics!

Join us for a joyful journey into the world of lap harps, where we will unlock the full potential of your instrument!

Are you ready to explore the endless possibilities of your lap harp? Whether your musical taste leans towards traditional melodies, classical compositions, catchy pop tunes, or captivating show tunes, we’ve got you covered. Perhaps you have been dreaming of improvising freely on your lap harp, letting your creativity soar. Or maybe you’re seeking a portable practice companion for your musical adventures on the go. You might even be looking to accompany your own singing, collaborate with fellow musicians, or add a touch of enchantment to your storytelling. If you’ve ever wanted to adapt sheet music written for other harp types to your lap harp, I will give you my top tips on how to go about it!

During our IMMERSION class, we will delve into getting comfortable with your lap harp and discover techniques to enhance your playing. You’ll learn how to effectively use your harp as a warm-up instrument and maintain your practice routine with effective exercise ideas. We will unveil arranging hacks and discuss potentail challenges for the lap harp when re-purposing music written for other harp types. Get ready to explore mesmerising soundscapes for improvisation and storytelling, where your lap harp will become your creative canvas. And last but not least, we’ll ignite your imagination with a wide range of chord ideas for delightful accompaniments on a smaller harp range.

While our focus will be on lap harps tuned in C without levers, fear not! Our class is designed to be accessible to chromatic and semi-chromatic harp players as well.

Join us for Lap Harp Olympics and embark on a delightful musical journey that will take your lap harp skills to new heights! Sign up today and let your lap harp shine like never before!

Loop Lab: Layering Sound & Creativity – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Loop Lab: Layering Sound & Creativity

 Sunday 25th May –3pm-5pm (GMT+1)

Ready to get loopy? We’ll explore looping exercises, sound-scaping techniques, loop builds, looping as a practice aid and even overview a few pieces designed for looping, helping you layer textures and build exciting harp soundscapes!

Looping opens up a whole new world of creativity for harpists – from building free time soundscapes to crafting fully layered rhythmic loops for performances as a solo player. In this IMMERSION session, we’ll dive into the world of live looping, exploring layering harp textures using a looper pedal to build both confidence and musical creativity.

With a mix of guided warm-ups, structured loop creations, and loop ready pieces, you’ll practice both the footwork and creative mindset to have looping a joyful part of your learning and performing toolkit.

Move That Tune – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 10th April 2022

Move that Tune! Add variety to your arrangements, an interesting new dimension to your warm ups or transpose for other musicians on your harp.

During the workshop we working on concepts that you can apply to any tune, we will test them using ideas I will teach by ear and also using the wonderful Welsh Tune Calon Lân.

What will the course include?

• Welcome and Overview
• Warming Up In Different Keys
• Why ‘Move That Tune’?
• Overview of Calon Lân
• Standard Transposition Methods
• Chords by Numbers
• Melody By Numbers
• Let’s ‘Move That Tune’! Calon Lân
• Just for fun, what about moving tunes into other modes?
• Thank you and Goodbye 

Pedal Harp Orientation: A Beginner’s Expedition  – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Sunday 7th September 2025 – 3pm-5pm (GMT+1/BST)

Pedal Harp Orientation: A Beginner’s Expedition 

Sunday 7th September 2025 – 3:00–5:00pm (GMT+1)
Online Short Course – Attend Live or Watch the Replay Anytime

Placing Power – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 16th October 2022

Playing Out? Have No Fear! FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – October 2021

Playing Out? Have No Fear!

In this IMMERSION we explore ways to circumvent the trepidation of performing in front of other people! This will focus on practical ideas and strategies including a set of ideas in our ‘Ice Breaker’ that you can use straight away whatever your level, and a little simple ditty I have written specially to lie under your fingers called ‘Harp, Skip, Jump’. I will also share my own personal story getting to grips with ‘Performing Out? Have No Fear!’ and some of the mindset hints and tips I have gathered or fallen into discovering along the (bumpy) way!

This course is suitable for all harp types including lap harp 3 octave range with no levers. 

In this short course we will:

• Look at the overview of what we will cover during the session.
• Warm Up –  trying out ways to warm up in front of people and sound lovely!
• I will share my ‘Performing Out? Have No Fear’ journey so far – some of the mindset hints and tips I have gathered or fallen into discovering along the way!
• Learn a little ditty designed to lie under your hand called ‘Harp, Skip, Jump’
• Discuss practical ideas we can put in place when preparing to perform a piece or concert such as programming, safety points, exit points, improvisation loops even audience assistance!
• Play the ‘Ice Breaker’ Worksheet to create an instantly performable ‘piece’ suited exactly to your current ability, whatever that may be.
• Discuss playing for your audience, I believe it is not about us when we perform, it is about the music and the people we are playing for. What can we do to help ourselves and audiences experience this?
• Try practical ideas to help you when performing out with other musicians.

