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Ooooh…..tensing up can be so bad, and it is really common when playing fast passages unless you become aware of it and make yourself stop doing it. I had a similar problem on the first movement of the Parry in D. It took me a long time to get the knack of relaxation when playing fast passages. You can’t really close all the way for every note you play when you’re going that quickly……but you can be aware of the need to close anyway, and the need to stay relaxed. I made myself take a step back and slow it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down (for practice purposes). I would play each note in the passage slowly and close, keeping my hand relaxed….hand in the proper position, arm in the proper position. It worked. I did that regularly for a long time — only during practice, and it began to build into the piece when I played it at tempo. For me, it wasn’t something that I could just “fix” — just like that. It was a habit I had gotten into when learning my first really ripping piece….and one I had to break. It also makes the tone much nicer when you are relaxed. It becomes very brittle when you get all tensed.
Good luck!
Briggs
Did you ask your teacher for some ideas too? I hope you did. If you are just starting, of COURSE your playing is uneven. I’m hoping that when your teacher tells you this (s)he gives you some ideas for correcting it as well.
My favorites are Isabelle Moretti, Sandrine Chatrot, Kerstin Allvin, Marcel Grandjany and Judy Loman. 🙂
Briggsie
I am a pedal harpist, but I also have a Troubadour lever harp. I played several (3 I think) different models of Triplett floor harps. I can’t tell you which they were, and I also played a Dusty 36 string harp on the same day in the same room. The Dusty was much stronger sounding and had more tension in the strings. To me the Tripletts felt “too loose” but of course I am a pedal harpist, so that is probably why. The Dusty had a much warmer tone…..and that could’ve been that particular harp too…..but I didn’t care for any of the Tripletts………and that is just my opinion. I’ve heard Tripletts played on other occasions that sounded quite nice.
Briggs
It happens a lot so it seems. Supposedly I have a harp that is substandard by some as well……HAHAHA!!!! It’s a Camac, and a wonderful instrument.
If you love your instrument, just revel in the joy. Who cares what someone else has to say about it?
Yes, I was quoting facts…..FACTS. I didn’t call anyone names….my goodness…..so many “sudden appearances” here now!!
My word!!!!! Such an overreaction from some of you!!! Who is involved in name calling or bashing???? All I said was that saying Salvis were fragile was not true. Why is this bashing? Why is this name calling? Some of you tend to really freak out at the least disagreement with what you say!! Settle DOWN…..
It doesn’t bother you that there was false information given on an entire BRAND of harps (Salvi), huh John? Only that Venus was mentioned, I gather. Oh my………..I can almost hear the choirs of angels!!
