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Saul,
You said “my highest gut strings are 4th octave E and D.” I use gut all the way up through the second octave, as recommended by Lyon & Healy. I am curious as to what types of strings you use.
Ian,
I have played many Camac pedal harps at the Atlanta Harp Center, and have never found the pedal actions to be “stiff.” I agree with the others, do have the harp tech check this condition–it may be the springs.
Best to all of you,
BalfourDavid,
There is one particular conductor in this area of the country that I have worked with on several different occasions. The last time I played for him, about a year ago, I told my sweet wife, who is my agent and manager, that I never intended to work with the man again.
So, guess what, he called about three months ago, needing a harpist. My wife checked our schedule and politely told him that we had another commitment, out of town. He did not intend to take “No” for an answer, and proceeded to tell her why I should be so “Honored” to get to work with him again!
My wife finally convinced him that I really could not do the concert, and we learned later that the conductor hired a student harpist to do the job. He reportedly picked on her so much that he drove her to tears and she could not do the performance! I definitely never intend to work with him again, and other harpists should not, either.
It is good to hear from you. I have enjoyed this forum!
Thanks, and best wishes,
BalfourMae,
I am so glad to hear all this! It reminds me of my very early experience of learning to play the pedals of the pipe organ. A pianist and lever harpist has to learn independence of the hands, and an organist and pedal-harpist has to have that down-pat so he can add feet to the mix! I suffered and wrestled with trying to do all that for weeks, and then finally something “clicked” like you said! I was suddenly able to do it.
With the pedal harp, I objected to the horrible order of the pedals, preferring that they went “C D E F G A B” and finally just had to accept that they were “D C B E F G A” and be done with it. Harpists play very well with this “horrible” arrangement, and it just IS as it IS.
Hope you have a great day! How is your PHD coming?
Best thoughts,
BalfourAndelin,
Dusty Strings also has very good instructions for changing strings on their website. Hope it all goes smoothly for you! If I can help, please let me know.
Best to you,
BalfourI just changed the bass wires on my Musicmakers Large Gothic 36. They were made by Vermont Strings and sound absolutely beautiful, not metallic at all. So I would say “go for it” Andelin, if you feel up to changing them.
Hello, Myds,
Thanks for your response. I did not think of one very important point here, until just now: what are the acoustics like where you have the Salzedo harp now? My harp, when at home, is on a hardwood floor with plaster walls, a very “live” space. In that space, she is beyond beautiful, she is perfect! (Maybe that is why I play her so much, ha, ha!)
However, when I take her out, sometimes I have to deal with dead acoustical spaces, and have to resort to amplifying the harp to compensate. I just wondered if you have taken the harp out to compare spaces. Just a thought!
Have a great day,
BalfourDavid, the most ironic thing here is that the conductor asked you back, ha, ha! He must have really thought that you did a tremendous job, but was one of those who cannot let YOU know that. Or, he had already been turned down by the other harpists he asked, maybe before he asked you and you turned him down, and he was down to his last resource! 🙂 Either way, you won, and I would have done the same thing! It is very difficult to work with someone like that.
I always enjoy reading your posts! Keep them coming.
All the best,
BalfourThat’s great, Mae! Can’t wait for the video, and please do not feel too embarrassed to play for us. We love you!
Have a great day,
BalfourAlyson, I assume that this means you were able to get a L&H 100CG. Congratulations! That is a very nice harp and it is good to know that it will fit into your Prius.
Thanks, Saul–all very good ideas. I do not use Aloe to soften my skin/callouses, but to help heal them. Straight from the live plant, the gel gets down in there and forms a nice firm coating over the skin, that actually is more like a light bandage. It helps me to play better after it has dried thoroughly and become tough. I fear that the bottled Aloe would not do this–like Angela said, it has too many additives.
These all sound like good thoughts about breaking in the Salzedo. I have a L&H 85GP, 44 strings, built much lighter than the concert grand harps, and it sounded spectacular from day one! It is very bright, full and rich, and even though I did not think or expect that it would improve over the years, I honestly believe that it did. So, just give the Salzedo time, and tune and play it regularly, the more, the better!
Best wishes,
BalfourAngela, that sounds good, and also the myrrh. I just cut off thin slices of an Aloe leaf as I need it, to apply the REAL THING directly to my fingers. I keep scissors handy and just take it off the plant in small “chunks” which I open up to get to the gel. It is also great for bruises, sun-burn, and all sorts of “ailments.” Thanks, Balfour
Chloe, I always use Aloe Vera, either from the live plant, or from a bottled source. Check at your local health-food store for the gel. It is natural and amazing!
Alyson,
My sweet wife always helps me load my pedal harp. It is an 85GP, so it is much easier to deal with than a full-size concert grand. Both of us and the pedal harp fit comfortably in a 2002 Honda CRV. I know that if I ever had a larger harp, this would not be possible!
Hope some folks who deal with larger harps can help answer your questions!
Have a great day,
Balfour
