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Hi, Kay:
Usually its only the higher pitched strings that need to be wrapped under; this is so they won’t slip. The lower-range strings are usually big enough in diameter that the next winding of the string around the pin holds the end securely. Hope that made sense!
Andy
I’ve only ever had one go during a performance; but I did have eight break in the first two weeks with a new harp that was shipped from Chicago to Florida.
Andy
I almost forgot…I had to ban the dogs from the room my harps are in when I’m not there. One of them developed the habit of napping with his chin on the base of the harp, and I had to wipe up Pekingese drool several times.
Andy
Louise definitely wins! I played for a great-aunt’s funeral, and an elderly, wheelchair bound distant cousin had been placed very close to the harp. He hacked up a wad of phelgm, leaned over, and spit it out right next to the harp, but it was close. On another note, that’s also where I learned to be extremely careful to watch your footing. As this was a graveside service, I was maneuvering the harp ahead of time to try to find the best spot and almost
“Harpists do it with complicated action.”
and on a bit different note…
“Old harpists never die, they just can’t be regulated anymore.”
Andy
Hi, Gillian:
I’ve been right where you are. Every time I sat behind the harp, I was frustrated, and didn’t want to play. I sold my harp and didn’t play for three years. While my reasons for getting frustrated are different from yours, you still don’t want to associate those feelings of frustration with your harp. In the two years since I’ve been playing again, I’ve experienced a renewed passion for playing. I really needed the time away to rid myself of the negative thought patterns I was developing. I’m sure you won’t need that much time away, and don’t get rid of your harp! But a little break will probably be a big help.
Andy
I’ve not ever seen that particular way of noting range. The most common one for harps starts with the lowest note of a concert grand being C7, and going up to g00, with each octave numbered from the F to the E (C7, D7, E7, F6, G6, A6, etc). It’s also common to reference just the number of strings or octaves above and below middle C – Two octaves below middle C to three octaves above, for example.
I’ve always loved lap harps and admired those who play them. I love watching and listening to beautiful music coming from such a small harp. For my own personal playing, I prefer at least five octaves. I play my 44 string Camac more than my 34 string lever harp, but everyone’s different in what they like. That’s what makes the world of the harp so interesting.
Blevins usually has an assortment of lap harps available. A friend of mine recently got one and is very pleased with it so far. I understand that Cindy will also play any of the harps for you to hear. I believe their website is blevinsharps.com .
Andy
As long as they’re all on the front of the column…I have performance nerves enough as it is, I certainly don’t need Hasselmans, Renie, Salzedo, Grandjany and Tournier all staring at me while I play!
Andy
Hi, Sid, thanks for the mention! I can’t limit it to just one person from here I’d like to meet. I’m going to be at Harpjourneys in Houston at the end of the month, and I’m going to finally meet in person someone I count as a good friend from here, Brook Boddie. I’m going to break the one person limit, and
Hi, Brook and Heide: Glad to hear you’re both going and I’m looking forward to meeting you both! Only a month away!
Andy
Hi, Helen: I have a Camac Clio and absolutely love it! The Camac trolley has a small peg that fits into a hole in the base of the harp. I have the three-piece transport cover I use with it, and it has a slot in the base cover for the peg as well as a slot in the back of the cover for the “hook” part of the trolley to fit into the soundhole, so it can be used with a full transport cover. I would imagine the dust cover would have the slot as well, but I’m not sure.
The thing I didn’t like about
I wish I could answer that question, but it’s been so long ago now I don’t really remember! It seems like it wasn’t terribly long. At first I was going back and forth between working on what my teacher had me doing, and my old style, and reached a point where I just made the decision to only play one way and devote my time and energy to it. I think that’s what made the difference for me. Sorry I couldn’t be more specific!
Andy