Rhythms Made Easy – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Rhythms Made Easy

Rhythms Untangled – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Rhythms Untangled

In this IMMERSION we delve into strategies to successfully count out, practice any play rhythms between the two staves, with the aim of getting the left hand and right hand to play confidently and correctly in time together. This IMMERSION will also be helpful to anyone who finds it challenging to play hands together smoothly. My goal is not only to teach you how to play particular rhythms given out in class (we will work on a number of common challenging patterns) but to impart strategies and confidence, enabling you to work out the counting and practice successfully for yourself. This way, you can learn to play ANY RHYTHM with greater confidence.

SPECIAL OFFER! The HARP IMMERSIONS of Christmas Past!

This package will give you access to 15 Christmas tunes and approximately 6 hours of video lesson tuition.

Online short Courses – Pre-Recorded Content Available NOW! 

Speedy Playing? A work in Progress! FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Speedy Playing? A work in Progress!

By request, in this IMMERSION I will be sharing a workout ‘Speed and Dexterity, a Work in Progress’ created to increase our speed and dexterity at the harp. We will look at an overview of a piece called ‘Whispers of Tomorrow’ to explore practice ideas that can assist when working to speed up our playing. We also explore how improvisation can help us with speed and flow in our playing.

I am including my pre-recorded ‘Metronome Magic’ IMMERSION as a free bonus in this course (usually £35) as I strongly believe working with the metronome to be a highly effective way to work on increasing our speed at the harp. 

START HARP IMMERSION – ‘Greensleeves’ and ‘Mansion Blues’

Online short Course 

In this Immersion we will focus on two contrasting pieces, one is the very well know and loved ‘Greensleeves’ (also know as ‘What Child is This’). The second is a 12 bar blues I have written called ‘Mansion Blues’ which is basically very simple and fun but there are lots of extension ideas you can enjoy to make this as complicated as you like!

START HARP IMMERSION – ‘Morning’ (Grieg) and The ‘START HARP Swing’ Improvisation

A START HARP IMMERSION

In this START HARP IMMERSION we will focus on two pieces, one is my harp arrangement of ‘Morning’ from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite. A beautiful 3/4 flowing melody that lies nicely under the hand, also offering the chance to work add in grace notes to embellish the tune. This piece also lends itself to a gentle improvised introduction so we will look briefly at ideas for this too. The second piece I will be teaching so we can all improvise and then if you choose, write, our own swing time tune. I will base the foundation of this on one of my pieces called Mixit which some of you may be familiar with!

START HARP IMMERSION – ‘Spring Tide of Hope’ and ‘Growing for the Future’

Online short Course 

In this Immersion we will focus on two original contrasting pieces, one is ‘Spring Tide of Hope’ a piece that flows and swells like a high tide coming in and then gently fades away, it has proved very popular in workshops with my Dynamic Harps students. The second is a piece is called ‘Growing for the Future’ and it a tune I have written ready to premier at the 9th National Botanic Garden of Wales family harp weekend this June. It is named after their ‘Growing the Future’ project that has already involved over 5000 people being trained in planting, sowing and growing. I like to think there are lots of crossovers here for START HARP where we are planting, sowing and growing more harpists for the future! Both pieces can be played as a solo or in a group.

START HARP IMMERSION – “Caught at Insole” Lesson

A BETA test session for students who either taking or have already completed START HARP Level 1, 2 and/or 3.

This session will run live 3pm-5pm BST Sunday 5th August 2018, you can now sign up to join the live session and to gain access the recorded lessons afterwards. There will be a short break after about an hour during the live session.

When you sign up you will automatically receive a confirmation on email and then 48 hours before a link to the online classroom and invitation to the live chat.

As well as learning the tune “Caught at Insole” we will:

• Play a warm up together at the beginning.
• Look at exercises related to the piece to focus in on tricky sections (everyday exercises!).
• Look at a technique for using pivots the left hand, this can enable us to play wide stretches (e.g. 1-5-10 or bigger!).
• Practise some fun improvisation ideas that can be used to extend the piece.
• We will look at 2 very different ways of interpreting and playing the piece.
• We will have a playing by ear challenge too!

You will have 12 months access to these videos. It is rather like one week of a START HARP 12 week course!

