harpcolumn

News

Extras

Listings

The Print Edition

Subscribe

harpcolumn

How to Hold a Dusty Strings FH36H
Return to forums

Log in to your Harp Column account to post or reply in the forums. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to email us to set one up.

Home › Forums › How To Play › How to Hold a Dusty Strings FH36H

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • March 17, 2014 at 5:29 pm #60532
    harp-lady
    Member

    I’ve been test-driving a Dusty Strings FH36H and I LOVE the sound, but I find holding the instrument to be very awkward. The boxed soundboard digs into my knees/legs at a funny angle and the part of the neck that juts out sticks into my neck. My fiance tried it out and he has no problem holding it and finds it very comfortable. I’m somewhat petite so I’m wondering – is this harp shape wrong for my body type or is there a special way to hold it so that it’s comfortable. Any thoughts/suggestions?

    March 17, 2014 at 5:56 pm #60533
    barbara-brundage
    Participant

    It sounds like you may be sitting too low and too close to the harp. If the sound box is digging into your knees, something is awry.

    But definitely for many people the 36S is more comfortable than the 36H.

    March 17, 2014 at 6:32 pm #60534
    susan-rutherford
    Participant

    HL – I found this video to be helpful in checking my position at the harp. Of course, the best option would be to have a teacher work with you!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyXNIuD1un8

    March 18, 2014 at 3:52 pm #60535
    harp-lady
    Member

    Thanks for the info! I’m used to a pedal harp so playing a smaller harp is a big – and fun – change! 🙂

    March 18, 2014 at 3:58 pm #60536
    harp-lady
    Member

    I found the 36S to be a lot more comfortable as well but I liked the sound of the 36H better. It’s like a beautiful, clear bell!

    March 18, 2014 at 4:45 pm #60537
    barbara-brundage
    Participant

    Yes, but I’ll tell you what Ray Mooers said to me about that when I said something similar. He said that one reason pedal harpists tend to like the sound of the flat back is that the sound envelope is more around the player, like what we’re used to with the pedal harp, while with the stave back it’s further out in front of the instrument so when you’re playing one it doesn’t seem as full-sounding, and you should listen to someone else playing them to decide on which you prefer.

    April 20, 2014 at 9:03 pm #60538
    harp-lady
    Member

    That makes a lot of sense! Thank you for that tid bit. 🙂

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.