Dorian Improvisation on the Harp by Ray Pool

This is a 14 minute play-along demonstration of how to improvise on the harp in the Dorian mode. The single chord of D minor (in the key of C Major) serves as the focus for seven different patterns of notes that can be utilized in countless ways.

It is a "constructed" improvisation with musical building blocks at its foundation. It is especially useful for people in the field of Harp Therapy. It can be used as a filler between verses of a tune or it can be a free standing improvisation when it is desirable to avoid any recognizable melody.

While playing in hospitals, I frequently relied upon this technique to create a calming atmosphere in situations that were emotionally charged. I spent many hours playing in an Emergency Room. I also played in the rooms of numerous patients who were making their final transitions. Dorian Improvisation was a major portion of my offering.

Pull up a harp and play along!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dorian improvisation
• harp therapy
• lever harp
• pedal harp
• Ray Pool
• hospital harping
• hospice harping

[harpersfaerie]

She went into a guitar store to buy a metronome, and sat down to a piano and improvised in the Dorian mode, a la Ray Pool. An accomplished musician walked over to her, and said "Oh, what is that you are playing?" Jill replied smartly, "It's a Dorian Improvisation". (When a child, she had a diagram of a piano keyboard and learned where middle C was, so she translated your video to the piano! Very exciting.

[rharp111]

@harpersfaerie Thanks so much for your message concerning your student's success with "Dorian Improvisation." I'm delighted to hear your story and appreciate your posting! --Ray Pool.

[kmroddy]

Ray-- One more comment. I suspect that one can transpose your Dorian exercise to all of the modes, e.g, Aeolian - the pitches of the Aeolian would be A-D-F-D then? Thanks!

[rharp111]

@kmroddy: The "Dorian Improvisation" can be done in any major key. It is based on the second step of the Major scale. If you are in G major, do it on an A minor chord. If you are in D Major, do it on an E minor chord. If you are in E flat Major, do it on an F minor chord. The process is identical. Chord tones, neighboring notes, passing tones, chord tones up and down. Thanks for asking. Let me know how it goes!

[rharp111]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. I'm glad this clip has filled in a few pieces of missing info. I appreciate hearing from all of you. More later...!

[harpersfaerie]

I have a beginning harp student who does not know how to read music. Several weeks ago I had her watch this video, and she was immediately able to play in the dorian mode and improvise. (continued in next comment).

[jaejames]

hmm wow i don't know that harp have chords O.o

[muktismom]

Hi Ray - I just discovered this vid. Thanks so much for creating and posting! It's really great and very easy to use as a study tool.

Would you consider creating and posting additional vids in other modes. i would love it! and appreciate it. Thanks again!

[legato699]

Thanks for posting this. I'll try it tonight ;-) Amazingly soothing