(Short audio included at the end of the post.)
During my recent blogging break, I have been learning to play the folk harp.
This is a Fireside Harp from Backyard Music, made of cardboard.
The shape of the harp reminds me of the wings of a butterfly that visits my garden.
A rain storm came up just after these photos were taken, but I’ve included a short audio with a rainy backdrop, which can be played along with these photos.
Eleanor Plunkett, by Turlough O’Carolan, arranged by harpist and composer Anne Crosby Gaudet, performed by Julie Mankowsky.
Welcome back, Julie. Your garden looks lovely and your new harp is beautiful. I imagine you sitting on that bench surrounded by fragrant blossoms, flittering butterfly wings, and singing birds. Sounds like paradise to me. 😊
Warm greetings,
Tanja
Thanks for those kind words, Tanja. The Swallowtail butterflies are here. Now I’m waiting on the Monarchs….;-)
You built it, and now we hope they come…
Great seeing you today! Beautiful photos and music.
Oh my gosh! It was the highlight of my day!
Cheers,
Julie
Wonderful harp and music!
Thank you! I’m trying to keep my brain cells growing in retirement! 😉
Sounds lovely!
The harp is such a good match for “enjoying nature”. Hope you are enjoying your summer!
Gardening to my heart’s content! 😉
👏🙂 Well done!
Thank you!
This is lovely, so serene. Well done!
Thank you for those kind words. It is my happy place. 😉
It sounds beautiful!
Thanks for visiting!
I love the harp! Amazing what they come up with!
The man who makes these harps also makes banjos out of cigar boxes, and other neat and cost effective instruments. Quite cool! Thanks for visiting!
I love it. That is what I like to do as well!
Dear Julie, this was so sweet and serene…truly moving. I enjoyed your narrative and photos, and the sight of this lovely harp in your serene garden. It really does look like a butterfly. Hard to believe it’s made with cardboard and delivers such a sweet sound. Your performance was magical. Thank you so much.
Aww…so nice of you to say that, Jet! I’m filing the harp under “the things we learned in covid”. I bought recorded lessons on particular songs online and downloaded them, and have learned to play totally via the internet. Every once in a while, I attend virtual “harp meet ups” as well. Harpers are a friendly and quirky group; sort of like birders but with harps instead of cameras… 😉
I’m amazed it’s made of cardboard. Good for you learning this instrument!
It has a really nice sound-almost bell-like. Learning folk harp has always been on my bucket list, so this was an affordable way to go. Thanks for visiting!
Wonderful, I enjoyed the recording.
That’s so interesting, I’ve never actually heard of a harp made of cardboard before but it’s so creative! And your butterfly-wing harp sounds great, all the more with the rain in the background. 🙂 I love Eleanor Plunkett! It’s really great that you’ve been learning the harp. Wishing you best of luck with it!
Thank you! I’m coming along, I think.