Pedal or Lever Harp

Favorites from the 50s arranged by Sylvia Woods

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  • Book
  • $31.99
  • PDF Download
  • $31.99

For lever or pedal harp.

This is a collection of 40 favorite songs from the 1950s. These vintage songs were made popular by artists such as Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Harry Belafonte, Perry Como, Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin, Gene Kelly, Johnny Mathis, Patti Page, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, the Champs, The Everly Brothers, The Fleetwoods, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, the Four Preps, and MORE! Plus, there are songs from The Sound of Music, The King and I, West Side Story, The Music Man, and The Howdy Doody Show.

All of the pieces include fingerings, lyrics, and chord symbols. Lever changes and pedal changes are listed in the music. The difficulty varies, but most of the pieces are for advanced beginner to intermediate players.

Many of the pieces require numerous lever changes within the music. To assist players who are not used to flipping levers, Sylvia has included a list of 15 pieces with no lever changes, and 7 pieces with just a few changes.

To assist players of smaller harps, Sylvia has also included a chart showing the range needed for each piece. If you have a 26-string harp with C as the lowest string, you can play 30 of the 40 pieces with just a few easy modifications. You may have to play them an octave higher than written, but they will fit on your harp.

Seven of the pieces have 2 separate arrangements: one for lever harp players who tune their harps to C, and another for lever harp players who tune their harps to 3 flats. Pedal harpists can play either version.

The keys for harps tuned to C range from C to 2 sharps. The keys for harps tuned to flats range from 1 flat to 2 sharps. In order to play all of the songs, you will need a full set of levers.

122 pages. The printed book is spiral-bound.

We are selling this music in two formats:
  • Book, which we will mail to you
  • PDF files, to be downloaded to your computer.
Please order the version you prefer.

Click on the blue titles below to see a sample of the first few lines of music.

Elvis Presley

Crooners & Teen Idols

Doo-Wop Groups

Other Groups & Duos

Movies, Broadway & Television

Novelty Songs & Miscellaneous

Reviews

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crazy good fun!
By heather flinn
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Just downloaded the PDF and started sight reading...I've played through almost the entire book- I couldn't stop as I was having soooo much fun!!! I have to give it a rest before I get a cramp! Great choices - classics of the period - wonderful arrangements that are perfect as is or could be expanded (chord symbols provided) by more advanced players. Excellent placement of lever changes to give authentic period harmonies. But most of all this is just FUN - great value and entertainment -recommended.


Poodle skirts and white bucks
By Val Brady
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This is such a fun music book. There are easy and more advanced songs to play...each one bringing back sweet memories. The extra notes and suggestions are helpful and well placed. I also like the double versions that can be played as duets. Super music book!!!!!!


Fun On So Many Levels!
By Alice Grove
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Whether you lived through this era or wish you had, this wonderful collection is just plain fun to play. It brought back memories and as I have played through this well-thought-out collection I always find that I am smiling. Sylvia's books always have that special personal touch for harpists of all levels whether lever or pedal. She includes everyone. The "Fun Facts" at the end of the book are charming. I wish I could rate with more than just Five Harps.


Music of the 50s
By Barbara Seabolt
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Love this book. I was pretty young in the 50s, but remember them all! I like to a little silly playing this music. Some challenges, but working on them! I can close my eyes and remember dancing to these songs, awesome.

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