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Post by littleraven on Nov 13, 2008 16:28:46 GMT -1
Two other life-changing experiences happened at that OBOD camp. There was no central fire, but lots of hearth fires around the field. Around these people were telling stories, singing songs, speaking poetry, almost all of it relating to the old tales of this land. I was sitting listening to a poem when a voice asked, "Can I play my harp beside your fire?" Her name was Siggy and she played beautifully. I'd seen Fiona Davidson at a PF conference earlier in the year, and when Siggy said I could play the harp in the morning I jumped at the chance. When I got home I sold my Premier Black Shadow resonator drum kit, and bought a Starfish Columba lap harp. Moving this theme across, I was considering this particular aspect of Damhs post. I don’t want it to be a ‘justify neo-Druidry/validate re-con’ but more of an exploring the why of it, and indeed a somewhat ironic aspect. I thought it a shame that you would sell your drums for a harp (do you still play drums at all?). Is there a reason why the harp is so prevalent in Druidry? (serious question) Obviosuly there is a somewhat 'romantic' aspect to it, a perceived connection to the ancient Druids, but the harp is itself separated from the Druids by many centuries. Does it raise any more of an emotional response than a kick drum with a double bass pedal played fast at a rock gig? I argue not, although that emotional response is definitely a different one. Personally, using my Ibanez RG520QS electric, I can play a fast E Phrygian run over a D drone in a metal context and know that I am evoking the same musical emotions that Plato spoke of. One of the intriguing things that constantly crops up within neo-Druidry is the stated irrelevance of the re-constructionist approach, but there remains a fascination with the ancient undoubtedly through the connotations of the name. Here is an example of neo-Druidryseemingly trying to connect, yet me as a perceived 'hard re-con' happy to accept the modern. I find that kind of ironic.
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Post by Tegernacus on Nov 13, 2008 16:39:45 GMT -1
I think it's coming from the Welsh/Irish/Scottish traditions, in combination with the classic post-renaissance "druid" paintings of the guy with the harp. Again, it stems from that Iolo-ish nostalgia.
I love me a good bit of harp, but in a Welsh context. To hear a harpist play, is magical. But not in a druidic way. Just like I love a good bit of fiddle, but in a "jiggy folk" way, not a druidic way.
It's whatever gets you going, right? I'm surprised there aren't more druid metal bands, or druid rap bands. Why? Playing the harp isn't compulsary. Leave it to the experts (like BB)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2008 17:26:32 GMT -1
We should let Damh speak for himself, but lmaybe he just felt a more special connection with the harp?
I played the piano for many years before I discovered flutes. But the first time I played my renaissance alto flute I felt so much in love with the sound and the resonance that I needed to play and play..I play flute for five years now an it is much more my instrument than the piano. After a shorter time of apprending I play at a much higher level, as well. It is a question of connection between me and the instrument.
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Post by Adam on Nov 13, 2008 18:02:33 GMT -1
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Post by Tegernacus on Nov 13, 2008 18:08:03 GMT -1
Sorry Ennys, I wasn't speaking for Damh, just thinking aloud. Yeah, I know there are bands like the Dolmen. I like Damh's stuff, but then I like folky music, so the fact he's singing about pagan subjects is irrelevant (I would like it if he sang about boozing... hold on, that's a pagan subject lol). What I mean is, playing the harp doesn't make it authentic. It's not necessary to hold the imagination, unless you're someone who loves hearing the harp. I'm sure the mediaeval bards would have used an Access Virus if they had them around at the time
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2008 18:11:45 GMT -1
good question. I do still play drums when I get the chance but I think they are one of those instruments that benefit from the band scenario. Regarding the harp thing - it was a completely emotional thing. It was the sound, and when combined with poetry or storytelling I was powerless to resist! I think music is a truly universal language but when it comes to fireside bardic entertainment the acoustic instruments tend to be the best option. I'm sure it would be possible to tell a tale accompanied by electric guitar through a Marshall stack, butsomehow the harp seems to work better. I'm writing this on my phone which is why it's not very in depth, but that's the gist of it.
