Marsharp Music | Wire harp downloads

SHEET MUSIC for wire-strung harps arranged or composed by Karen Marshalsay, available as a digital package of pdf score with mp3 audio files.

Some of these arrangements for wire-strung clarsach were first taught by Karen Marshalsay at the Edinburgh workshops run by the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society, others have been arranged for specific harps or are part of her general wire-harp repertoire.

Payment is by PayPal (no paypal account needed) and files will be sent to you via email or a file transfer system. We regret that we can not currently offer instant downloads but hope to reinstate this in the near future.

Postcard to Kenroku-en £7

A new piece for large, four-octave harp, designed to explore the sounds of the different octaves and help the player become accustomed to the varying feel and tone of the strings as they wander round the harp with this tune.
Included: 16 mp3 files: 1 for each individual part; 1 with comments and helpful hints for each part; 2 full recording of all parts (1 as score, 1 with extemporised variations). Pdf with 2 page music score, 1 page glossary & explanation of techniques used, front & back covers illustrated with photos of Kenroku-en. Harp tuned to C, piece in D dorian. Range required from D 2 octaves below middle C to D 2 octaves above. Smaller harps will be able to play the main themes but will not be able to play all the octave variations as written.

Half Ower, Half Ower tae Aberdour £10

A new composition for wire-strung harp. Originally commissioned by the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society, the piece has been presented in various ways: as the four basic tunes which make up the main parts of the piece arranged for elementary players; two intermediate versions for both small and larger harps; and the full versions, once more presented for both small and larger harps. The pdf also includes text and photographs to help convey the inspiration behind the piece(the ballad of Sir Patrick Spens and the town of Aberdour) and its atmosphere and mood. Sound files and recordings to help learn the piece are included. C tuning.

The Road to Kennacraig

A wire-harp composition by Karen, with an A and B part. There are 5 different variations of the A part, suitable for varying levels of ability from elementary to advanced. The B part also has 5 arrangements for elementary to advanced levels and also for larger and smaller harps.
Pdf score plus explanation of all techniques used, mp3 recordings of all parts and comments and hints on playing. This was taught at the 1st September 2013 workshop of the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society. Harp tuned to C, piece in G mixolydian. 6 pages.
AVAILABLE SOON!

Auld Lang Syne £7

An arrangement, with variation, of the original tune to Auld Lang Syne. There are 6 versions for both smaller and larger wire-strung harps: from a simple way of playing tune, through more ccomplicated and decorated versions, and a newly-written variation to the tune. Accompanying notes and information are also in the pdf and the package includes 7 mp3 recordings.
This was originally commissioned the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society in 2012. Key of C. 14 page pdf & 7 mp3 files.

Bridget O'Malley ($10)

An arrangement for small wire-harp of this beautiful traditional Irish song. Lyrics are included, along with mp3 recordings to help learn the piece. Originally taught in the key of D, the pdf has the score in both D and C, with recordings to match, to suit the player's tuning preference. Taught at the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society Edinburgh workshop on 27 October 2013.
COMING SOON!

Dargai £7

A fiddle 'pibroch' composed by the great James Scott Skinner and arranged for wire-strung clarsach. There are various levels: a simple version of the tune - given both for small and larger harps; a slightly more involved simple version for larger harps; two arrangements of the melody and variation for smaller harps - version 1 is easier to play than version 2; and a version of the tune and variation for larger harps. The score also includes a clear typesetting of Skinner's published version, notes on Skinner and on the tune. Audio files (mp3s) of each version are included.
This was taught at the Wire Branch of the Clarsach Society's workshop on 7th October 2012.Key of A. 14 pages & 9 mp3 files.

The Laird o' Drumblair £5

One of the best known of Skinner's strathspeys, this works well in a set after Dargai. Arranged in 3 versions - a simpler version of the tune with some notes and explanations, one for smaller harps and one for larger harps. Audio files (mp3s) are included.
This was taught at the workshop on 4 November 2012. Key of A. 8 pages & 5 mp3 files.

Càite an caidil an rìbhinn a-nochd? £5

A traditional Gaelic song arranged for wire-strung clarsach with introduction, tune only, decorated tune, 2 versions for 19-string harps, 2 versions for larger harps, and 2 simple accompaniment parts. A glossary of all techniques and abbreviations used is given. The sheet music is in pdf form, and there are audio files (mp3) of each part. Taught at the May 2012 workshop. C tuning (key of F but no Bbs used.) 5 pages & 9 mp3 files.

Imir fein a Choinnich chridhe £5

A tune from the Patrick McDonald collection arranged for wire-strung clarsach, in 4 versions: easy, more difficult, coupled hands easy, coupled hands more difficult. The versions are designed to work individually or as a progressive arrangement. Email package includes sheet music (pdf) and audio files of each version played slowly, plus a performance of the full piece. Taught at the February 2012 workshop. C tuning. 4 pages & 5 mp3 files.

The Gesto Set £7

A set of 4 tunes from the Gesto Collection, arranged for wire-strung clarsach (Is leam chruinneag dhonn na'm bo, Mo chruinneag dhonn, Tha mi trom 's duilich leam, Nighean donn an t-sugradh). Email package includes sheet music (pdf) and audio files of each tune played slowly, plus 5 'lesson' recordings. Taught at the October and November 2011 workshops. G tuning needed. 4 pages & 9 mp3 files.

Love Came Down at Christmas £10

A ten version arrangement of this Christmas carol to the traditional tune Gartan, for both smaller and larger harps, and from easy to advanced levels, including two melodic variations composed by Karen. Audio files for the smaller harp versions are included (14 tracks) plus spoken notes to each version (10 tracks). Key of G. 14 pages & 24 mp3 files.