START HARP IMMERSION – Brahms Lullaby and Sebastian’s Tune

A START HARP IMMERSION

In this START HARP IMMERSION we will focus on two pieces, one is my harp arrangement of the famous Brahms lullaby. This is such a beautiful, simple and tender melody, but we also look at lots of extension ideas and a countermelody so you can enjoy making this as complicated as you like. The second tune I will teach by ear, written for my son this is simply called ‘Sebastian’s Tune’. I was told by one person after playing it at a recent concert that the piece musically conjured up images of castles and knights!

START HARP IMMERSION – Simple Gifts and Amazing Grace

A START HARP IMMERSION

In this START HARP IMMERSION we will focus on two pieces, one is my new harp arrangement of ‘Simple Gifts’, a beautiful tune I have so enjoyed playing within orchestra as part of Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring’ (YouTube orchestral version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6RYZygevA). The second piece we will be looking at is Amazing Grace, which I am going to use to teach you ways we can create variations and countermelodies to pieces, I will also share one of my own for this well know hymn.

START HARP IMMERSION – Spiralling Shoots Lessons

A BETA test session for students who either taking or have already completed START HARP Level 1, 2 and/or 3.

This session ran live 3pm-5pm BST Sunday 29th April 2018, you can now sign up to received the recorded lessons!

When you sign up Shelley Fairplay will email you within 48 hours a link to the online classroom where you can access all the PDF sheet music and the video lessons.

This session works around the piece “Spiralling shoots”, which is also the tune START HARP students are invited to performa a the 7th National Botanic Garden of Wales Family Harp Weekend (30th June / 1st July 2018).

As well as learning the tune we:

• Play a warm up together at the beginning.
• Look at exercises related to the piece to focus in on tricky sections (everyday exercises!).
• Look at a special damping technique useful when playing ascending and descending sections in pieces.
• Practise some fun improvisation ideas that can be used to extend the piece.
• We will have a playing by ear challenge too!

You will have 12 months access to these videos. It is rather like one week of a START HARP 12 week course!

Stories with Harp for Young Children – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Stories with Harp for Young Children

During this FAIRPLAY IMMERSION I share my favourite tried and tested tricks I have used over the years when working with young children and telling stories at the harp in schools and at community events. We look at musical snippets for ‘The Fairy Harp’ and ‘The Billy Goats Gruff’ along with experimenting and exploring ideas for other traditional folk tales. We will also look at a simple jolly little country dance style ditty that can be used to create group participation in many situations. Many of the ideas covered will be transferable to other composition and arrangement work on your harp.

Technique Booster Course – Explore, Revive, Reflect

Online short Course  

This course is aimed at harpists seeking ways to work on smoother, more agile, controlled, beautiful and happy playing. This course will provide a ‘library of ideas’ you can return to again and again and also a ‘Technique Booster Plan’ to enable to you to check and reflect on your playing whenever you feel a little technique refresher might be required.

When you sign up you will automatically receive a confirmation on email from this website. You will then receive and invitation to the Ruzuku classroom within 48 hours and an email from Shelley. If you do not receive any details when expected please check your spam/junk file and if it is not hiding there email me on info@harpwales.com.

FULL DETAILS BELOW

The Art of Lively Harp Techniques – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 18th June 2023

Unleash Your Musical Brilliance with…

…The Art of Lively Harp Techniques!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – June 2023

Welcome to this transformative course where I invite you to explore the captivating world of energetic and lively harp techniques. If you’re eager to infuse your harp playing with energy and drive, you’ve come to the right place. Prepare to embark on a unique journey as we delve into these techniques like never before!

In this course, we will unlock the secrets to creating energy and drive in your harp playing. Get ready to dive deep into the vibrant world of lively harp techniques, where each note resonates with power and passion. From dynamic slap bass to the rhythmic étouffée left-hand thumb, from bold stab chords to captivating strummed chords, and let’s not forget the essential element—getting into the groove with your bass patterns!

The Beauty of Simplicity – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION March 13th 2022

The Beauty of Simplicity

Working on the quality of your sound and truly ‘being in the moment’ to create magic beyond the notes.

Have I ever been this excited about a new online IMMERSION harp course? I believe many of the concepts are easy and enjoyable to incorporate immediately into day to day playing and I literally cannot wait to deliver this course live Sunday 13th March 2022!

In this course ‘The Beauty of Simplicity’, we are looking at how to create a beautiful sound on single notes and in simple music by considering what we can do before, during and after playing each note. We will also think of internal and external factors that can affect our sound and embrace the power of silence in our music.  I have written a new tune called ‘Crepuscular Rays’ (a piece in Mixolydian mode) to work on these concepts during the course. I share the piece in two arrangements, one simple and one more advanced, so we can finish the course by looking at the importance and relevance of ‘The Beauty of Simplicity’ in our advanced playing.

