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Anna, I think it’s VERY important not to compare your progress to others. More than any other instrument I’ve ever played, I find that progress playing the harp is like being on a diet- you can plateau for a while and then make a LOT of progress quickly.
It’s also a matter of being in the right place at the right time. There may be no opportunities to play for others for a stretch, then many.
Finally, one’s personal mental set has a lot to do with how soon (or not soon) playing in public is right for you. I’ve played for exactly three years this month, I have a degree in music education, and I wasn’t at all ready for other people to hear me until recently.
If you are enjoying what you’re doing, looking forward to practicing every time you sit down to play, and aspiring to making progress, you’re on the right track!
My composition teacher, Dorothy Priesing, wrote a song called “Now Is the Caroling Season” that was used as the feature selection on a nice old album by the Fred Waring Chorale.
The final chord as an open fifth. We adorable college students would torment her in rehearsals by having someone softly hum a major or minor third at the end of the piece.
She brooked no nonsense when it came to the performance in concert. I’m sure if anyone had sung anything but the opened fifth she would have made them apologize and dragged them off the stage.
The sound is very Middle Ages appropriate.
Are there any really serious musicians who are not perfectionists?
Can one be a serious musician and not be a perfectionist?
Are there any really serious musicians who are not perfectionists?
Can one be a serious musician and not be a perfectionist?
Are there any really serious musicians who are not perfectionists?
Can one be a serious musician and not be a perfectionist?
After the first surgery (March 4), I can see everything perfectly without glasses!
I will be having the second surgery March 18. While I will no doubt have additional changes, I feel fairly confident that I’ll be able to see what I need to for the performances.
I hope everyone who is dealing with this problem has the same result as I am having.
Just a thought from a life long musician (certified in music ed) who started lessons with an excellent teacher 3 years ago.
As you have observed, the three types of harp are very different. But also, you must take into account that the harp itself is VERY different from all other instruments, and having taught all of them except harp, I can tell you that it is definitely the easiest instrument on which to develop fiendishly bad habits quickly.
If you want the same joy that you have from the harp as you have from other instruments, find a teacher and rent. I didn’t rent first and if I had, I would have purchased my lever harp from the same maker (Thormahlen) but bought the Swan instead of the Serenade.
I am now taking lessons on pedal harp and love it, so no regrets at all about my Serenade, which sounds wonderful.
I have been frustrated along the way because I’ve considered my progress to be slow, but I am getting to the point where there are sonderful pieces within my reach. You are not too old to do the same. There are some very good tutorials out there, but I’d bet that even the people who developed and published them would tell you that teaching yourself is not the same as being taught in the presence of a living teacher.
Do what you love!
I’ve seen the Saint-Saens somewhere very recently at one of the larger US sites but I’m not sure which one. If I can find it again, I’ll post. You’re talking about the one in seven flats, right?
Most musicals are owned by either Tams Witmark, Music Theater International, or Rodgers and Hammerstein.
If the musical you’re looking for is listed by any of these three companies, the orchestration will be listed on their websites.
David Daniels’ book “Orchestral Music” is a wonderful resource for orchestral repertoire. I have the 3rd and 4th editions. It’s really interesting reading if you love orchestral music.
Neither of the two works that you’ve mentioned have a harp part listed.
