Do rings get in the way?

[Christian Frederick]

Soo……. it is my understanding that Lucile Lawrence advocated that nail polish impedes the sound quality of the harp / harpist. Am I correct?

[andy-b]

Now I’m sad; I’ve never gotten hit on while performing!

Andy

[laura-smithburg-byrne]

I don’t know what Lucille Lawrence had to say about nail polish and rings, but I remember Alice Chalifoux had a conservative view about that. I remember her commenting that the harpists’ hands should not distract from the beauty of the music and the performance. She felt the hand was most beautiful “au natural” and rings were always removed during lessons. She always encouraged us to dress well on a budget, yet always try to be fashionable and elegant.

She reminded us that we were performing on the most beautiful instrument in the orchestra and that we should try to be equally elegant performers. She didn’t care for nail polish and I don’t remember any of my peers ever wearing any.

As for getting “hit on”, I think that always happens to young single female harpists, although a ring can keep some of the nastier wolves away. Sorry Christian, I don’t know how it is for male harpists, but being really friendly always helps, especially when you need to make some good tips! I remember Miss Chalifoux encouraging us to “flirt with everyone” and to be fun and easy-going. She hated “prissy princesses” and “holier than thou” types, but loved someone who was fun and knew a few really good jokes. ; )

I hope you pick a ring that is REALLY BEAUTIFUL and not worry about whether you can play with it or not, you can always slip it back on during your break.

Good luck and best wishes!

[laura-smithburg-byrne]

OOOPS, Sorry Christian I meant Andy!

[unknown-user]

My fiance and I actually chose my wedding band specifically so I would be able to wear it while playing harp (must get my prerogatives straight, after all).

[unknown-user]

Andy, you need to wear a fancy gown with a high slit up the left leg.

[andy-b]

Hmmm, now that’s an idea, Miriam…and it would also allow me to corner the market in a performance venue traditionally overlooked by harpists…LOL!

Andy

[Mel Sandberg]

Andy, this reply is not specifically just for you, but along the lines of everybody’s comments, I can happily admit that my rings get in the way too – everything’s been said….. I’ve experieced them all too.

[ioldanach]

Man’s point of view: I have tried many, many times to play with my rings on. Can’t do it. My wedding ring is a heavy chunk of Celtic interlace gold and that finger got injured when I was a kid…can’t do it.
So I compromised. I had the Celtic interlace pattern of my wedding ring done as a gold bracelet around my left wrist. My wife says if I ever divorce her she gets it back.

[Author]

Posts