Workshops
Interested in this year's High Cascade Harp Camp hosted by Laura?
Click
here for details.
Laura Zaerr is available for workshops in the subject areas below, and also 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 or master class, contact Laura at laura@LauraZaerr.com.
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.
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.
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