Bringing a harp to the beach

[Rachael Rosenbaum]

BS”D

 

Okay, so last year I brought my gut-strung harp to the beach for a day and a half.  I believe it was two strings that snapped, right there in front of me!  It was freaky but thankfully before the performance and I had spare strings!  Since then I have acquired a nylon-strung travel harp, and that is the harp I hope to bring to the beach this year.  Are there any precautions I should take?  My understanding is that gut-strung harps fare most poorly with the sea air…so hopefully the nylon-strung one won’t have an issue?

[Biagio]

Sudden changes in temperature and humidity are not good for any harp – it is the shrinking or swelling of wood that has the major effect on breaking strings.  That said, nylon is more elastic than gut so you may have less of a problem but you will still be tuning frequently.  Obviously the higher the tension the more likely tuning and breakage issues will be, no matter where you are.

If you (that’s a general “you” folks) want a small harp to regularly play in challenging conditions such as the beach, camping, etc. choose a nylon strung with high density ply laminate sound board (or a carbon fiber body if you can afford it).  Go for practical over pretty.

Biagio

[Rachael Rosenbaum]

BS”D

Thanks Biaggio, this was informative!  My harp is a Grand Harpsicle, not high tension, nylon strings… So hopefully it will be ok 🙂

[Biagio]

I’m happy if that was useful Rachael.  I’m curious to know if your Grand Harpsicle has the new Rees levers, and if so how you like them?

Thanks!

Biagio

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