Don’t you hate it when that happens?

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This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 10 months ago by Sid Humphreys.

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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November 5, 2008 at 6:48 pm #162051

Sid Humphreys
Member

Last night as I was practicing an orchestral arrangement of Simple Gifts (which isn’t so simple but that’s another thread), I noticed that something was out of tune. Quickly my feet felt across all the pedals and only F was sharp which is correct. I kept playing but there was that horrible out of tune sound again that was coming from more than one string. Suddenly I realized that my F pedal rod was broken! Eek! What to do at 9PM with no other fellow harpist nearby of even a harp tech? Thank goodness my 2nd harp teacher (Juliette Buchanin) insisted that I buy Carl Swanson’s Guide for Harpists! After consulting the book,

November 5, 2008 at 9:36 pm #162052

andy-b
Participant

Thank goodness it was an easy fix, Sid! I had a foot snap off a Salvi McFall lever harp during a wedding once, and had to prop the harp up on one side. If only it had happened at home!

In your photo, it looks like your harp is ebony and bronze? Very beautiful!

Andy

November 5, 2008 at 9:41 pm #162053

Sid Humphreys
Member

Thanks Andy, yes, ebony and bronze. How funny, I was just looking at your pic thinking how nice your ebony harp is! I do hope that something like this doesn’t happen in the performance, you know, what are the odds?

Sid

November 10, 2008 at 12:09 am #162054

Saul Davis Zlatkovski
Participant

Yes, harps are not made to be trundled for distances. One or two blocks is a maximum to have in mind. A foot can come off from sliding it across smooth terrazzo floors. Think of harps as crystal goblets and you should be safe.

November 10, 2008 at 11:20 pm #162055

Sid Humphreys
Member

I’d never slide a harp on a hard surface Saul, maybe a short scoot ( a few inches) on the carpet but will always pick it up or use a cart on a hard floor.

November 11, 2008 at 1:04 am #162056

don-hilsberg
Participant

Sid,

I share your experience, however I wasn’t as lucky as you were with a loose screw.

November 11, 2008 at 1:25 am #162057

Sid Humphreys
Member

I found this a good warning when it happened, Don. I now have a full set of pedal rods as well as a full set of pedal springs on hand!

November 24, 2008 at 11:38 pm #162058

Ida Slapta
Participant

You should also order a set of the “new” style pedal couplings for your current rods.

November 25, 2008 at 10:03 pm #162059

Mel Sandberg
Participant

Sid, I also had a broken pedal rod, an E in the middle of a performance of Carmen, just before the Entr’acte.

November 26, 2008 at 5:04 am #162060

Sid Humphreys
Member

Ida, yes my new rods do have the new couplings.

Mel, is that common to go through so many pedal rods?

I noticed after repairing my harp that the buzz

November 27, 2008 at 4:35 am #162061

Sid Humphreys
Member

#%!* Don’t you hate it when that happens?
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