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I play my own version of Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair. Don’t know if it’s the same version as the one you mentioned. It’s a traditional Scottish (maybe Irish?) song. Christy Moore does the most famous version of it which mine is based on.
Mae, that is really very interestingly put! It makes me proud! I have no interest in being able sight read, and even less now after your wonderful comment!
That is such wonderful news, Deb! I’m also sending some good positive healing energy to help your husband on the road to recovery and to you as well!
Folk musicians don’t use sheet music (not for gigs anyway). I learned to play the traditional way, phrase by phrase, by ear. I can play much more complicated music than I ever could if I had to sight read it. But then most classical music is even more complicated the the most complicated trad Irish stuff, I assume.
Listening to it right now….it’s really nice, like music from a film, maybe? It’s slightly playful and intense at the same time–cool–maybe you could play those two things against each other even more? I do like it….
I don’t play pedal harp so I may not be the best judge when it comes to issues like transitioning from lever harp to pedal harp, but I do know people who have adjusted to different string spacing easily.
I’m not super familiar with Salvi harps, I’ve seen and heard one and it’s got a big sound, but it *is* a 38 string harp with a huge soundboard.
I’ve tried playing on gut strings, but after 15 years of playing on nylon I found them to feel a bit ‘sticky’ and no easier to play than nylon.
Best of luck!
Honestly for a 6 year old I don’t think it matters too much. I gave lessons to a 7 year old on my small Dusty Strings (26 strings) and she did fine. No problem at all plucking the nylon strings. I’m a bit prejudiced towards Dusty Strings as both my small and big harp are DS, I find them very resonant. Pilgrim harps are nice, but in comparison (I’ve only ever seen and heard a couple up close) the sound isn’t as clear and resonant.
I wouldn’t stress too much about it–save that for when you actually decide to *buy* a harp!
David, I just want to echo what Kay has said about Sherry (with all due respect, Sherry). If you check out her videos you will understand what we mean. I believe Sherry does work, but perhaps is a bit more limited than most of us. I think kindness rather than anger is better expressed.
I definitely second the suggestion of Clive Morley Harps. There is also The Early Music Shop, but that is up north (near me) in Saltaire. Also maybe Hobgoblin in London. Check with your local branch of The Clarsach Society as well.
In April is the Edinburgh Harp Festival, far from you but I’m sure totally worth the visit to check out loads and loads of harps as well as take workshops. At the very least check the Clarsach Society for teachers, harps for hire, members who may be selling a harp, etc.
I definitely believe you should the best instrument you can afford and if at all possible, rent first!
Sherry, I think for the most part everyone here wishes you the very best and we do hope you can realize your dream some day.
It’s just that, these days, charities come at us from every direction. They stop us on the street, they send us requests through the mail, they knock on our doors when we are having dinner. Even our jobs asks us for money! (I work for a charity and they are cheeky enough to ask their own employees to donate money even though most of us work through our lunch breaks and come in early and leave late, none of that we get paid for.) And of course they are *all* good causes!
Also in this economy we are all struggling to make ends meet. To put enough good food on the table and to educate our kids (if we have them),to keep our cars running, our homes from falling apart (if we are lucky enough to own one!), and our basic bills paid and ourselves out of debt. Many of us have and do sacrifice much in order to rent a harp / have music lessons. That’s why people get angry (at the worst) or annoyed (at the very least).
I do hope you find a way and wish you (and everyone on this forum) abundance now and in the future.
