Harp Guitar Songs Every Player Should Learn
The harp guitar repertoire has grown over the past decade as more players discover the instrument and adapt music to its extended range. Some songs come from the modern fingerstyle tradition. Others are traditional folk pieces that benefit from sub-bass accompaniment. The best harp guitar songs use the sub-bass strings to add depth without overpowering the melody on the main neck. This guide covers songs every player should add to their repertoire, organized by difficulty and style.
Why Songs Matter for Harp Guitar Players
Learning songs teaches you what your instrument can do. The first time you play a piece that uses the sub-bass strings as a counter-melody, you understand what makes the harp guitar special. The first time you accompany a vocal with sustained bass notes, you understand how the instrument supports voice differently from a regular acoustic.
Building a small but solid repertoire matters more than knowing many songs poorly. Pick a handful of pieces, work through them carefully, and let each one teach you something about playing technique, sub-bass tuning, and arrangement.
Beginner-Friendly Songs to Start With
Start with songs that have simple chord changes and let you focus on coordinating the main neck with the sub-bass strings.
"Greensleeves" works beautifully on harp guitar. The traditional English melody sits naturally on the main neck while the sub-bass strings can play the descending bass line. The slow tempo gives you time to think about each sub-bass note.
"Scarborough Fair" uses a drone bass that suits the harp guitar well. The sub-bass D string ringing throughout matches the modal feel of the song. The melody on the main neck is uncomplicated, which leaves attention free for the bass coordination.
"House of the Rising Sun" has a clear bass line that translates directly to the sub-bass strings. The arpeggiated chords on the main neck pair with bass notes that match each chord change. This song teaches you how to time sub-bass strikes against melodic patterns.
"Amazing Grace" gives you space to experiment with sub-bass timing. The melody is simple enough to memorize quickly, leaving your mental energy for working out the bass support.
A 12-string parlor harp guitar handles these beginner pieces beautifully. The compact body keeps you focused on the music rather than fighting the instrument.
Intermediate Songs That Showcase the Instrument
Once you can coordinate sub-bass with the main neck consistently, move to songs that use both string groups more actively.
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen translates well to harp guitar. The bass movement under the chord progression gives the sub-bass strings a clear purpose. Players can also accompany themselves singing this piece, which takes advantage of how the instrument supports vocals.
Celtic instrumental pieces from the harp guitar tradition often work at this level. John Doan and Stephen Bennett have arranged dozens of traditional Celtic and English tunes for harp guitar. Pick one or two of their arrangements as a starting point.
Original compositions from the modern fingerstyle world adapt well to harp guitar. A 12-string auditorium silkwood harp guitar handles intermediate fingerstyle arrangements with the sustain and clarity needed for these pieces.
Advanced Pieces from the Harp Guitar Tradition
The advanced repertoire pushes both your technique and your understanding of what the instrument can do.
"Ebon Coast" by Andy McKee is one of the most recognized modern harp guitar pieces. The composition uses extended techniques, complicated bass patterns, and the full range of the instrument. Players who can perform this piece well have mastered the harp guitar.
"Because It's There" and "Aerial Boundaries" by Michael Hedges are essential listening even before you attempt them. Hedges helped define modern fingerstyle and harp guitar playing. His compositions reward serious study.
Stephen Bennett's original works push the harp guitar into its quieter, more lyrical territory. His arrangements show how the instrument handles slow, expressive playing as well as fast, technical pieces.
A premium harp guitar with high-quality electronics handles advanced repertoire well, especially if you plan to perform these pieces live.
Cover Songs That Work Beautifully on Harp Guitar
Popular songs translate to harp guitar with the right arrangement choices.
"Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton arranges naturally for the instrument. The fingerpicked main melody works on the main neck, and the sub-bass strings can add depth to the chord changes.
"Sailing" by Christopher Cross has a flowing, open feel that suits sustained sub-bass support. The original was written on standard acoustic but gains something when arranged for harp guitar.
"Michelle" by The Beatles fits the harp guitar's tonal character. The melodic line works on the main neck, and the bass walks in the original translate to sub-bass strings cleanly. The expanded range of a 20-string harp guitar opens up additional arrangement possibilities for songs like this.
"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi may seem like an unusual choice, but the song's bass-driven feel actually works on harp guitar. The arrangement requires creative thinking but rewards the effort.
Building Your Own Harp Guitar Repertoire
Beyond learning specific songs, develop the habit of adapting any piece you like to the harp guitar. Listen for the bass line first. Decide which notes can move from the main neck to the sub-bass strings. Try the song with and without sub-bass support to see which approach serves the music better.
The essential playing techniques every harp guitarist should master guide covers technique fundamentals that apply to any song you learn.
Recording yourself helps. The harp guitar has so many strings that you can lose track of timing or accuracy without external feedback. A simple phone recording often reveals issues that you cannot hear while playing.
Final Thoughts
The harp guitar songs you learn shape how you understand the instrument. Start with traditional pieces that use sub-bass strings simply. Move to intermediate covers and folk arrangements. Tackle advanced compositions when your technique can support them. Build your own arrangements as your skills develop.
The repertoire grows every year as more players take up the instrument. Pick songs you love, learn them thoroughly, and let the music teach you what the harp guitar can do.