Gestures, Salzedo style

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

Amen, Laura. I guess negative

[carl-swanson]

I just want to mention here that I had been near sighted all my life. Ten years ago I had the lasar surgery to correct that problem. In my case the results were spectacular. I still need glasses for distances under 5 feet or so, but I have normal distance vision. I would recommend to anyone who is a good candidate for the lasar surgery to get it.

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

Perhaps the neck-craning is more a bad habit than a result of not being able to see the strings. (On the other hand, it could be time for a new prescription.) I think David was trying to point out that it looks very uncomfortable and is certainly hard on the neck muscles, therefore it is difficult to watch, out of sympathy rather than contempt. I have experienced “sympathy pain” while watching not only harpists, but other musicians, when they are playing in a contorted and obviously unhealthy posture.

[Evangeline Williams]

You can get bifocal contacts these days, right? Or just slip on a pair of reading glasses with the contacts.

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

Yes, you can get bifocal contacts, but they are not ideal, and the strings are still hard to focus on. Proper lighting is definitely important!

June

[David Ice]

Laura,

What I was referring to was sheer vanity on the part of the harpist–“I’ll be damned if I wear bifocals” and the result was a grotesque performance where all you could focus on was her neck.

In terms of “walking wounded”,

[laura-smithburg-byrne]

I agree with your remarks Elizabeth and I understand the response to what appears to be un-natural posture or time for a new presciption. We are keenly aware of dangerous injuries that can occur if bad habits are not corrected. We are lucky to be so well trained that we know when we see something that doesn’t look right in performance and we think we know the reasons why. However things are not always as they appear and sometimes there are issues of which you are not aware. Most professional performers I work with are accustomed to being in the public eye and used to constructive criticism.

[laura-smithburg-byrne]

Oh David, I had no idea from your earlier post that you were making comments regarding someone’s vanity, I thought she was visually impaired. I did not mean to be insensitive to you. I am so sorry to hear about your pain and suffering! I had no idea you had overcome such tremendous difficulties. Please accept my humble apology to you – I had no idea. You get the medal of valor in my book! xoxoxo

[David Ice]

Apology accepted, Laura.

[carl-swanson]

Stop after 29 1/2 minutes!(Wink)

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

David, check out this website please. If you are having problems with blurring, don’t blow it off…..please.

http://www.pendletoneye.com/macular.htm

[unknown-user]

Eyestrain? If you are also doing lots of time on the computer, computer screens are notorious for causing problems due to the level of contrast (with the screen being lit up). Maybe limit time on computer, if you can, and limit time watching tv or

[David Ice]

Hi All,

I did check out the macular degeneration grid.

[kreig-kitts]

Tony, I was thinking of the flute analogies as well.

[tony-morosco]

+++Blind tests of silver versus gold flutes, for example, show that nobody can tell the difference from the sound alone.+++

I don’t doubt it. I think there is a difference between solid silver or gold and plated, but then that may just be a matter of the quality of construction and attention to detail that goes into higher end flutes. I do think I notice a difference when changing the head-joint from plated to a solid silver, but who knows, it may just be in my head as well, or again a simple matter of these head joints being constructed with more attention and care. Head-joint making is a fine art.

[Author]

Posts