All giddy about harmonics!

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This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 2 months ago by unknown-user.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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February 27, 2008 at 9:44 pm #163294

sherry-lenox
Participant

Having at last found something I am actually capable of doing on the harp, I’ve naturally spent all my practice time today flipping out harmonics on all of the 36 strings of my harp, and I notice that I’ve heard what sounds like a 12th on one of the lower metal strings. Is that so?

I haven’t heard of any reference to any harmonics used for harp except octaves, and basking in my new found skill, I wondered if that’s the case or if there have been things written that exploit the rest of the interesting harmonics I’m finding.

February 27, 2008 at 10:45 pm #163295

barbara-brundage
Participant

Hi, Sheery. Yes, you can play harmonics at the 12th, but they don’t carry so well. Salzedo’s Poem of the LIttle Stars is all about harmonics at the the 12th. It’s in Sam Pratt’s ‘Wedding Cake’ collection.

February 27, 2008 at 10:45 pm #163296

barbara-brundage
Participant

Sorry for the typo, Sherry.

February 28, 2008 at 12:41 am #163297

sherry-lenox
Participant

Fascinating! After playing lots of harmonics on my Serenade I just tried them on my Rees Aberdeen, and they’re popping out fine there too. So I guess I’m not a one joke wonder. Now if I could only do anything else harpistic!

February 28, 2008 at 3:49 pm #163298

diane-michaels
Spectator

There are many harmonics available on each string, although bringing them out is another question.

February 28, 2008 at 6:52 pm #163299

bernhard-schmidt
Participant

For my interest… is there also with the harp players a difference whether the Harmonic are played over or under the octave point?
It is all the same on which side of the octave point the harmonics to be played.
From my occupation with more traditionally Chinese music I know that another tone quality develops in music. Harmonics on the side of the Sound table are to be supposed to have a male tone quality..Harmonics on the side of the neck are a female tone quality.
This is for me also audible on the harp.
How about the harpists ?

Curiously……
Regards

February 29, 2008 at 1:45 am #163300

unknown-user
Participant

I have tried the 12th harmonic closer to the sounding board, but find it less resonant, because the resonating length ends at the neck, not the board. I wouldn’t call it more male! I thought of you today, because I had changed all my g strings, so the tuning became quite interesting and gave the harp a new coloring.

Harmonics are among my favorite things on the harp, though I find it hard to play an entire piece made of harmonics alone. I have used the 12th harmonic in a few of my pieces.
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