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Interesting about the pedal order, and that the Dilling/Douglas harps (which have seven “dital” levers corresponding to the seven pedals on pedal harps) have the CDEFGAB order, like looking at the lever order on lever harps! I think that the CDEFGAB order would have been logical on pedal harps, too, but it is like the type-writer keyboard which has become our computer keyboard, it is too well established to change it now!
Carl, I know you build wonderful harps, both pedal and lever. I hope to be able to play one someday, since I know of your great reputation. Speaking of the Douglas/Dilling harps, my problem is that I would love for one of these to have at least 36 strings, C–C, or better still, 38 strings, Low A–High C. I wondered if you could build them, in addition to your established line of harps? I am in Western North Carolina, by the way, since most people do not let you know!
By far the very best light-weight music stand that I have ever seen is the Anderson folding music stand. It is available in several different finishes; I have the ebony one which goes well with all three of my harps which have three different finishes. This stand is also very sturdy–it will not collapse until you are ready to fold it up, and it fits nicely into a zippered case with a convenient carrying strap.
I agree, Sid, we try to make playing the harp look effortless! I was just thinking about a funny thing that happened at the Christmas Eve pre-service mini-concert that I just played. About midway through my all-memorized program, a cute little girl, dressed in an angel costume, freed herself from her father and “danced” up the aisle in front of the audience and toward me and my harp. Her father bounded after her, snatched her up, and took her back to their seats, amid chuckles from several in the congregation. I immediately smiled and began to play “O Come Little Children” to the amusement of everyone. It was a very special moment, and people said that set the tone of the whole service.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the posts about the topic of spare strings! I agree that a harpist should have an extra complete set of strings for each harp he/she owns, which does add up to an investment. Additionally, I have found that harp strings make excellent gifts, such as on birthdays and at holiday times, and when I play for charity events, I let it be known (in a nice way) that harp strings are expensive. On more than one occasion, someone is very willing to contribute to my “harp string fund.”
Maria, I LOVE my L&H 85GP pedal harp. It has 44 strings with a beautiful extended soundboard, and I find it to be more brilliant and fuller-toned than other larger harps I have played. The lowest D string can be tuned down to a Low C or C# if you need it, and I have played this harp in several orchestral settings with great success, without amplification. L&H are no longer making this harp, unfortunately, but you may be lucky enough to find a good used one somewhere. I forgot to mention that I am a male harpist, 5′ 6″, so I prefer a smaller harp, especially moving it around to my many gigs, as I get older! I wish you all the best in your search for the perfect harp for YOU!
