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I don’t have too much advice to offer on top of what has already been stated, but am sending best wishes for a speedy recovery and no lingering effects from the accident.
I don’t know if seeing a sports medicine doctor would be of any benefit to you, though part of professional playing is being able to move your harp too.
You might also want to seek the advice of an attorney. The insurance company can wait a bit, and don’t sign away your rights for any future action against their driver. You could seek compensation for wages lost, expenses incurred due to your injury, and pain and suffering. I believe you have one year from the date of the accident to file, but you should check; laws are different around the country.
Since lever harp strings are not standardized as far as diameter of string are concerned, did you use the size string the manufacturer has indicated for the particular harp you are playing?
Also, harps can be tricky in this way; after you have determined that you got the right diameter string installed in the right place, be sure you have the string tuned to the correct octave.
If you still aren’t happy with the sound, take it to the place you are renting it from, your teacher or contact a technician.
I use a TAMA Ergo-Rider drum throne. Make sure, whatever you get, that the seat will adjust to the height you need. My TAMA works great for my pedal harps, but is too tall for my lever harp.
Plastic is an important component in the making of harps. The use of plastics does not downgrade the instrument. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t harps held together with plastic, i.e., synthetic glues? And aren’t the majority of harps finished in plastic, i.e., everything other than shellac? Aren’t the strings covered in plastic, other than the wires, and the nylon strings composed of 100% plastic? And aren’t there plastic bushings between the spindles and front plate of L&H actions?
Has the use of plastics downgraded the sound of L&H harps?
You can contact The Enchanted Harp in Puyallup, about 35 miles south of Seattle.
I’m a backyard chicken wrangler, mom, part time harp repair and admin assistant, and overseer of family finances.
I can take care of chickens for the commune and if we have sheep, can spin and knit/weave/sew garments for everyone.
About the edgy sound you’re getting. If your callouses are very hard you can soften them up by wrapping your fingers in gauze, after applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the tips. Keep the gauze in place with cloth tape. I’ve been doing this because my fingertips always split open from the cold, and this is a side benefit.
Wear ear plugs.
http://www.shape.bc.ca/resources/pdf/noisehearinglossmusicians.pdf
If your harp has sat for 2 years with the tension loosened, the board will take a bit of time to open up after pulling the strings up to pitch and stabilizing. Give yourself some time to get reacquainted with your harp. You might find it has some advantages over the 23 you played. Are you open to tweaking your technique a bit to see how your harp responds? It’s not a bad skill to have – altering your technique some – since you may find yourself playing other people’s harps for various reasons.
Let us know if you’ve fallen in love with it again
Putting the harp on a riser will amplify the sound – it acts as a resonating chamber. Don’t put a rug on it. New strings, especially bass wires, will also help. I’ve been placed where you’re sitting. Also have sat between the 1st and 2nd violin sections.
What are the dynamic markings for the other orchestral instruments? Maybe they’re playing too loud – just a thought. Talk to your conductor about the situation. He/she most likely doesn’t know much about the harp and would appreciate knowing more of what you and the harp can do.
Glad you found a solution to your back pain. I’ve used a drummer’s throne for years. Got the recommendation from a harpist who’s husband is a physical therapist and have passed the recommendation onto other harpists. I use the TAMA Ergo-Rider.
I believe the choice of string material depends on how well the harp responds to the material used. So many factors, both objective and subjective, play into how a harp sounds that blanket statements should be taken with a grain of salt. An even tone and responsiveness throughout the harp is generally thought of as the quality desired. Use the material that gives you what you want.
(Dull notes are not always because of the string used.)
I played an extended board Chicago a few months back. Thought it was a great sounding harp; even throughout, responsive, good tone for being new. That being said, It’s always best to try a harp out before buying though, as all harps have their own “personality.”
One reason for more expensive concert grands is the amount of man hours expended on carving and/or gilding, so cost doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of sound.
You have good questions regarding a purchase of an older used harp that needs major repairs. There’s no way to know how this harp would compare to the new models you mention since it hasn’t undergone its repair yet. Yes, a crack in the baseboard is a major concern.
Can’t say whether the 19 would play the same as the 23 at Eastman, but my feeling is no. One’s a semi-grand and the other a concert grand.
If gold (with carving) is important to you, and you don’t mind a semi-grand then go for it. You can’t buy a new gold for anywhere near that.
Lenore, I’ve seen your other posts asking about Bow Brands. Don’t put any string on your harp until you check with a dealer or manufacuturer of your harp. If you get the go-ahead, you might consider purchasing an octave to see if you like the sound enough to change out all your strings. Be aware that when you change brands/type of material used, the harp may possibly have to be regulated because differences in string diameter can cause strings to buzz and/or be out of tune when levers are engaged.
