Concert grand vs. Semi-grand.

[alyson-webber]

Hello, all. I am starting to save up to get a pedal harp and graduate from my lever harp. I want to get a harp that will project well enough to play weddings, etc. but I do not anticipate playing with many other instruments. My question is would someone in my position want to invest in a concert grand, or would a semi-grand be sufficient (and fit into more vehicles)? What are some of the pros and cons of each?

On a slight side note, does anyone know if Swanson Harps are going to get into the semi-grand market?

[carl-swanson]

Alyson- We are not going to get into the semi-grand market. There are various reasons for this which I won’t go into here. But to a large degree our concert grand harps are the best of both worlds. Our Scuola model is a concert grand that weighs about the same as a semi-grand. In fact it’s lighter than some semi-grands. The Empire model is only slightly heavier, and significantly lighter than many other concert grands. So you might look into both those models. I currently have a used Scuola and a used semi-gilded Empire for sale. If you email me I can send you photos. Within the next two weeks or so I should have pictures of both instruments up on my web site, http://www.swansonharp.com

[kreig-kitts]

Carl’s harps are about the height of many semi grands, 72 inches. I might add he also has a lot of beautiful used petite harps for sale, many of which would probably fit your needs well too. I use ZipCar and have driven a variety of vehicles with my harp, and my 74″ concert grand is a very close fit in many (combined with my own 72″ height). Those extra two inches of a 72″ harp would make many vehicles a much better fit, and something like a Style 12, an 85P, a Camac Clio, or a Venus Seraphim would be a relative breeze.

One advantage of a semi grand over a petite harp is that if you later develop a desire to play more classical harp repertoire, the extra strings would be useful. Most semis have 46, which will do the job for most repertoire written (you can retune the low D to a C if you really need it). The extra string of a concert grand isn’t a major consideration for most amateur playing. In addition, many semis have the same soundbox and soundboard dimensions but are just a little shorter. Some are intentionally a bit narrower to make them a little easier to move around and fit into spaces, as well as lighter. Personally, if my budget were unlimited, I’d own a petite harp of 42-44 strings for church and chamber music, plus most rehearsals if the range allows, and save the concert grand for wind ensemble concerts. I’d also own my own vehicle and a parking space, but that’s another story.

[Tacye]

Have you considered amplification?

On average the modern concert grands tend to be louder than the equivalent semigrand, but you will find harps that defy the average – semigrands with amazing projection and concert grands that won’t. My impression is that you also find more great semigrands among older harps – probably because of the finances of harp manufacture.

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