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Rob,
You might also want to reach out to Erich Rase in Lancing Michigan.
He’s done a nice job keeping my 1912 Erard Gothic going before I purchased it in November.
CharlesI agree with everything Biagio mentioned. It’s a real addiction Even if you are not going into business it difficult to only build one. Collecting tools is addictive too. I became intrested in harp in the late 90’s after I graduated college and moved to Atlanta. I had a choice buy a car or a harp. You can’t really get around Atlanta without a car so…. many hours of research, group chats and looking at catalogs I made a small lap harp. Shortly after larger harps followed. I have a music degre and many years woodworking experience. There is a certain satisfaction from performing on an instrument you designed and built even if you see all its flaws. There’s a tremendous margin of error ( within reason) that will still yeild a decent tone and look nice. I started with simple diatonic harps then added levers not being satisfied with flipping levers I made a cross strung chromatic based on the Plyel chromatic Cross strung harp. Building it was a challenge 60some strings however, getting comfortable playing it was fun. Right now I’m in the process of building a triple strung harp.
Within the past couple of years I’ve been able to buy used working pedal harps and hope to be able to concentrate more on making music.
Another fun route to building a harp are kits that you put together several really good ones are available.
CharlesI love all those colors!
I’ve always had trouble picking one color which resulted in me repainting my childhood bedroom several times. How arw you enjoying the actual harp and was it difficult to order and have it delivered?
CharlesJanis,
The 7/5 layout has different fingerings for just about every scale it’s similar to scales on piano with the exception that you don’t use your pinky finger.The 6/6 layout ( I’ve never played one ) from what I’ve read only has two sets of fingerings for all scales.
You will have to cross over and under on all scales.
You really need to find someone in your area or an area where you plan to visit who has a cross strung so you can get your hands on it. It will take a while to get use to looking at the stings to get use to it. With your piano background I have a feeling you will progress quickly.
Cross stung is a bit more difficult than a single course harp. Having the ability to change keys at will is awesome. But there is a trade off. You can only play glissandos in C major/a minor or in the pentatonic scale. I find single course lever or pedal harp is easier as far as just playing goes. I set the levers or pedals and play flip a lever or pedal for an accidental every now and then. Yes flipping levers and pushing pedals takes planning but I’d rather set the levers or pedals for a piece I’m playing the key of E major and play the F#,C#, G# and D# on the F, C,G, and D strings rather than have to find those strings on the cross stung. I’m not saying it can’t be done because it’s my goal to be comfortable in every key on the cross strung as I am on piano. But with dead lines it’s good to have options. I think the key is to know what the instrument can do and use it to it’s maximum effect.
There is a Yahoo group called Harpers Crossing that deals with all things cross strung
Check them out.
CharlesThe technique is different from a single course harp., Rather that pulling the strings back towards you with your 4,3,and 2 fingers you actually pull the stings out from the middle of the instrument to prevent the strings from banging together. Hand independence really gets tested in the right hand. There are lots of times when you place chords with the 3 finger at the root and 4 finger on the third and the fifth with the 2 or 1.
Janis, you should get the harp with the largest range you can afford.
Blevins and Dusty String make great harps!I finished my Pleyel inspired 7/5 cross strung last October. It diatonic range is 5 octaves.
Robinsons harp shop created my string sets.I’ve been working my way through The Cross-Strung Harp Method by John Metras.
Verlene Schermer has several great books for the cross strung chromatic harp as well. I ordered these books on line from Melody’s music.Unlike a single string band harp ( lever,pedal or wire strung) you’ll have to get comfortable with hand independence. For example if you were playing the F major scale on the cross strung your left hand would reach up to play the B flat but your right hand would have to reach down to play the B flat. Once you get comfortable with the hand shapes and placing fingers out of sequence order you will be off and running!
Not having to flip levers, or deal with moving parts while having all 12 tones in an octave is Awsome!
However, I do enjoy my other harps and I suspect at some point in time you may find yourself adding another harp to your collection.Hope this was of some encouragement and help to you.
Samantha, I too have deal with what I call ice block hands.
My fingers and hands get so cold that it’s physically painful to close my hands.
I’ve found that keeping my body core warm helps. I wear a (knit) cap when I practice and often times do a physical warm up that includes jumping jacks , running in place, a few push ups and squats. It’s a mini work out to get the body temp up, and the heart moving blood around. It also helps me with nerves.Leon, I’m noticing a pattern here with you, another beautiful harp in another beautiful room, are you a designer by chance? I hope you get your stringing situation worked out, it would be a shame to mess up such a nice old harp.
Thanks Leon! I always wanted a blue harp now I have one. I’ll have to show you my Grecian when I get it later this week I’m so excited I’ve not slept much.
