I am thankful for so many people in the harp world. This month, I would like to thank and honor my harp teachers.

I was blessed to be taught by two outstanding teachers.

One afternoon, near the end of my first semester at the University of Redlands, I walked into the harp room and asked the teacher, Marjorie Call, if I could take lessons and learn to play the harp. I was so happy when she said yes!

Besides expertly teaching me to play the pedal harp, Marjorie also encouraged me to arrange music. Under her guidance, I created several harp and flute duets, including The Swan by Saint-Saëns.

After graduation, I assumed I would never play the harp again because I couldn't afford to buy one. Marjorie, however, took this on as a project and convinced me to purchase a used Lyon & Healy Style 17 pedal harp that one of her students was selling for $3,000. That was my harp #1.

The following year, in 1972, I traveled to Ireland and bought my first Celtic harp from Walton's Music in Dublin. That was my harp #2.

In 1973, I studied with Susann McDonald at Cal State LA for one year. Although Susann usually taught pedal harp, she encouraged me to expand my horizons by playing both harps and experimenting with a variety of styles and musical genres. I often tell people that she was my best teacher in any subject. She could explain how to improve my playing in just a few sentences, and the results were immediate.

I often wonder what my life would have been like without the expert training and encouragement from two supportive and inspirational harp teachers and mentors. They started me on a life-long journey filled with the love of the harp.

Thank you, Marjorie Call and Susann McDonald. You changed my life and gave it a greater purpose. I will be forever grateful.

Sylvia

P.S. This Thanksgiving, be sure to send special thanks to your teachers and all those who have helped you on your harp journey.

Although my first book is titled Teach YOURSELF to Play the Folk Harp, I strongly believe in harp players taking lessons with a teacher. Lessons are essential for beginners because it is much better and easier to start with good habits instead of having to fix bad habits at a later time. But no matter where you are on your harp journey, a teacher can offer valuable feedback, techniques, and guidance.

I include over 660 teachers on my website's Harp Teacher List. I've organized the U.S. teachers by state and zip code and international teachers by their country. In addition, all teachers are listed alphabetically by last name at the bottom of the page.

Over 500 teachers on my list teach both lever and pedal harps. The rest teach one type of harp or the other.

I love it when harp students tell me they found a wonderful teacher on my website and are happily learning new skills, and when teachers thank me for helping them get new students.

Now, here's where you come in. I would appreciate your help in getting more teachers to sign up and ensuring my list is accurate.

If you are a current harp STUDENT, visit my Harp Teacher List and see if your teacher is listed. If they are not there, encourage them to sign up.

If you are a harp STUDENT looking for a teacher, go to my Harp Teacher List and search for one in your area. If there are none close to you, remember that most teachers on the list also teach through Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're sure to find the perfect teacher for you!

If you are a harp TEACHER currently on my list, please check to be sure your information on my Harp Teacher List is still correct and up-to-date. If you want me to make any changes, email me at sylvia@harpcenter.com and let me know your revisions. Please be specific.

If you are a harp TEACHER ready to be added to my list, click this link and complete the survey. (You can also find the red link on the Harp Teacher List page.) Listings are FREE. There is a one-time $10 charge if you want to add a photo or have your listing added in a second state or zip code.

EVERYONE: I rely on all of you to help me keep the information on my site current. For example, if you know of a harp teacher who recently passed away, please check and see if they are listed on my site, and let me know. Also, if a teacher has moved to another location, I'd love to hear about that so I can contact them for updated information.

Let's all work together to help more people learn to play the harp!

Here are some of the PDFs I've added to harpcenter.com this past month.

Douglas Beck

Moonlight includes three new pieces inspired by well-known classical composers. Watch the videos on the product page.

Brook Boddie

The First Noel is a unique and evocative setting of this timeless Christmas carol for intermediate players

Kathleen Blackwell-Plank

Manx Music for Harp includes four intermediate-level arrangements of Manx folk tunes.

Pisgah Sleeps is an original composition for solo harp, with optional voice. Watch the video on the product page.

Carolyn Mills

Enchantment includes five short, original compositions for all ages. Watch the videos on the product page.

Since this newsletter is all about teachers, I would also like to honor my students. Where would we harp teachers be without them?!? I am happy and proud to teach online students of all levels worldwide. This month's sale features some publications my students enjoyed playing this year.

To my harp students: Thank you for letting me get to know you and guide you on your harp journey. I love watching your playing skills grow and develop as we work together. You are an essential and inspirational part of my life, and I thank you.

To get the 15% discount, enter the code Students in the "Enter Promo Code" box on your shopping cart page and click "Enter Code" by November 30, 2023. See the "How to get the 15% discount" section at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.

Teach Yourself to Play

the Folk Harp

arranged by Sylvia Woods

book or PDF

CD or mp3, DVD

15% off with

Students code

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Music Theory and Arranging Techniques

arranged by Sylvia Woods

PDF or book

15% off with

Students code

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Pachelbel's Canon

arranged by Sylvia Woods

book or PDF

CD or mp3

15% off with

Students code

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40 O'Carolan Tunes

arranged by Sylvia Woods

book or PDF

CD or mp3

15% off with

Students code

------------------------------

50 Irish Melodies

arranged by Sylvia Woods

book or PDF

CD or mp3

15% off with

Students code

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52 Scottish Songs

arranged by Sylvia Woods

book or PDF

CD or mp3

15% off with

Students code

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Stairway to Heaven

arranged by Sylvia Woods

PDF or sheet

15% off with

Students code

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Hallelujah

arranged by Sylvia Woods

PDF or sheet

15% off with

Students code

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My Heart Will Go On: Love Theme from "Titanic"

arranged by Sylvia Woods

PDF or sheet

15% off with

Students code

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Highland Heart

arranged by Kim Robertson

PDF

15% off with

Students code

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Basically Bach

arranged by Rhett Barnwell

PDF

15% off with

Students code

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Danny Boy

arranged by Deborah Friou

PDF or sheet

15% off with

Students code

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15% off select sale items when you use the code word Students

Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Students.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Students in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."

The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. For example,

   Unit Price: $9.95 (the original price)

   Total Price: $8.46 (the discounted price)

You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage amount of the discount.

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Students in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by November 30, 2023, to get the discount!

If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email Sylvia immediately.  

This offer expires at the end of the day on 11/30/2023.