Report on the Harping Tradition in Ireland

3.9 Composition and Arrangement
Composition and arrangement is a significant and historic part of Irish harp practice.
The early Irish harpers would often have been requested to compose pieces in honour
of a patron.
Composition and arrangement, albeit for different purposes, remains a significant part
of harp practice today (Charts 27 and 28).
Composition and Arrangement
43.2%
22.8%
27.8%
6.2%
Compose
(21)
Arrange
(77)
Both
(94)
Neither
(146)
Chart 27: (Sample: 338)
Number of Compositions for Harp
50.2%
38.8%
8.0%
2.8%
0.3%
1 – 10
(126)
11 – 50
(26)
51 – 100
(9)
101+
(1)
0
(163)
Chart 28: (Sample: 325)
Harpers play both melody and accompaniment in traditional Irish dance music and
airs, and the music of early Irish harpers, and therefore in essence have to arrange
everything they play. Publishing one’s arrangements of harp music, however, is also a
notable aspect of harp practice. Chart 29 details the number of arrangements harpers
have undertaken, both published and unpublished.
48