Interested in this year's High Cascade Harp Camp hosted by Laura? Download info and registration form here. [PDF]

Laura Zaerr is available for workshops in the following subject areas:

The Basics of Beauty and Fire

Phase one of this beginning workshop deals with the basics of playing with beautiful ringing tone. Rediscover the hidden resonance with-in your instrument by approaching each note with a relaxed and supple arm, wrist, hand, and finger. We will work on specific exercises and techniques to develop an ear that longs for beauty in every note. Phase two deals with developing facility and fluency on the harp. We will address issues such as cross-overs, rapid arpeggios, repeated octaves, dynamic control, and generally how to gain that speed and even tone quality that is the envy of every player.

World Beat Riffs in Celtic Music

From the complex djembe poly-rhythms of West Africa to the foot-stomping reels of the Scottish Highlands this workshop explores the harp’s rhythmic potential in a unique and challenging series of experiments. Phase one involves each harp playing an intricate interlocking pattern of multi-layered rhythmic motives. Each player must listen intently to discover the overall resultant rhythm. Phase two requires a cross-cultural leap. We begin to incorporate some of the coolest rhythmic motives into some high energy Celtic tunes.

Composing on the Lever Harp

In this workshop we will explore three specific techniques to enhance your creative bag of tricks. The first, “play by number,” will use a random sequence of numbers to create a melody, and then use our ears to flesh out the harmonies. This could be a telephone number, a birthday, or a random sequence. Then we will explore the “double diad” method of creating two intervals, one dissonant, one consonant, thereby forming movement and direction with-in the tonal palette. The two intervals will then be expanded to form chords, which may in turn suggest a melody. The third system of composition is really an improvisatory exercise. We find a finger pattern which fits well in the hand, and through a series of minor variations, transform the pattern into a meaningful sequence. Be prepared for your ears to be expanded. Some of these tonalities may not always sound very traditional.

Arranging for the Lever Harp

This workshop is a practical guide to a few successful arrangement techniques. We will take an existing tune, and watch with an analytical eye and ear how the melody is transformed through various treatments. We will cover open harmonies, left hand melody techniques, right hand arpeggiated melody techniques, use of harmonics, substitute chords, non-chord tones including suspensions, the effects of register changes, modal treatment and more. Special attention will be given to the intended impact of each treatment in order to create a meaningful and thoughtful presentation.

Musical Landscapes (All levels)

• Create musical textures using small motifs in canonic repetition Increase independence of left and right hands
• Shows how to incorporate these ideas into original compositions and arrangements
• All levels will be challenged

World Rhythms in Celtic Music (Intermediate to advanced)

• Explore metrical variations as found in Middle Eastern drumming and Balkan folk dances
• Experience the feel of asymmetrical meters
• Shows how to super-impose asymmetrical meters into simple Celtic tunes

Modes de-mystified (All levels)

• Experience and work within the six most common modes
• Discover how to distinguish between them
• Learn to move comfortably from one to another in several different keys

Daily warm-ups (Intermediate to advanced)

• Improve fluency and tone
• Each etude can also be used as a basis for improvisation

Ideas for composing and improvising (All levels)

• Add to your creative bag of tricks
• Address rhythmic variation, melodic development, harmonic expansion, and more

Laura is also available for master classes. With over fifteen years of teaching experience she emphasizes a relaxed technique as it pertains to clear musical phrasing.

To inquire about scheduling a workshop, contact Laura at laura@laurazaerr.com