The clàrsach/cruit/Scottish/Irish Harp is an iconic symbol of Gaelic music and heritage, stretching back over a thousand years. Traditionally wire-strung, it was played by professional harpers in courts and castles across Ireland and Scotland, often accompanying poets and singers.
Traditionally wire-strung, it was played by professional harpers in courts and castles across Ireland and Scotland, often accompanying poets and singers, and holding a revered place in the musical landscape.
Despite its historical significance, the clársach faced a decline in popularity by the 19th century, overshadowed by newer, more versatile musical instruments. However, the late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a revival of interest in this ancient instrument, fueled by passionate musicians and scholars dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Gaelic musical traditions. This resurgence has been supported by educational initiatives, workshops, and new instrument makers embracing new technologies and creating wire, gut, nylon, and even carbon fiber strung instruments to ensure that harping in all forms is passed down to new generations. Today, the clársach stands as a bridge between the past and present, offering a profound connection to the rich musical heritage of the Gaelic world, and continuing to enchant listeners with its ethereal sound.
Scottish Harp for Beginners
Discover the enchanting world of the Scottish harp with Ingrid Henderson in our course "Scottish Harp for Beginners" at The Folk Music Academy. Ingrid, a Lochaber-based Clàrsach player from the Highlands of Scotland, brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for traditional music to this course. Designed for those new to the harp, this course covers essential techniques to help you produce the best sound from your instrument. You'll learn proper hand positions, the correct way to sit at the harp, and the crucial skill of tuning. Each lesson is structured to ensure you build a solid foundation and enjoy your harp-playing journey.
Our course offers a rich blend of tradition and technique. Ingrid will introduce you to beautiful Gallic song melodies. You'll start with basic right-hand treble melodies and progress to incorporating left-hand chords and more complex arrangements. By the end of the course, you'll have a repertoire of charming pieces, including "The Boat Will Come (Thig Am Bata)," "Lullaby - Dream Angus," and "Maol Donaidh (Song for Attracting Seals)." Each melody is taught in a way that is accessible to beginners while still being deeply rooted in Scottish musical traditions.
Join us in this immersive learning experience, where you'll not only master the fundamentals of harp playing but also gain insight into the rich cultural tapestry of Scottish music. Ingrid's expert instruction, combined with our structured course titles like "Posture and Technique", "Chords and Triads", and "Tuning", ensures that you will build a comprehensive skill set. Whether you're warming up with exercises or diving into the hauntingly beautiful "Brighde's Lullaby", this course is designed to keep you engaged and inspired. Embark on your journey with the Scottish harp today and create beautiful, timeless music.
Ingrid is tuning her harp in Eb major, and she will walk you through all the necessary steps to follow along.This course is perfect for novices and covers essential techniques like hand positions, posture, and tuning. Learn enchanting Gallic melodies, progressing from simple tunes to intricate arrangements.
Scottish Harp Intermediate:
Explore Celtic harp traditions in this course, featuring a diverse repertoire to refine your technique and style.
Explore the rich musical traditions of the Schottis harp in this course. Tailored specifically for musicians who have surpassed the foundational skills, this course delves deeply into intermediate repertoire, featuring thoughtfully selected pieces across various styles. Students will engage with diverse musical forms, including a poignant slow air traditionally attributed to Robert Burns, a historically significant jig rooted in centuries-old traditions, and a vibrant pipe march, each carefully structured to refine distinct harp techniques and enhance stylistic understanding.
In addition to repertoire expansion, the course provides focused instruction on the cultivation of musical tone and expression—an area particularly relevant to intermediate players seeking refinement in sound quality and interpretive nuance. Henderson guides students through advanced harp techniques such as harmonics and imparts fundamental strategies for arranging melodies with complementary harmonies. This approach not only equips learners with practical skills for musical arrangement but also fosters deeper analytical insight into the craft of Celtic harp playing, encouraging ongoing musical development and artistry.
About Ingrid
Ingrid Henderson is a Lochaber-based instrumentalist who has been steeped in traditional music all of her life. With early guidance from music tutors such as Savourna Stevenson, and Angus Grant and strong family influences, Ingrid couldn’t help but fall into a musical career and began performing, touring, and recording at a young age. Winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Award as a soloist in her early teens acted as a launch pad and resulted in worldwide performance opportunities including appearances at the Vancouver Folk Festival and Dranouter, Belgium.
Thereafter Ingrid focused on solo performances, touring, and working closely with her brother Allan (Blazin’ Fiddles) to produce several albums. This developed into more collaborative work and Ingrid’s band commitments have included Gaelic band ‘Cliar’, one-quarter of the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, and various duos with ex-Blazin Fiddles, Iain MacFarlane and world-renowned Gaelic singers, Anne Martin & Margaret Stewart. Ingrid is also involved in different elements of work relating to the Gaelic arts. This includes media work as a performer, composer, presenter, and musical director roles for the BBC Alba series Innsean an Iar (Hebrides), ‘Cuimhneachan’ and the live flag-ship Hogmanay Show, Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire.
Ingrid’s teaching work is also very important to her. Until recently she lectured on the BA Gaelic and Music course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye and she is currently the principal harp tutor at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton. Her musical sensibility means she is much in demand as a session musician and accompanist and her name appears on many traditional recordings as a result. Ingrid’s solo projects include “The Little Beauty”, co-produced with Donald Shaw (Capercaillie), and Message in a Bottle written for a Year of Coast & Waters commission from NatureScot. Both are released on her and partner Iain MacFarlane’s Glenfinnan-based music label, Old Laundry Productions, which houses a fantastic recording space in gorgeous West Highland surroundings.
“As though it were needed, here is proof that Ingrid is a musician of quite outstanding calibre, a virtuoso in terms of sensibility.” P. Urpeth, Living Tradition
Membership plans & pricing:
Free Trial:
1 preview lesson for each course
1 month:
€40 / month, €40 billed every 1 month
Video lessons full access
3 months:
€30 / month, €90 billed every 3 months
Full access to Video lessons
Full access to Music scores (PDF)
Full access to Exclusive online workshops
6 months:
€25 / month, €150 billed every 6 months
Full access to Video lessons
Full access to Music scores (PDF)
Full access to Exclusive online workshops
12 months:
€20 / month, €240 billed every 12 months
Full access to Video lessons
Full access to Music scores (PDF)
Full access to Exclusive online workshops