Advice on mid size lever harp – Update

[frank-pianki]

Hi folks, I have ongoing shoulder problems that often make it painful to play my 38 string Salvi McFall. I’m considering renting a mid size harp to use for practice and taking to lessons. One option is the L&H Ogden. Any thoughts on the Ogden or other harps? Has anyone else tried a smaller harp for shoulder problems? If so, did it help? Thanks Frank

[Tacye]

For my shoulders (which are obviously different to yours) a smaller harp makes no difference. Better posture and technique made a huge difference!

Are you actually taking any of the harp’s weight on your shoulder? Have you considered taking the harp to a physiotherapist/pilates/alexander technique person to work on seating height, posture, muscle use and all that sort of thing?

[jessica-wolff]

I was really impressed by the 35-string R-Harps Merlin.

[Gretchen Cover]

I concur with Tacye. If the problem is your left shoulder, you most likely need to sit higher. If the problem is right shoulder, you need to change your position to get the weight off the shoulder. You also may be playing too long and need to take more frequent breaks. You need to figure out what is causing the shoulder problem before you think about changing harps. I would consider having someone who teaches harp evaluate you. That person might be able to see immediately what is causing your shoulder problem. I would also consider seeing a phsyical medicine doctor (physiatrist) or physical therapist as Tacye suggested for an evaluation and stretching/strenghtening exercises to prevent future problems.

[frank-pianki]

My problem is a torn rotator cuff (right) and it will be a while before I can schedule surgery due to my faculty obligations. This will also be my fifth RC surgery, so it is an ongoing problem (3 left, 2 right). It is painful to raise my arms too high or reach too far

[Gretchen Cover]

I’m sorry you are having such shoulder issues. It would have helped to say so in your first post to keep the topic on a suitable harp rather than discussing medical issues. I hope others will step in to give you harp suggestions. Perhaps you can contact members of AHS in the area where you live to try their harps. Considering your shoulder problems, finding a harp that works for you will be based on you testing different harps.

[Tacye]

You have my sympathies – and I even more feel professional help with harp posture as it relates to your shoulders will be worthwhile. Are there any ranges of your harp you can play without pain if you confine yourself to them? If it is a matter of needing a set up where middle C is in a certain relationship to your body then playing with different stools (and foot rests) and harps may help. However, if there is no part of your current harp you can practice on comfortably then I don’t imagine a different harp would help much – unless lighter tension helps you to relax as you play.

[frank-pianki]

I apologize for being unclear…actually my intent was to keep the discussion to harps rather than my injury and obviously that didn’t work! 🙂 I have a 38 string Salvi McFall and my teacher has told me to refrain from playing it to prevent further damage. The combination of higher tension strings, keeping my hands elevated and the longer reach makes it impossible for me to play it. However, I have been able to play a smaller lap harp, set it on a bench, fairly comfortably. I can keep my hands lower, there is lighter string tension, and the reach is doable. So I’m thinking about finding a 26 sting floor harp that would provide enough strings to proactice in a safe and comfortable manner. My son and his fiancee have asked me to play at their wedding next August and I’d hate to miss that experience.. Thanks Frank

[Allison Stevick]

If you are open to the idea of a carbon fiber harp, I highly recommend Heartland Harps. I have a Delight (38 strings) and I really love it. It doesn’t put any weight on the shoulder, and it’s only about 10lbs. It sounds great–though not quite the same as a wooden harp. The sound difference between wood and carbon fiber has been described as similar to that between an acoustic guitar and an electric. Their Infinity and Legend models are a little smaller, and both have 36 strings. The infinity is about the same size as most mid-size lap harps and I think it weighs around 8lb. Here is a link to the Infinity if you wanted to check it out. http://heartlandharps.com/model-infinity.html

[lisa-matthews]

I ruined my hands with my much loved Salvi Heather in my teens. 18 years after giving up my life’s ambition to be a music therapist I’m taking baby steps back into the harp world and relearning how to play for enjoyment. Since my teens I have torn my shoulder laterally down to the waist at least twice and have inflamed the rotator cuffs as well (and 6 concussions, fractured hip, torn groin, numerous sprains, tendonitis and carpel tunnel, aka I know pain:>). Recently I had the opportunity to play a number of harps at the Southeast Harp Weekend. There was a 26 string Lewis Creek therapy harp that literally brought tears of joy to my eyes. I sat and cried—my dh was quite worried when he found me crying at that poor man’s booth. It’s literally the first harp I’ve touched in 20 years that I felt absolutely no pain to hold and play. It was the lightest of his harps yet had a good, projecting voice. The maker has a larger harp that can have that type of string tension as well. If you find the harps to your taste it might be an option you could work with. I was testing 26 and 34 string harps that day.

[frank-pianki]

Hi Lisa, Thanks for the information on the Lewis Creek Harp…I’m going to check it out. Sould like we have had similar experiences…besides my previous 4 rotator cuff surgeries I had a full hip replacement last year. I need to seriously evaluate whether the Salvi is the right harp for me given these problems! Frank

[frank-pianki]

Hi folks, an update on my recent shoulder surgery and related harp situation. The surgeon was not able to reattach my bicep tendon (it was the second time it has been torn loose). I also had two rotator cuff tears that were repaired but the shoulder is now deemed “unrepairable” if there is further damage. As as result, I have decided to sell my 38 string Salvi McFall and purchase the 34 string L&H Ogden. The Ogden is 10#s lighter and 10 inches shorter, making it much easier to to transport.
If anyone is interested in the Salvi McFall, I have posted a classified ad with photo.
Here is a summary of the classified ad:
I am selling the McFall harp with a full set of replacement strings, custom transport case, dust cover, and harp cart all for $3500 (buyer responsible for shipping). I live in Anderson, Indiana and my contact info is:
fopianki@anderson.edu (765) 621-4372

thanks Frank

[lisa-matthews]

Hi Frank, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out. Lisa

[andy-b]

Hi, Frank:
Having played a McFall (it was my first really good harp, and I had it for several years), and now an Ogden as my lever harp, I hope you don’t mind hearing my opinion…The Odgen is smaller, but it is still quite heavy for a harp of that size. I find it difficult to carry in the case for any distance. I’d rather move it on a dolly for all it’s smaller size. Also, the string tension is very similar as the McFall – they both use concert strings – so that would not be a great improvement. Have you considered the Thormahlen harps? I had a Serenade model for awhile, and the tension was noticably less, and the weight close to 1/3 less than the Ogden. It still had considerable volume and a great tone. Just my experience, for what it’s worth.

Cheers,
Andy

[sherry-lenox]

I second the suggestion about the Serenade. Mine sounds wonderful, and it’s fairly easy to transport, about 22 pounds I think.

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