How to Put the Baha’i Writings to Music with Eric Harper

In this video, musician and singer-songwriter Eric Harper explains his process of putting a prayer by Abdu’l-Baha to music. The techniques shared can be used in any medium and cultural background from Hip Hop to Western Ghanian music, Flamenco or Andian music.

Eric explains his approach to putting the Baha’i Writings to music is:

1. to try not to cram too many words into a musical sentence,
2. to try to understand the natural flow, emphasis and cadence of each word,
3. to try to bring out the spirit of the Writing he’s working with. (e.g. he tries to write in the key and tempo that best matched the Writing.

If you’d like to check out more videos by Eric Harper, please visit his YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2yYDsKx

You can also visit his website, http://www.ericharpermusic.com, or follow him on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ericharpermusic

You might also be interested in this Baha’i Blog article by singer/songwriter Shadi Toloui-Wallace: Making “Non-Secular” Music in a “Secular” World

To listen to more musicians putting the Baha’i Writings to music, please check out Baha’i Blog’s Studio Sessions: https://bit.ly/1LtjUx9

Posted by

Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.