Gorodisch is Stephen Cracknell, who also leads The Memory Band and is a mem… Read Full Bio ↴Gorodisch is Stephen Cracknell, who also leads The Memory Band and is a member of The Accidental. Prior to releasing records as Gorodisch he performed as a guitarist on a number of tracks released by the now defunct Bristol label Cup Of Tea, including the elusive Grantby, while running a business importing obscure vinyl albums from America.

He then went on to be one of the founder members of Trunk Records who released the 'Super Sounds Of Bosworth' series and 'The Wicker Man' OST. After 'The Wicker Man' release Cracknell left Trunk to concentrate on the making music.

Gorodisch (the name is a bastardisation of a character in the Delacorta novel and later Jean-Jacques Beneix film 'Diva' - who shares Cracknell's love of a good sandwich) is an attempt to distil the wide range of Cracknell's own musical tastes from traditional British song to contemporary folk music such as disco, drum and bass and 2 step, passing through jazz, hip-hop, exotic instrumentation and electronica.

Gorodisch made his debut on the noted 'Osmosis' compilation on The Leaf label and followed this up with 'Cariad' also on Leaf, as part of the 'Invisible Soundtracks' series.

Then came a spell during the summer of 2000 alongside Fridge as part of Badly Drawn Boy's band, before Cracknell returned to the studio to complete the mini-album 'Thurn & Taxis' which was released in July 2001 to much acclaim.

'Thurn & Taxis' is a nod to the author Thomas Pynchon and his novel 'The Crying Of Lot 49' picking up on the themes of monopolies versus underground communication, and the notion of reality being coloured by time and memory.

In 2003 he formed The Memory Band who have produced two albums to date and also the Hungry Hill label, run in conhjunction with Spinney Records. In 2008 his new project The Accidental formed with Sam Genders, Hannah Caughlin and Liam Bailey released its debut album. He has also performed live with Badly Drawn Boy, Adem, Bishi and Hot Chip.

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Harps and Hurdles
Gorodisch Lyrics

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Comments from YouTube:

@suetalley8739

12w

Excellent advice!! We all need to be reminded. Thank you for these good tips, so graciously given! Good job, Sylvia!!

@jeannedarc1566

26w↑6

Thank you, Silvia, for sharing your playing. These tips are useful for many of us and it is very kind of you to share your playing so that we can all learn. All the best for your continued learning!

@silviavioletbalbo

26w↑2

Thank you so much! 🙂

@MrsHoeg

26w↑10

I love these videos!!!!!!! Please keep them up because they are SO encouraging!

@LearningtheHarp

25w

So glad to hear you're enjoying them, Emy!! Thanks for your lovely feedback 🤗 --Carrie ♥

@lincorrie5894

26w↑10

Thank you so much for these tips. New to the harp but advanced in years, my fingers are somewhat "knotted" so I find I need to modify hand and finger shaping sometimes. These snippets really help me practice the best shaping i can achieve. Absolutely love my harp and enjoy every minute spent practising. Plus my fingers are becoming straighter and more mobile the more I play ❤ xx

@LearningtheHarp

25w↑2

That is wonderful to hear! 😃♥

@robinmarwick1982

24w↑2

I've been a classical guitar player and part time teacher for many, many years and have recently started learning to play the harp. May I say what a magnificent gift you have for teaching. In my early years of learning, my teachers seemed to focus on the humiliation and abuse techniques. It would have been nice to have a teacher with your qualities. This is a really helpful video...thanks.

@LearningtheHarp

24w↑1

Hi Robin, I'm so sorry you had such a negative experience with some teachers - I would have found it very hard to thrive in a learning environment like that! But I'm so happy to hear that you've started learning the harp, that's so exciting ♥I've always thought classical guitar and harp sound so beautiful played together! Thanks for your kind words 🤗 --Carrie

@keepitthatway4273

23w↑1

I found that Silvia did it very nicely; beautiful sound and nice fingering movement. But Carrie could still see some tips that helped improve the student’s development. That’s great teaching. ❤

@yammiebreeze4564

25w

Thank you very much! It rekindled my inclination to harp playing❤

@chantal2049

26w↑3

Hi Carrie, thanks so much for the tips and the excercise! Although I 'know' the things you are saying, it's always good to hear and see it again. I must admit that after week two of unlocking sheet music I almost soly think in intervals😅

@TaisiaDanilova

26w↑3

I’ve never heard about squeezing strings before. I’ll try it, thanks!

@LearningtheHarp

25w

It really makes a big difference in the sound! 😃 Have you gotten a chance to try it? --Carrie

@francieraymond

20w

Excellent technique tips! And demonstrated and explained so clearly!! Thumbs up for this channel and subscribed!

@LearningtheHarp

20w

Aww thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed :) Happy to have you join us! --Carrie ♥

@susanscott5118

26w

Thankyou for the helpful hints 😊I've been playing also for a year . Please keep this upbeat positive instruction . It helps !!!😊😊

@jeannieb.

26w↑3

Hi Carrie, this was so helpful! I do the same thing. I have trouble floating off, not only because it requires a certain timing to get back on the strings on time, but also, as hard as I've tried, I just don't look graceful doing it.😂 I've never been a particularly graceful person, and wondering if this is going to be a problem with harp playing.
Great placing tip, by the way! Going to practice that!😊 You give AWESOME encouragement Carrie!

