Reasons for mysterious gender imbalance in harp playing…?

[Sonya Wiley]

I’m new to the harp world ; if most harpists are women have you noticed most technicians are men?

[tony-morosco]

Sonya, I find it funny because at least half of the harpists I know are men, but my harp technician is a woman. I must live in Bizzaro world.

[Sylvia]

Back a few centuries ago when I was young, I had the impression that the harp world was dominated by men….Grandjany, Zabaleta, Salzedo, Osian Ellis…all European.

I think Women’s Lib had something to do with women getting out to play more, as in other fields of work. They no longer wanted to stay home and clean the house, and gadgets were becoming widespread…an automatic washer and dryer…a self-defrosting refrigerator (yep, it took a lot of time and bother to defrost), i.e. labor-saving devices that freed up time for women. (The countertop microwave oven was first introduced in 1967 by the Amana Corporation, according to Wikipedia.)

[Sid Humphreys]

I think Sylvia has a good point there, but also teachers (like Salzedo) liked the girls. He didn’t want to teach men. He liked swooning the girls. Salzedo said that men looked awkward playing the harp. I know that he alone is not responsible for this but it DID aide the swing towards a women’s instrument.
I’ve always heard of his female students… did Salzedo have any male students? Never did bother to read his book.

[tracey-kjonegaard]

perhaps a video isn’t the best way to go cause I’m sure maybe it would make more sense if you could hear it in person..I just can’t see that its buzzing anywhere so maybe its just the string should be replaced

[kathy-chanik]

I think it’s the lever. If the string sounds fine in the open position (lever off) but sounds funky when the lever is engaged then the string is rattling against it in some off way. I don’t think changing the string will help. You don’t show the levers so I can’t see what kind they are, but you should probably just take the harp back to the shop and have them adjust it for you.

[tracey-kjonegaard]

Yeah, you’re right. I’m not even sure why I didn’t think of that to begin with lol. But yeah, the first times I was playing it, the lever was disengaged then I flipped it and thats when I showed it sounded a bit weird. You probably cant tell but there isn’t that much buzz. Its just the ever slightest vibration that makes it sound goofy. But I tried looking and couldn’t really see where it was buzzing or anything.

I can’t really take it to the shop cause I’m renting it from a private owner and I’m not supposed to do anything with it w/ out talking to him first and also, I don’t really want to do anything thats going to be costly. I may just wait till my rentals done since I’ll be renting a different after then.

Thanks for the insight!

[Sylvia]

Yes, he did. My teacher (a man) was a student of Salzedo’s!

[Sid Humphreys]

That’s good to know Sylvia, thanks!

[Sylvia]

In fact, when my teacher wanted to buy a new harp, he felt obliged to buy a Salzedo model, even though he DID NOT LIKE the style!
That’s how powerful the Salzedo charisma was (still is for some people).
I wouldn’t play a Salzedo model if someone GAVE it to me. Neither do I play the technique.

[Marco Hilgeman]

Somehow it’s an interesting question, historically, but on the other hand I don’t get it…does it really make a difference how many men or women play this wonderful instrument? I think the most important thing is that we all just enjoy playing our harps, apart from gender or playing styles. My 2 cents…

[jimmy-h]

Earlier today I saw a youtube video of the air force band doing an impromptu performance at the air and space museum. And, yep, male harpist.

You can see him at 2:34 but his name tag is concealed by the soundbox. Maybe he’ll pop up on the forum or someone may know who he is?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIoSga7tZPg

[kreig-kitts]

Eric Sabatino is the Air Force harpist.

[Sylvia]

What a great performance! (they didn’t show the harp enough, tho)
I wondered about the strings. Our band has at times had cello and bass, but never fiddles.

[kreig-kitts]

If you go to their web site (@www.usafband.mil), the band includes several ensembles, including the Concert Band, Ceremonial Brass (funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, receiving foreign dignitaries, etc.), the Air Force Strings, and the Singing Sergeants. he Air Force Concert Band is also unique among the service bands for having a small cello section. In this case, the flash mob seems to have combined some of the groups. Living in DC, I have several friends who play in various military bands, so I’ve picked up bits of info here and there. They’re also one of the best sources of no-admission-fee music in the area. Working near the Navy Memorial, sometimes on my way home I stumble upon a concert.

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