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I have only one harp that I use. I own 2 because I have not yet sold the harp I upgraded from (30-string beautiful ribbon mahogany, C&F Robinson levers, removable legs, anybody interested?).
I love my new Magical Strings harp, 36-string Kailey Concert model built by Phil Boulian.
I’m with Karen. Just my personal opinion, but it really sounds like your heart won’t be satisfied with an all-around harp. There will be too many compromises, even with a Dusty. You might just be a multi-harp person, as she suggests. Your challenge now is not beating your harp(s) into the shape of your budget, but rather, shaping the budget to fit your necessary harps.
I know exactly what you mean! I had exactly the same question (different harp) a few months ago.
I’d suggest you contact MusicMakers in Minnesota. (Main page: http://www.harpkit.com )
As Jennifer suggested, check out books by Verlene Schermer, including the Tunes With A Twist series and especially Cool Chords And Groovy Rhythms. These books are available through Sylvia Woods Harp Center website. Try this page: Schermer on Harp Center
That is just amazing! And very cool. We think our animals are separate from us and different from us, until they surprise us by enjoying
There are comfortable elastic fingerless gloves usually marketed for easing arthritis pain, not very expensive. I’ve seen them at Walgreen’s, Target and other drustore type stores. They help me a lot when my hands tire from knitting or computer work or playing flute. They’re usually in the same section with Ace bandages, ankle and knee and wrist braces, that sort of thing. I don’t know for sure if these are the gloves Sam referred to, but if so, they’re cheap and effective (in my experience), comfortable and don’t even look goofy! They’re worth a try anyway.
Hi Shivhan,
Since you live in Canada, be sure to check out West Coast Harps based in British Columbia [West Coast Harps]. They are very knowledgeable and willing to help, carry several makers &
Omigosh that’s TOMORROW! I’d be up all night if I were in your shoes — or slippers!
We want pictures!!!
For something quite different and original, take a look at Cindy Klienstuber-Blevins’ books (http://cindykleinstuber.com/
One more thought: I was afraid I would have to make major compromises on my next harp, if I had to budget for a
Thank you, everyone, for your replies. They are very encouraging. I am much more willing to spend money for the harp that fits me well and sounds lovely to me, if it will last me a while. It sort of sounds like my earlier fears (that a harp was only a 5-year investment) were ungrounded. Although I do hope to be dragging my harp in and out of the car a lot, I intend to take good care of it. Hopefully not too much playing outdoors. Your comments are a big relief. Thanks!
Thank you very much, Bernhard. This gives me some good thoughts for when I am at HarpCon 2010 this summer. I will be looking for harps there, because there will be so many harpmakers in one place.
I prefer to look for a harp made by a harpmaker rather than a factory instrument, so talking to individual harpmakers will be easy for me. I understand that factory instruments can sometimes be more consistent, but on the other hand, they are also sometimes built to a certain cost point, which may require certain compromises.
Is there anything in particular I should look for in the harps I try out? Or is it best to simply describe my needs to the harpmakers and let them suggest a good instrument to meet those goals?
I confess to not having much experience with harps, but I do have lots of experience with other kinds of instruments, most of them stringed. A warped neck sounds pretty structural to me, something to be looked at very seriously. If the warping is more than minimal, I’d be very hesitant to buy into problems. If you have a luthier who could look at it you might get a more expert opinion. But if not I’d proceed with extreme caution.
If you like the sound of Troubadour I, you might
