playing wire harp and nylon/flurocarbon

[lyn-boundy]

As long as it doesn’t bother you that’s all that matters. You can look on it as a bit of extra ‘personality’. As you rightly suggest, it could have happened as soon as you first moved it upstairs (the first thing I did with my new harp was drop the tuning key on the soundboard – no damage luckily!) and then you’d really be kicking yourself. As much as we like our harps to be objects of beauty, when it comes down to it, the only thing that really matters is the sound they make so don’t let the bump spoil your enjoyment of that.

[deb-l]

great attitude randal. I have only moved the Dusty downstairs twice in the past year because I’m so worried about dropping or dinging it. It’s a shame to have worry interfere with enjoyment of an instrument. Happy to hear you are enjoying playing your harp after such a long wait. I love the bell-like sound of wire. Did you break her in with any Carolan yet? Hope you get the strings you need soon, that will make a huge difference. Lucky that you already have nails for it. I already caved and cut mine because they were getting in the way for nylon/savarez stringing. I just can’t stand it when they get a little bit long they catch on everything, probably due to my ‘unique’ technique.

Sherri, thanks for all the info. Wire harps are like a different instrument altogether. Just like pedal harps and lever. I wasn’t able to hear your soundclip, I think I need to install an update. Your luna is beautiful though, thanks for the details on how you use pads and nails to play it. I image it would be fun to be creative with it and play with different effects rather than strictly traditional approach.

[randal]

Well I tried playing my Carolan tunes ; )…adjusting to wire spacing (and my harp has quite narrow spacing), and without visual references, is a bit challenging. My harp has some colored pins (red and blue), but the way I’ve tuned it–these do not correspond as my nylon harp…even if they did, the coloration is very subtle and I can hardly see them anyway! Beginning yesterday–I’m training myself to play more by feel

(Not to beat a dead horse, but I posted a pic upthreads…for our edification?)

[Tacye]

Depending on what the finish is you might want to read up about steaming dents out of wood and see if you think it worth trying.

[randal]

Thanks for the suggestion Tayce

I may just try a little steam, at some point

[randal]

Well, upon Tayce’s suggestion, I read a thread online–the first one that a search produced, which happened to be quite informative–and just a few minutes ago took the electric iron to the gouge. It immediately rose a bit, and gives me confidence that I could probably steam the dent out to about flush, with subsequent treatments. I’ll still have to glue the avulsion back–after I’m finished with steam treatments–but that should be a simple enough procedure. Thanks again Tayce!

Otherwise–I found a set of hammered dulcimer strings about, and replaced the three mandolin strings I’d hastily used to tune it up and get playing…the HD strings are far more suitable. These–and the old existing strings–certainly aren’t optimal, but have kept their tune pretty well, and have allowed to resurrect an old, neglected harp while I await the arrival of a new string set

After a week, I’m far more comfortable with the spacing…and pieces are becoming smoother : )

Here’s hoping that Deb soon comes to deciding on a harp!

[Tacye]

Glad it helped! It is always nice bringing necglected harps back into use.

[deb-l]

Hi Randal, had to laugh ‘here’s hoping that Deb soon comes to deciding on a harp’

I am still thinking about wire, but am not sure, been playing with fingerpads a long time, it would almost be like switching instruments. I can’t seem to come to terms with growing my nails shaped so that they don’t get in the way for fingerpads, and find it difficult to play with any nail length at all. I don’t want to play wire with fingerpads, part of the draw for me is using nails.. I wish I could just rent a wire harp for a bit but haven’t seen any available as a rental.

[randal]

Well I think you’re absolutely correct in your assessment of the specialized rigors associated with nails. I’d think one would have to be particularly predisposed in some way for the approach. Without the background, predisposition, or opportunity for experimentation–how would one come to the wire harp?

Personally, I would love to have some facility with nylon harp, but in realizing my disposition I’m afraid it’s wire for me–for better or worse

[Sherri Matthew]

Hi Randal,

Re your comment, “Without the background, predisposition, or opportunity for experimentation–how would one come to the wire harp?”
I came to the wire harp while working on a research paper completing my undergrad degree in my mid-30’s, doing an independent study on the history of harps in general. I heard a recording of one and knew I had to pursue that when I finished my B.A. I actually didn’t have mine built until a few years later, but I knew it was the right instrument for me. I didn’t feel any pull towards the pedal harp or nylon harps (and still don’t), but it was very important to me to pursue that.

I love my wire harp. One of the best decisions I’ve every made. It has a lovely, ringing bell-like sound, with a long sustain, just what I love most about this instrument. My husband plays the carillon (bells) at two area colleges and we’ve wondered if there’s the connection.

I don’t worry about nails too much. They break, they grow. I’m not particular about shapes, they’re just normal nails like anyone else’s, not terribly long, but they do the job.

[randal]

Thanks Sherri…

I’m similar, in that–I’ve been hearing and compelled by the wire harp for decades…and I think since first hearing it and identifying what it was–always desired to acquire and play wire harp. For a variety of reasons, I never overcame the barriers until recently (actually playing Carolan tunes on hammered dulcimer for 20-30 years to help assuage my affinity for the idiom). I would have difficulty recounting all of the instruments and styles I’ve studied in the intervening years. It’s been a long and circuitous journey

I like your thoughts about the bells…there’s a whole realm of sonics–timbre and resonance–to discuss! That’s an aspect of wire, I believe–a “pure,” bell-like quality–that’s particularly evocative and alluring

[Sherri Matthew]

Hammered dulcimers are beautiful – I can easily see that leading you towards wire harp! And long & circuitous journeys… I haven’t really posted mine in detail since that would probably be book length. I just mention the highlights here and there so I reach the end point. 🙂

[randal]

HD is so nice at least for reason of its low ergonomic demand…just hit it with a stick : )

I don’t fret much over nails either–although i try like hell to not break/tear them. When it happens, I have to file them all down so I can play anything…then it’s what it is until they assume a decent length again. I am, however, finding the left hand nails rather a drag…

[Sherri Matthew]

If a nail breaks I usually just trim the damaged part away, as minimally as possibly, but I leave all my other nails the same length. I keep nail clippers on my key ring for that purpose, because it seems like my car door likes to attack nails for some reason. 🙁 Also I’ve found eating high calcium foods like yogurt daily breaks them back really quick. Usually I’m back in business about a week later.

Hammered dulcimer playing sticks kind of lightly bounce off the strings don’t they, almost like a piano action? Never played one. What kind of sustain do the strings have, compared to a wire harp?

[randal]

A very similar response–in terms of sustain

How are you able to compensate for the lack of consistent length when you lose a nail? Over 30+ years of classical guitar, I’ve never figured out a way

[Author]

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