|
As a harp composer, it's always a quiet thrill when a new album finds its way into the world and resonates with listeners. I'm particularly grateful to Textura for their thoughtful review of my third solo album, Night Lotus, released last August. It's wonderful to see the music described in ways that capture what I aimed for – that sense of spaciousness and emotional depth drawn from nature's rhythms. At the end of the review, they note: "Scott's music transports the listener to outdoor locales where nature and its creatures intoxicate the senses and replenish the spirit." And later "The solo harp presentation also allows for an extended and in-depth appreciation of her tremendous artistry." I'm truly honoured by these words, especially from a publication known for its discerning ear in contemporary music. For those who prefer something tangible, I have a limited run of physical CDs featuring beautiful artwork by my daughter, Ruby Scott (@rubycollage on Instagram). Her designs add a personal touch that complements the album's themes perfectly.
You can purchase a copy here: https://www.lauren-scott-harp.co.uk/store/c4/AUDIO.html If streaming is more your style, I'd be so grateful if you could save Night Lotus or add it to your playlists – it's a small gesture that really helps independent artists like me reach more ears. Listen on your favourite platform via https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/laurenscott2/night-lotus Read the full Textura review here: https://www.textura.org/archives/s/scott_nightlotus.htm
1 Comment
After the Storm is now available on all streaming platforms. This 2:40 solo harp piece was written during the intense solar geomagnetic storms of November 2025, when the auroras were visible as far south as northern England. The music is spacious and atmospheric, with bird calls and soaring currents that evoke the calm that follows a storm.I was very pleased when Harp Column invited me to contribute to their Tear-Out Tunes series. The piece is the featured Tear-Out Tune in the January/February 2026 issue, and I wrote a short article about it for the magazine. If you subscribe to Harp Column, you'll find the sheet music in the centre of the issue. The inspiration came from those November storms, but also from a broader sense of turmoil—geophysical, emotional, political, spiritual—and the quiet hope that follows. The piece is built on shifting Mixolydian modes, with rhythmic pulse and a sense of forward motion, reflecting the way storms eventually pass.
Stream After the Storm everywhere: https://music.imusician.pro/a/rHV-CsZa/ Sheet music is available in the Harp Column magazine or as PDF from Harp Column Thank you to everyone who has streamed it already—the response has been wonderful. I hope it brings you a moment of calm too. As a harp teacher with over 30 years of experience, one of the most common questions I hear from students is: “How can I make my harmonics sound more reliable and beautiful?” Harmonics are one of the harp’s most magical sounds – those shimmering, bell-like tones that can add such colour and atmosphere to music. But they can also feel frustrating: the harmonic point is tiny, the timing is precise, and different strings (and different hands!) behave in their own ways. Over the years, I’ve developed a number of approaches to help harpists of all hand shapes and harp types (lever or pedal) produce clear, resonant harmonics consistently. I realised this knowledge would be useful to share more widely, so I’ve created an on-demand video workshop: Improve Your Harmonics. The course is a step-by-step exploration of the technique, designed for intermediate to advanced players who want to feel more confident and expressive with harmonics. We cover everything from finding the harmonic point and perfecting the release, to different hand positions, thumb actions, tone variation, and special techniques – all in short, practical videos you can watch at your own pace. It’s not about chasing one “perfect” sound; it’s about building a palette of colours that work for you and your instrument. Whether you’re preparing for exams, concerts, or simply want to enjoy the harp’s full range, I hope it gives you new tools and inspiration. The workshop is available now on my website:
https://www.lauren-scott-harp.co.uk/store/p92/Improve-your-harmonics.html If you’re curious to learn more about harmonics and how to make them shine in your playing, I’d love for you to take a look. |
Categories
All
AuthorLauren Scott is a harpist & composer and has been blogging on Harpyness for over 10 years. If you enjoy reading Harpyness and you'd like to buy me a virtual coffee that would be very welcome. Cheers!
Archives
January 2026
|