@LearningtheHarp

25w

Hi Jeannie! I get that -- if you're not used to floating off the strings it will likely feel very awkward at first, but think of it as a time to let your hands and fingers completely relax! 😃Start by tracing the shape of half of a heart, and only go as far as you have time to get back on the strings 👍🏼 you got this! --Carrie

@lindafitak

26w↑2

That mitten tip really helps me a lot! I think I have been closing my fingers too much into my hand, because when I need to stretch the fourth finger out to play a much lower not than the ones I’ve even playing, I can’t seem to get there. The strange thing is, when I do the right hand alone, without the left accompaniment, i have no problem. It’s when I have to synchronize the two hands that I run into a problem. I’m referring to the piece “Inisheer”, which has been giving me trouble with that.

@LearningtheHarp

25w↑1

Hey Linda! Glad that mitten analogy helped 🤗 I would suggest practicing with a combination of hands separately, focusing on keep your fingers out and relaxed and then gradually putting hands together! Just to give your hands some individual attention while you get more used to making it a habit😃 --Carrie

@lindafitak

25w

@@LearningtheHarp Great direction, Carrie! Yes, that’s what I’m doing. I’ve started your course “The Parting Glass” now, which I think will give me less trouble, and will probably prepare me for challenges with Inisheer.

@purdy_burdy1055

26w↑1

I have been playing cello for about 7 years now, and it is honestly really surprising just how similar relaxed playing for a harp is compared to a cello, especially the rule that you should keep your fingers moderately extended instead of tucking them in.

I have had an inkling of interest in the harp for a while now, but this channel has given me a special place in my heart for the harp.

Beautiful instrument! Great playing and tips!

@LearningtheHarp

25w

That is fascinating to hear about the similarities to cello! 😃

@susanhabegger3447

21w

Thanks for sharing about lifting off. I see you do it but never heard it talked about.

@LearningtheHarp

20w

Certainly! Have you had a chance to give it a try? 😃 -Carrie

@catholicdoula

26w↑1

Love your tips!

@annecrosbygaudetmusic

26w

Lovely teaching, Carrie 🎶❤️ Your tips were spot on 🌟

@LearningtheHarp

25w

Thank you so much, Anne! 🤗 ♥ --Carrie

@melp-santini9709

26w

Truly appreciated this tips‘ recap. Thank you ❤

@indiahawkins8732

26w

Thank you for uploading this video. I leanred alot even though I didnt quite understand the lesson that you helped the woman from Italy with. I dont have a harp yet so maybe one day when I get one, I can begin to understand

@Amac07

26w↑2

I hope you can get a harp soon! I've been playing about a year and it has been a wonderful journey so far.

@jandunn169

25w

Still working on finding a good beginner harp I can afford but in the meantime, I am learning what I can...

@jenborn5358

26w↑1

This is awesome Carrie! ❤
Also, I LOVE your harp! What is it? 😊

@GloriaGarcia-yv1tk

26w

I think that harp is a 34 string Dusty Strings Ravenna. Great harp & economical

@SharonCullenArt

14w

Because I didn’t begin with lifting off the strings I find it a bit harder. Although my teacher says that they way someone lifts off is often noticed by the style they were trained in and that classically trained harpists tend to have a more dramatic lift. But when I am concentrating it tends to go out the window. It is frustrating.

@TheGaffanon

26w

Some days I hit the strings everyTime then others I feel I’m hunting and pecking to get my hands in place. I’m not sure why.

@makewh1500

25w↑1

I need advice as a beginner in using the harp. Should I buy a 22-string harp or a 32-string harp? Which one of them would be better to last me a year or more? Thank you.

@LearningtheHarp

25w↑1

Definitely go for more strings if you can! But also consider the quality of the harp. If you’re buying the cheapest Pakistani 32 string harp, those often don’t last long because of the quality, so perhaps rather consider a 26 string harp made by a reputable harp company, and that would last you longer. You would still end up wanting a bigger harp, but at least you would have a quality instrument that you could keep using as your portable option when you travel etc. But if you have the budget, a 34 string harp from a reputable harp company would never need to be upgraded, it’s got enough bass strings and would last for decades and even be handed down to your children. So that’s always worth your money!

@makewh1500

25w↑1

@@LearningtheHarp thx 🙏 for helping me too now I really appreciate you. But I have one last question. In our town, there are a few stores that sell musical instruments, but they do not contain the harp instrument. What should I do in this case? Buy online or travel to a town that has what I want, because I adore the harp instrument in all aspects.

@LearningtheHarp

24w

Sorry for the late reply, sometimes it’s hard to see when people have replied! If you can travel to a town that has a shop with some good reputable harp brands, it’s DEFINITELY worth traveling to try it out for yourself! We all have very different taste in harp tones (eg bright versus warm), and it’s good to get advice on what harp would suit you, for example some harps are too large for short people. Also, harp shops sometimes have rent to sell options, which is a great way to get started on a good quality instrument without having to pay everything up front. All the best!