Semi-grand vs Concert grand

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Tagged: pedal harp

This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by balfour-knight.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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November 22, 2023 at 7:48 pm #306930

Grace Wickes
Participant

Hi everyone, I’m in the market for my first pedal harp!

I was wondering what the differences are between a semi-grand and concert-grand. Since the semi-grands are less expensive, I’m more inclined to buy one, but in the long-run, is it worth it? Or should I just go for a concert grand right away? I’m looking at a used Salvi Daphne SE 47. Any advice on weather this is a good harp to start with? I’ll be performing, playing at gigs, weddings, etc.

Any advice is appreciated!

November 23, 2023 at 3:45 pm #306934

ThatOneHarpist
Participant

If you are planning on purchasing a concert-grand later, I would just buy it now. Once you get accustomed to the spacing on a semi-grand, you would have to relearn the spacing of a concert-grand.

I would recommend to anybody that when buying your pedal harp, to buy the one you will be sticking with. Honestly, I wanted a concert-grand, but I settled on a used semi-grand. I love it because it is smaller, and honestly I never really see myself using the extra note on the concert-grand.

There is nothing wrong with buying a used harp. Most people will not notice the difference when playing. Choose one that is a good size for you and you like the sound. Most people will just be mesmerized that there is a harp there at all.

November 25, 2023 at 8:12 am #306946

carl-swanson
Participant

You shouldn’t look at a semi-grand harp as “second best.” They’re great for playing gigs, are easy to move, are more comfortable than a concert grand for a lot of repertoire, especially 19th century repertoire which have technical work right up to the last string on top. As far as getting used to spacing: Get used to it!! Us older harpists have spent a lifetime playing different harps with different spacing. If you have trouble adjusting, then you need to play a variety of harps on a regular basis. You should be able to adjust instantly to whatever harp you are playing.

November 25, 2023 at 11:50 am #307024

Grace Wickes
Participant

Thank you for the advice!! Since the Daphne has 47 strings, I wouldn’t be missing the extra string anyways. I’m going to look at it today and will also be going to a harp exhibition where I will play a few different harps so that should help me narrow it down.

What is the difference in spacing on a semi vs a concert grand?

November 27, 2023 at 12:25 pm #307120

William Y
Participant

> What is the difference in spacing on a semi vs a concert grand?

I could be off-base, but in your specific example (Daphne SE 47), I would guess that the string spacing is the same as with any of the larger Salvi concert grands.

November 28, 2023 at 6:44 pm #307201

balfour-knight
Participant

William, the string spacing on a semi-grand can be a bit closer than on a full-size concert grand. You have to take a ruler and measure the distance between any two C’s, for example, and compare models to each other. Once, while a harp tech was regulating a pedal harp for me, I went around the Atlanta Harp Center trying out harps, and measuring their spacing. It varied more than one would think! There is NO SUCH THING as “standard” string spacing! Be sure to measure the distance of all the C’s from each other, and of course, you could do this on all the D’s as well, since semi-grands often omit the 7th octave C. My very favorite concert grand spacing is on my Camac Atlantide Prestige, which suits my hands and fingers perfectly. In my “old age” I try to not have to play any other pedal harp but this one, ha, ha! In my long career, I had to play many different ones, though.

Have a great day!
Balfour

November 29, 2023 at 10:18 pm #307236
William Y
Participant
I guess what I was saying was that while harp string spacing may vary quite a bit between manufacturers, models, or time periods, that I was guessing (again, could be wrong) that between the specific model the OP mentioned, and other Salvi harps _in the same line_ and from the same time period, the string spacing would not be different just because a given model had a smaller frame.

I’m just going based on the assumption that one of the reasons for L&H / Salvi not making 45 or 46 string harps anymore had to do with wanting to use the same mechanisms and / or spacing, but again, could totally be wrong.
- This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by William Y.
December 1, 2023 at 3:57 pm #307247

balfour-knight
Participant

William, I believe that the string spacing on Salvi semi-grands is indeed closer than on their own fullsize concert grands. The smaller frame has to accommodate 47 strings in less space so the strings are very slightly closer together.

December 10, 2023 at 7:03 pm #307464

Saul Davis Zlatkovski
Participant

What matters is whether or not you’ll ever buy another harp. If you are certain you can later buy a concert grand, then a semi-grand can be useful. However, you will always lack that one string you just might need, and have less sound. People like to have smaller gig harps, but you can also view that as cheating the client by not giving them your best. But better you buy your concert grand first, just in case, and to give it more time to age properly before using it in public. I could have bought a 30 that had uneven sound, but I held out for having a 23 and got what became a magnificent instrument. And I have never been in the position to buy another harp. My wise first teacher, Frances Miller, made all her serious students order 23s. She was not pleased when we started ordering walnut finish 23s, and she was right because most of them were inferior in quality (in the 1970s).
If you can’t afford a gold harp, then a second-hand one, if semi-grand, could be a good buy, if in good condition. The recently built Salvi’s are far superior to any older ones, but I still prefer Lyon & Healy’s with their angelic treble register. Salvi’s are also heavier and harder to move.

December 17, 2023 at 3:28 pm #307704

balfour-knight
Participant

Grace, have you made a decision about the Daphne 47 semi-grand yet? A few years ago, I was delighted to play a really good one at the Atlanta Harp Center. Sometimes the slightly-closer string spacing is an advantage to the player, not a hindrance. It all depends on the body size, finger and arm size, etc. One spacing I never liked was L&H’s extra wide spacing in the bass of some of their largest harps. It was a far reach to the bottom C string on those harps!

Happy harp hunting,
Balfour

December 22, 2023 at 8:44 pm #307940

Charles
Participant

As one of these older harpists Carl mentioned LOL! I comfortably and quickly adjust to various string spacing. The thing I would pay attention to is this- is the harp the correct size for you to spend extended periods seated behind it? Also semi grands will either omit the bottom C or the top G. What’s most important to you?

December 23, 2023 at 8:33 am #307945

balfour-knight
Participant

Ha, ha, Charles–most of us are in this “older harpist” club!

Most regular semi-grands made these days seem to have all 47 strings. The idea of a “complete range” has evidently caught on, like having 88 keys on a piano. The Salvi Daphne 47 semi-grand is a nice size for smaller harpists, myself included. My Camac Atlantide Prestige is only comfortable for me because Camac has purposely lowered the playing end (shoulder). Otherwise, I would need a semi-grand, and I have enjoyed owning and playing several over the years.

Hope all of you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyful New Year!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour
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