Salzedo – Chanson dans la Nuit symbols

[joseph-pagani]

I thought I would have a little fun this summer and learn the Chanson dans la Nuit. I’ve worked on the Suite of Dances so I know a few of the Salzedo symbols, like the quick directed glisses. The one symbol I can’t find is one that looks like the thumb sliding symbol, only it’s inverted. Not sure if I’m supposed to do small lifts or if it’s still the thumb slide.

Can anybody shed any light on this?

[elinor-niemisto]

In which measures do you see it?

[joseph-pagani]

They’re in measure 3 and 11. (counting the pickup measure of rest as measure 1)
The one in 11 is placed over a gliss, this is in 3.

[Gretchen Cover]

You play this close to the sound board but with a nail-picking sound. I hate to be a Debbie-Downer, but you will have a very difficult time with this piece unless you can find someone who has already learned it and is willing to teach you. Otherwise, you may want to watch some youtube clips. This piece involves a lot of Salzedo technique that is learned by instruction, not self-taught.

[joseph-pagani]

You’re not a Debbie-Downer, I completely understand. At least my Suite of Dances has the notation, and I know Salzedo is very specific with what he wants.

[Gretchen Cover]

I just remembered that harpist Josh Layne did a segment for his Harp Tuesday about how to play Song in the Night. You can do a key word search on google or go to youtube. Good luck.

[joseph-pagani]

Thanks Ill check it out!

[carl-swanson]

Song in the night was one of the first pieces I learned on the harp, and my teacher at the time was Lois Bannerman, who had studied with Salzedo. My memory of that measure shown above is that you play those notes with your fingernails close to the soundboard. It’s a godawful sound like glass breaking.

[Lynne Abbey-Lee]

Hi Joseph,
Actually, this indicates Salzedo’s “guitaric sounds,” or more commonly, pres de la table: playing close to the soundboard, but NOT with your nails. His “plectric, or brassy sounds,” as on the second page, third line, of Chanson dans la nuit, are made by playing close to the board AND with the nails. Both are shown on p. 60 in Method for the Harp, and explained on p. 17 of Modern Study of the Harp.

Have fun with the piece!

[josh-layne]

Aha, was finally able to log in to my forum account! Yes, as Lynne says, those notes are just played close to the soundboard.

Here’s the link to part one of my look at Chanson dans la Nuit – http://youtu.be/-nzWyHh2H18 Hope that’s helpful!

Cheers,
Josh

[Julia Marie Schorn]

Hi guys I also had a question about a symbol in Chanson dans la Nuit.
I was wondering what the right hand is doing while the left hand is doing the swipe up the bass strings. Josh Layne plays it as a gliss but Yolanda Kondonassis plays it just as a broken octave. It’s the part right after the all the nail glisses. I hope this makes sense!

[josh-layne]

Hey Julie, that was my mistake – it should be played as a broken octave! (As far as I know).

[Julia Marie Schorn]

Thank you so much! Your videos have been immensely helpful as I’m teaching this to myself.

[Alison]

I think you’ll find a glossary of all the symbols at the beginning of the tutor book which contains Chanson de la Nuit.

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

Well, you certainly don’t have to play the piece, Carl! It is meant to sound guitaric, hence the name, and guitar players often play at the base of their strings. Or plectric, when you use your nails, like when guitarists play with a plectrum or pick. The other reason it is at the base of the string, and not higher up, like “pres de la table,” is that it creates the greatest contrast with playing in normal position, or “au milieux.” The same with “Papery Sounds,” where you play at the top of the strings. All are explained in the Method for the Harp, the Modern Study of the Harp, and usually on the first inside page of the composition as well.

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