THE BIG CHRISTMAS PLAY ALONG! FAIRPLAY IMMERSION DECEMBER 2022

The Big Christmas Play Along –

Including the Top 5 JUST JOIN IN Ideas! 

 IMMERSION DECEMBER 2022

Online short Course  – Attend live or watch replay anytime

In this final Fairplay Harp School IMMERSION of 2022 for the Fairplay Harp School I am excited to present to you ‘THE BIG CHRISTMAS PLAY ALONG’.  During the first half of the session we will warm up using a dominant 7th chord to exploring thriving at our individual levels, we then explore my TOP 5 ‘JUST JOIN IN’ go to ideas including simplification and expansion suggestions, we practice making ‘at sight’ decisions on what you will / will not play when in a ‘joining in’ play along situation, overview the ways you can play the harp from non-harp scores and explore our mindset during unplanned music making sessions.

During the second half of the session we will embrace joyful imperfect music making with the BIG CHRISTMAS PLAY ALONG covering O Little Town of Bethlehem, Deck the Halls, We Three Kings, The Holly and the Ivy, The First Nowell, Silent Night, O Christmas Tree and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! Sounds ambitious?! Of course not when you are equipped with my TOP 5 ‘JUST JOIN IN’ go to ideas!

I cannot wait, what a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the year!

The Brain to Finger Strengthening Challenge! – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION 18th September 2022 / 21st September 2022

The Brain to Finger Strengthening Challenge!

Games, tips and workouts to improve your brain to finger connection when playing.

Ever find your brain is telling your fingers what to do but they are having none of it? You know exactly what needs to happen, yet perhaps a different finger plays, or a finger slips, or lands on the neighbouring string, goes in too slowly and makes a buzz, two fingers land on one string, or even nothing happens at all?! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! These are common harp student challenges!

In this IMMERSION I aim to give you some games, tips and workouts as strategies to help us get our fingers and brain to connect up as fast as possible, so we can achieve that flow, agility, speed and beautiful sound (or whatever else you are currently seeking that needs your fingers to behave) at your harp!

As well as tips, ideas and strategies (including two sets of exercises) you can look forward to a more lighthearted approach with 3 harp games; Air Harp to Freedom, Pin the Tail on the Donkey – Harp Style and Spin the Tuning Key (4 editions available; rhythm, placing, notes and keys). I have so enjoyed thinking up these harp practice games for you, I am smiling as I write this and I cannot wait to hear how you get on with them all!

What will the course include?

• Welcome and overview
• Top tips to improve agility, speed and flow
• Game 1: Air Harp to Freedom!
• Game 2: Pin the Tail on the Donkey – Harp Style!
• Game 3: Spin the Tuning Key! 4 Editions to work with, you can play any that suit your current needs; rhythm, placing, notes and keys.
• A brief look at how to use ‘Hands Together Coordination Exercises’ as a workout
• A brief look at how to use ‘Improving Speed and Dexterity – A Work in Progress‘ as a workout
• Groove your way into the flow! Ideas on how you can improvise using a snippet from any piece to strengthen brain to finger connection!
• Thank you and goodbye 

Time Signatures Uncovered! – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – 16th April 2023

Time Signatures Uncovered!

FAIRPLAY IMMERSION

Do you ever find working out your counting a little tricky? In this IMMERSION we look at counting and rhythm work in duple, quintuple, septuple and compound time signatures.  What are the best practices for working out, counting and playing in time signatures that take us away from the ‘comfortable’ space of 4/4 or 3/4? Let’s look at the rules that are transferable and where we need other survival strategies! At the end of the session we will learn a short ditty called ‘Time for a Change?!’ to practice changing the time signature so we can see, hear and feel the difference in our playing. It is time to count (and cheat!) your way to success. 

Unlocking Agility: A Work in Progress! – FAIRPLAY IMMERSION – Sunday 16th March – 3pm-5pm (GMT)

Unlocking Agility: A Work in Progress!

Sunday 16th March – 3pm-5pm (GMT)

Playing with ease and flow often feels like the holy grail of harp technique! This IMMERSION session will focus on practice methods and technical exercises to help you unlock agility in your playing, covering placing, finger independence, hands-together coordination, and even cross-fingering.

With a mix of structured exercises, exploration, and improvisation, this session will help you develop the confidence, control, and speed to navigate the harp with greater ease.

📅 Live on Sunday 16th March 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM GMT on Zoom.

Warm Up Workout! FAIRPLAY IMMERSION January 9th 2022

Warm Up Workouts!

By request, in this IMMERSION I will be sharing a warm up I created and have used myself for many years. During the session I will also help you begin to write your very own bespoke warm up.