The Three Ravens, and Other Ballads, Arranged for Lap Harp [Paperback]

Suzanne Guldimann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1999

A collection of 34 English and Scottish ballads arranged for harp. The ballads date from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries, and range from the well known to the rare and unusual. They can be played on a lap harp with a range of just two and a half octaves, or on larger harps. They can also be played on flute, violin, guitar, or any melody instrument. The book includes lyrics, historical notes, and illustrations. The pieces are in the key of C, or in sharp keys. All of the pieces include fingerings and chord symbols.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Suzanne Guldimann has played traditional Irish harp for many years, and has always been fascinated by early music. A successful illustrator, her work has appeared in everything from books to theatrical design. She is also the author of "Green Grows the Holly," a book of medieval and Renaissance Christmas carols, arranged for harp.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: West of the Moon Books (September 15, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 0966766415
• ISBN-13: 978-0966766417
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Suzanne Guldimann has played the Celtic harp for many years, and has always been fascinated by early and traditional music. She is the author of eight books of music for the small harp, ranging from medieval and Renaissance songs to English country dances, sea chanteys, folk songs, ballads and traditional Christmas carols. She is currently working on book nine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Harper's Delight, January 5, 2008

By 

Rebecca J. Carlson "The Highly Unlikely" (Mojave Desert) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Three Ravens, and Other Ballads, Arranged for Lap Harp (Paperback)

"The Three Ravens" is a collection of over thirty beautiful and ancient ballads, arranged in Guldimann's graceful style. The author includes lyrics and interesting historical notes, making this a perfect anthology for anyone interested in folk music, whether they play the harp or not. The arrangements are simple enough to be mastered by harp students who have had about a year of experience, can be sight-read by intermediate players, and include chord markings so that advanced players can fill out the accompaniment if they wish. The range is from bass C to G above treble C, a perfect fit for the standard 22 string lap harp.

I've spent many enjoyable hours with this book. Besides expanding my harp repertoire, I've learned a few more ballads to sing to myself while doing my housework. I highly recommend this book. My only complaint is that the stapled binding comes apart rather easily. I would suggest that once you get this book, go and get it cut and spiral bound, which is an inexpensive procedure at Kinkos or any office store with a printing center.