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Hello, everyone! Thanks for all these great posts to Snoopy Lee. There isn’t too much I can add here, but I just wanted to say that I started playing by ear before I was five years old. My strict father loved that I had this ability, but he insisted that his son would become “musically literate,” as he put it, and learn to read music. That way, I could communicate my art with other musicians, also writing down musical notation. I owe him a lot, I must say, having achieved a Master’s degree in music, in three different instruments, piano, organ, and harp.
It is still the most fun to “play by ear,” but I have always enjoyed learning the classics, and playing them from memory at my concerts. My dad also insisted on this, as he disliked musicians playing in public with their music sheets and stands–it was a “distraction,” ha, ha! So, Snoopy Lee, persevere in your reading of music and playing the harp by ear. They are both essential to your development as a musician!
Best wishes and harp hugs,
BalfourI prefer tapered pins, despite the fact that my Dusty FH36S has threaded pins. Like Charles said, having to back out the threaded pins to change a string is a pain! If a tapered pin ever works loose, all that is necessary is to apply pressure to the tuning key, turning back and forth a bit to force the pin a bit further into the wooden neck of the harp.
Thanks for inspiring me to try this one on lever harp! I play it better on pedal harp, though, something for little Davy to aspire to in the future. It is always good to hear how he is progressing–thanks for posting these videos of him.
Best wishes and harp hugs,
BalfourHi, Jackie! I just sent you a private e-mail about this. Hope some others respond soon!
Best wishes,
BalfourGood replies, everyone! I own the six-wheeled Harp Caddy in order to navigate our steps and stairs. I also have my sweet wife on hand to assist me, every time I move the concert harp up or down stairs! Happy Valentine’s Day, all of you sweet folks out there!
Best regards,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)Hi, Gretchen–good luck on the performance! I am doing a solo pedal-harp concert tomorrow which includes some French classics–send me good thoughts!
Best wishes,
BalfourThanks for posting this wonderful video, Gretchen! I adore this work above all others in its class–Ravel’s harp writing skills set the standard for all other composers!
Harp Hugs,
BalfourBasel, thanks so much for posting your beautiful video of you playing your wonderful Salvi harp. Take that out on the streets, try some busking (with protection from the elements, of course!) take it into some old-folks’ homes, into some restaurants, and show them what they are missing! You are so talented and your playing is so nice, do keep it up and MAKE folks listen to you in Sweden. You have a rare gift, so get yourself out there. You may start a new trend of harp playing in Sweden! We don’t have many harpists here in the mountains of western North Carolina, USA, either, but I take my harps “out there” and people love it! Best wishes for your success in the future. Harp Hugs,
BalfourNever heard of a “double strung pedal harp!” Wow, wouldn’t that be a huge complicated mechanism? Did they, or DO they, have double action?
I agree, Gretchen–always work with the music director of the church where you are going to be the guest musician. Also, I used to play Celtic harp (and piano) at a Mexican restaurant owned by a dear friend of ours, Maria. I played all the Spanish and Mexican tunes on the harp like a classical guitar, and the customers loved it! Since I cannot play the guitar, the harp has to do, ha, ha!
Best wishes for a very happy New Year!
Harp Hugs,
BalfourThanks for letting all of us know how it turned out, Tanya. Also, congratulations on your new Camac Excaliber (our friend, Josh Layne, loves his new one, too!). If I were not so “addicted” to my beautiful Cherie harp (Dusty Strings FH36S) I would most probably choose the Excaliber for myself. The wonderful folks from Camac were so nice at the November Camac Festival in Washington, D. C.
Hope you all are having a great harp day! Happy New Year!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour
