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Holly, get a hygrometer from Radio Shack and check the humidity level for the room your harp is in. Unfortunately, the sponge doesn’t do much at all for your harp.
Yes, the same humidity requirements would apply to lever harps as well. Keep your harp as far away from the fireplace as possible, and out of direct sunlight. Big fluctuations in temperature aren’t good for harps. If you have direct sun coming in, I’d recommend using window shades.
Carl, your first answer made me smile. So true. Interesting information on European woods and California. My Salvi was very stable from the very beginning. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area does have its advantages.
Ask your dealer about switching brands. There is such a variation in diameter and materials for lever harp strings that it’s best to check with a knowledgeable source. If you are still unsure, check with the manufacturer. Putting the wrong strings on your harp can put undue stress on the soundboard and neck.
The strings from the various manufactures do sound different. Bow Brands are said to be “brighter” while Vanderbilts are “warmer.”
http://www.vanderbiltmusic.com/strings.php
The best sounding strings are ones that are not false and still have life in them. Old and or pitted strings will not sound nor perform as well as new. Whether you like “bright” or “warm” will depend on what you want to hear from your harp.
I’m not familiar with Boyau gut strings, so can’t comment.
I’d recommend three 20 minute breaks for 4 hours, but definitely not just 10 minutes. If it’s 3 hours, then keeping your breaks to 15 would be reasonable. You have to protect your body so you can continue to play for a long, long time.
I’d rent the Ravenna since you are accustomed to a harp that’s larger and sits on the floor. I think you would feel limited by the smaller harps.
After the initial Ohh and Aww, I think all the musicians will be too busy playing to remain excited about the color of the harp
Glad to hear of the excellent service you received from Venus. Grommets/eyelets break on all brands of harps, so your experience isn’t unusual. I’ve got one that’s splitting that needs some attention.
Naoko Yoshino
http://www.naokoyoshino.com/e/index.htmlI agree with Tacye that as long as the knot holds the kind of knot doesn’t matter. Just don’t have long string ends sticking out everywhere – they can buzz.
I use Jennifer’s referenced knot for 4th and 5th octave strings, and then the other one for third octave on up. Lost less string ties that way.
That knot can be difficult to keep knotted around the string tie.
Here’s a few tips to make it easier next time:
Before tying your knot, put the string through the eyelet from the top of the soundboard to the back. (This will only work if you have a pretty good amount of length to the replacement string.) Grab the loose end and tie an overhand knot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhand_knot
and before closing it off, slip the string tie in.
Tighten the knot.
Then make a loop and slip it over the string tie so that it lies next to your first knot. Snug it up. I like to repeat this when the strings get to about .036″ and smaller.
Look at Figure 7 at the bottom of this article:
http://www.harptech.com/Articles/Strings/Strings.htmlPut some tension on your knot with your right hand and pull the string up to the tuning pin with your left. Let go of the knot when you get to the back of the soundboard. Maintain some tension while you negotiate levers/disks, anchor your string at the tuning pin and bring it up to pitch.
All done.
My opinion is that the harp should always be tuned to A 440 (or 441/442) whenever it is tuned. The fluctuations due to weather are just part of the territory. Don’t forget to tune with the pedals in flat position to save wear and tear on the strings.
Maybe your harp is twisting on the stairs because the weight is being shifted. Try bringing the dolly wheels evenly up over the lip of the stairs. If the harp is tilting left, then a force on the right side is making it move that way.
When I have to wheel over a curb or stairs I make sure I approach with the harp perpendicular to it. If someone is helping me, they have to lift the harp without causing it to tilt. Don’t go too quickly, and be prepared should the harp start to shift.
