Workshops and Masterclasses
with Josh Layne
Masterclass
Outline: a standard masterclass-style format. Participants sign up ahead of time to perform, with time slots ranging from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the length of piece or pieces and level of the performer. They receive specific advice and suggestions on ways to improve and polish the music, as well as potentially overall tips and advice.
Number of active participants is limited by the available time. Any number of people can attend simply to observe. Typically there is a small fee as an observer, and a larger fee as an active participant.
Length: This can vary depending on demand, but might range from 90 minutes to 4 hours.
Level: Active participants – generally at least intermediate level, but most important is to comfortable enough to be able to give a good performance. Observers – any level.
Harp required? Active participants: yes (unless provided by the organizers).
Troubleshooting with Josh
Outline: Participants may sign up ahead of time to get a 10 minute slot during the workshop to have hands-on instruction and help on anything they wish – from polishing a piece, to working on technique, or a specific passage or pattern. Similar to a masterclass, the benefit of this workshop comes not only from potentially getting some hands-on feedback yourself, but also from observing and hearing the advice and help given to others.
Length: 90 minutes (9 active participants).
Level: Any level.
Harp required? Active participants: yes (unless provided by the organizers).
Playing cleanly! Buzz removal and muffling
Outline: In this workshop we look at how to play cleanly and buzz free on the harp, including a focus on various muffling and dampening techniques.
Length: 90 minutes
Level: Ideally intermediate
Harp required? Yes (can attend without a harp, but we will be doing hands on work).
Technique bootcamp
Outline: This workshop focuses on some of the fundamentals of good technique – scales, chord shapes and progressions, and arpeggios. Plus posture, staying relaxed, and playing without pain. Participants will get a chance for individualized feedback and suggestions.
Length: 60 or 90 minutes
Level: Advanced beginner and above (ideally every is at somewhat the same level, as the workshop will be tailored to the participants level).
Harp required? Yes (can attend without a harp, but we will be doing hands on work).
Lariviere and Bochsa – etudes and exercises
Outline: A look at selections from Lariviere’s Exercises and Bochsa’s 40 Easy Etudes. All selections will be playable on both lever and pedal harps. These exercises and etudes are a great way to build technique and finger control and independence. Participants will get a chance for individualized feedback and suggestions.
Length: 60 minutes
Level: Intermediate and above
Harp required? Yes (can attend without a harp, but we will be doing hands on work).
Learn a piece:
Forgotten Summer | Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C | Bach’s Toccata (from Toccata and Fugue BWV 565). Other options available, for example The Skye Boat Song.
Outline: In a Learn a Piece workshop we’ll go over the piece in question and I’ll give a broad overview and suggestions on how to approach learning it. Then we’ll zero in on some of the most challenging areas and work on them in-depth. I’ll give strategies on how best to practice those spots. Finally, we’ll look at dynamics and phrasing as we look at the piece as a cohesive whole.
While you might not come away from the workshop being able to play it fluently that day, you should end up with a firm grasp of what’s going on in the piece and how to tackle it.
Sheet music is included.
Forgotten Summer will work with a group of both lever and pedal harpists. The two Bach pieces have a number of lever/pedal changes and so work best in a group with just one type of harp.
Length: 60-120 minutes
Level: Forgotten Summer – the piece is at about a grade 3 level
Bach Prelude – the piece is at about a grade 4 level
Bach Toccata – the piece is at about a grade 5 level
Harp required? Yes. 34 string+ harp, though Forgotten Summer is possible on a smaller harp, with some modifications.
Learn a tune: “The Queen’s Marsh” leadsheet workshop
Outline: Working from a leadsheet, in this workshop we’ll learn the beautiful Welsh tune The Queen’s Marsh (Morfa’r Frenhines).
Starting from the chord sequence (accessible to anyone, whether you read music or not), then we’ll learn the melody and experiment with variations and ornaments, and we’ll look at left hand options based of off the chords.
You’ll come away not only with a new tune in your repertoire but also an understanding of how to work from a leadsheet (melody + chords). Sheet music included.
Length: 60-120 minutes
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Harp required? Yes
How to practice
Outline: A lecture/demonstration on how best to practice. From broad concepts to specific tools and techniques this workshop features practical ways you can improve your practice, with plenty of concrete examples and demonstrations.
Length: 60 or 90 minutes
Level: Any level, though probably best/most applicable if you have at least some experience.
Harp required? No
The Harp as an Orchestra: fun with special techniques
Outline: A hands-on look at some of the various special sounds and effects that are possible on the harp. Glissandos, trills and tremolos, strumming, percussive effects, harmonics, and more. This workshop will give you the knowledge to know what to do if you encounter these effects in a piece, as well as inspiring you to incorporate some of them in your own arrangements and compositions.
Length: 60 or 90 minutes
Level: Intermediate or above
Harp required? Yes (can attend without a harp, but we will be doing hands on work).