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Post by arth_frown on Nov 13, 2008 18:16:52 GMT -1
Drums seem more common amongst Druids I hardly know any druids who play the harp, only two I can think of, Damh and Siggy. It seems more druids are into Guitar, poetry, arts and crafts than the general public. Question is did they become harpist first or Druids?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2008 10:29:02 GMT -1
At the Mac now To me the harp is a truly magical instrument. It is, as far as I know, the only instrument to have been inspired by a weapon. The twang of the hunter's bow is where the harp originated. If you look around the world harps of many kinds are played, and they have truly ancient origins. I have no source material with me, but I do remember one of the classical writers mentioning an instrument 'like a lyre' being used to accompany the Bard whilst storytelling and singing. It's also a really easy instrument to learn, up to a playable degree of proficiency. There are instruments that, whilst people are learning, can sound dreadful - whistles, bagpipes, fiddles to name a few. The notation layout of the harp, with its semitone levers means its quiet hard to play a really bum note (definitely possible, just a lot harder), so even someone twinkling on the harp and learning can sound like the music of the Sidhe. The love of music is about taste. So not every guitarist's playing brings me closer to my Gods. But there are players who are so at one with their instrument that it is like the instrument sings to their touch. This list is obviously personal, and other people will feel there are others, but Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Vai, David Gilmour are a few. With the guitar it is the 'player' who provides the magic, but to me, with the harp, it is the instrument itself that seems to guide your hands. Its hard to explain, and pretty weird. I don't tend to play the harp in public. It's my instrument of devotion. It's the one I will take into the woods and play to the Spirits, and they do seem (from my experience) to hear the harp. Playing the harp, at Beltane, in a bluebell covered woodland is a magical experience in itself, let alone for the dog walkers who come across you
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Post by Tegernacus on Nov 14, 2008 13:41:55 GMT -1
I agree, I love the harp. Saying that, I recently heard two versions of the Gododdin. One was by Robin Williamson, accompanied by the harp. Which was very nice. Then I dug out my version by Test Department, the Gododdin accompanied by dustbins lids, tin sheets and bagpipes. There was no comparison, the Test Dept one blew Rob's version away, emotionally and spiritually. My partner said "what's that racket!? put the harp back on..." lol. So I don't the instrument has an internal magic, it's how it resonates with you, and also where/how it is performed. A harp played in a shopping center won't be the same as a harp played in a candle-lit mediaeval hall, or bluebell wood
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Post by Blackbird on Nov 14, 2008 14:05:23 GMT -1
Hard to say for me which came first... I've always been fascinated by the harp, but being from a large family, it was impossible for my parents to afford one for me. So I'd spend many happy hours playing the egg-slicer or taking the front off our upright piano and playing on the wires. It's just something I always wanted to do, and I was thrilled that I did take to the instrument once I'd finally managed to save up and buy one.
I'm not sure how long harps have been around in Britain, but I'd guess at it being a long time. The earliest evidence for triangular harps is from around 6CE (in Scotland), but we do know that rectangular harps were around in Ireland prior to that. Given that it's a very simple way of making a sound, I see no reason why some kind of proto-harp might not have existed for a few thousand years. Or at least, for as long as people have been making bow strings...
It's not just pagans who respond to the harp. There's something about it that seems to touch people on a deep level. So much so that I have to keep a box of kleenexe in the harp room, as clients choosing music are almost always reduced to tears. I've no idea why this should be, or why people respond like that to the harp and not to, say, the piano, which is obviously very similar.
Brythonically of course, the harp is very much linked to the bardic tradition, and in medieval society, the harpers held quite high status. (Bards and harpers were not necessarily the same people. Looking at old accounts, it seems to have been more usual that they were not). So I think it very appropriate that Brythonic pagans should want to learn the harp, given its cultural and artistic importance in these islands over such a long time period.
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Post by Midori on Nov 17, 2008 16:56:08 GMT -1
Oh BB, Plucking inside the piano was what I used to do too! I hated that keyboard with a passion, but I really loved plucking!
Cheers, Midori
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Post by Adam on Nov 17, 2008 17:12:21 GMT -1
Oh BB, Plucking inside the piano was what I used to do too! I hated that keyboard with a passion, but I really loved plucking! Cheers, Midori heh heh me too... and radiator grills, metal fences... pretty much anything I could get a range of different pitches from
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Post by Blackbird on Nov 19, 2008 22:47:30 GMT -1
*g* I recently bought an egg slicer again purely for the fun in playing it... but this one isn't very harmonious.
Do you think Morrisons would give my money back if I said their egg slicer wasn't in tune? ;D
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Post by Adam on Nov 20, 2008 9:30:36 GMT -1
you can't beat the old 70's egg slicers <g> (not dating you btw, that just dates me and my childhood egg slicers) ;D
and you gotta try... the look on their faces at customer services would be a picture
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Post by littleraven on Nov 21, 2008 12:10:12 GMT -1
Do you mean 6th century, as I thought that was the earliest?
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Post by littleraven on Nov 21, 2008 12:12:41 GMT -1
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Post by Lee on Nov 21, 2008 13:25:41 GMT -1
Djembes - the reason Wiccans carry athames.
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Post by Blackbird on Nov 21, 2008 13:54:57 GMT -1
Sorry yes, 6th century CE was what I thought I'd put... brain failure that day, obviously...
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Post by Adam on Mar 12, 2009 11:09:21 GMT -1
Saying that, I recently heard two versions of the Gododdin. One was by Robin Williamson, accompanied by the harp. Which was very nice. Then I dug out my version by Test Department, the Gododdin accompanied by dustbins lids, tin sheets and bagpipes. There was no comparison, the Test Dept one blew Rob's version away, emotionally and spiritually. My partner said "what's that racket!? put the harp back on..." lol. I've just found this( www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFxq0D8l2V0), and a film about it ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gjZ-bnXhYw), on Youtube... occurs to me to type it in some 4 months after reading this post. If I had the brains I was born with... ;D
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