Squeaky Harp Strings

[Kara Dahl Russell]

As someone who has harps with different string brands, I would like to add my perspective that it is NOT the brand of the string. ( Anecdote: I have never had this problem with my harp w/ Valkerie Strings, but I have had this problem with one lever harp that has Bow brand lever strings.)

But again, like you, I spent several weeks trying to nail down the source of the squeek and I found a combination of factors involved (assuming it is not an issue that requires a regulation – talk to your harp regulator about it, too):
1) Time of year – squeek seems to be worse when the heat is on
2) The particular resonance of the individual harp. The harp with the squeek has strong harmonic resonance and a bright voice, which, of course, makes the squeek sound louder and resonate longer.

But the biggest factor that I found, and was able to eliminate, that has almost totally eliminated the squeek?
3) SILICATES. It sounds like you’re like me and have dry skin/hands. I have found that when I use a hand lotion (or a cosmetic product) that has silicates in it, they get on the strings and SQUEAK!!! (The squeak for me also was most prevalent on the strings where my hand sits/plays most. And when the heat is on, my skin is drier – hello!) Silicates in these products are created to last 8 hours or longer for “glide” and so they can be very hard to fully get off your hands. Silicates are now in many foundations, skin “matte glow”, creams, and “shine” products, etc…. because of their extended glide-life, they can take several wipe downs over a few days to get them off the strings, even once you’ve been careful to have it off your hands.
“Clean hands only” is always my announcement when people want to touch the harp. Once I identified this element, I made sure to not only wash my hands, but wash them very well and dry thoroughly… and try to do without moisturizer before I practice/play (or moisturize hands an good 1/2 hour before playing, and dry off excess again before playing – it can help to keep a towel/cloth in your bag/on your practice stand)… this is all basic care that we can just get lazy about.
(Interesting to note the person who said he put nair on his hands…. the chemicals in nair could have a deep cleaning side-effect…)

The more you can do to isolate specific strings and specific habits the better you can make eliminations and isolate the cause of your squeek.

I realize this thread is a little old – I hope you have it all cleared up by now!

[Sid Humphreys]

Yes Kara, I’m a hairdresser by trade and a lot of hair products have “silicone”, I think this is what you were meaning instead of silicates? If I can go 4 days or more without using products with this ingredient, squeaking stops for me. If I can’t avoid these products before a performance, using a soft nail file (the kind that manicurists use to remove ridges from the nail bed) on my fingers followed by good quality hand lotion (silicone free)does the trick.
As for Nair. That is sodium hydroxide. That is the active ingredient for hair relaxers (yes, leave that relaxer on too ling and your hair falls out!) Its also the main ingredient for Easy Off Oven Cleaner (yes, leave it on even longer and you’ll burn your skin!) Don’t use Nair to clean your hands.

[Sonya Wiley]

Great post, this all makes sense. I wanted to blame it on the strings but then i didn’t squeak when playing at lessons on the same brand.

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

Check carefully to see if your fingers are sliding on the strings before you play them. If you place them exactly where they are to be played, they should not make a squeak when they come off the strings. The squeaking happens when you slide vertically up or down the string. If it happens only when you play the thumb, you may have to experiment with your thumb technique.

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