Available from Melody's Music in TX folkharp.com.
All Around the World
a collection of 74 folk songs in lead sheet format
Just as certain foods can be the comforting “taste” of a culture, music can be its comforting “sound”. Adding a sprinkling of music from around the world to your repertoire will offer unexpected moments of delight to those listening. For those who play in a therapeutic music setting, a familiar folk song can bring a sense of nostalgia to a person in pain or discomfort.
The “All Around the World” collection grew from living and working in a large, culturally diverse city and reflects music that I found useful there. Decades of playing steady engagements in Chicago proved over and over that hearing music from one’s homeland offers great comfort to those who have moved to a new culture. Whether the move is to another part of our country, or another part of the world, regional and local music is a big part of what makes our native land feel like home.
This collection was created with lever harpists in mind, but can be useful to a wide variety of other instrumentalists. Lever harp friendly keys have been chosen with lever presets and lever changes indicated in most of the selections.
Because folk music is an oral tradition, it’s very possible that you may know slightly different versions of some of these tunes. Feel free to alter the melodies, harmonies or rhythms to reflect the version with which you most strongly identify. Find recordings of the songs you don’t know and work to understand them as well as possible before you share them with those for whom these are cultural staples.
I hope “All Around the World” inspires you to seek out songs from other cultures. Native music brings joy to ears from afar, wistful for familiar sounds. Even those in their adopted land for decades will be appreciative of your effort to personalize your music to their heritage.
sample download of the folk song from EGYPT, click here
sample download of the folk song from INDONESIA, click here
countries, regions, and groups included
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Canada
Bosnia
Croatia
Denmark
Egypt
England
France
Germany
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Macedonia
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Sweden
Switzerland
Tyrol
Serbia
Scotland
Spain
Ukraine
Yiddish
Wales
United States