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interesting Patricia, that one of the last areas of the brain affected in Alzheimer’s is music. If the pathways to remember songs are more ingrained in our memory, then maybe playing an instrument does combat memory loss (to some extent). I know it’s a stretch, but unfortunately I am not one of the scientist/musicians that could actually do a study to see if there’s any positive effect of playing an instrument, especially one as memory intensive as the harp. Although I found cello very memory intensive too but in a different way (recalling where each note lies without frets), and probably all musical instruments involve memory so I would assume any positive benefit would apply to playing any instrument seriously and regularly over time.
Sylvia, I’ve grown quite lax and like my sparse lever harp music without ‘all those notes’. Figuring out the timing feels like math to me (not my favorite subject).
I think I was off-base with math and music, it seems like math trying to work out the timing with both hands doing different very intricate things.
Sounds like people who love science usually also love music but people who love music don’t always like science. Science studies life and music expresses it (non-verbally).
Peggy, nice play on words! What a great bunch of cars, I mean harps to be thankful for!
Alison, What a great artistic achievement for your grandfather to be remembered by.
If your banjo is a VW, your Troubador is like a black vintage corvette (with tinted windows for that air of mystery.).
I’ve come to the conclusion she was referring to phrasing and emphasis and not adjusting the timing of the triplet and dotted eighth. It adds some interesting syncopation.
Do not necessarily go with the most sensible or better value. It sounds like you like a resonant harp with a longer sustain. You can still play the faster jigs and reels on this type of harp, although I find I tend to play faster in the Aziliz because of its ease and shorter sustain, I enjoy hearing the resonance and the bigger bass sound and flexibility of the larger more resonant Amberdeen. Go with your heart.
Also forgot to mention, it’s not just the tone that’s important, harps have very different shapes, styles, and feel completely different from each other. For example you may prefer the smooth ride of a Cadillac but a VW may be more fun to drive.
It would be hard to go a few years with 26 strings. I started with 30 strings and after a year and a half I needed to get another harp to play the tunes I wanted and really missed the bass. I agree you will get a better harp for the money in France on a camac than a dusty. I would be hard pressed to choose between them, I have a Rees Aberdeen and an Aziliz. The Rees is similar to the dusty in a lot of ways, but I play almost all traditional and the Aziliz has such a lovely sound, feel and size. It seems more effortless to play. The bigger harps have a stronger bass, dusty’s are famous for that, very resonant. I heard the Hermines vary a lot from each other in tone, so if you have the opportunity, have someone play a few of them for you.
The Aziliz is small enough to take out into nature, maybe a little to big for up a mountain, but it does offer full range.
Usually it’s the lower strings that are most needed when you don’t have 2 full octaves below middle c.
Thank you Patricia! I think I would really enjoy a subscription to folk harp journal, and this is a good excuse to subscribe and for the encouragement to keep trying to find a teacher that specializes in folk. I thought skype did not work well for lessons due to delays but it sounds like that has changed. I will start with Kate Smith. I’ve self taught for so long it will be a huge adjustment to change bad habits and work on assignments rather than what I want, but I do need someone to show properly how it’s done.
I was hung up on gut strings for years until I came to terms that the type of music I like to play best, traditional, sounds better and is easier to play faster and ornamentation with the brighter and lighter tension of nylon and alliance. The resonance of the wood of the harp is what I’m after. Personal opinion only, but really that’s all it is anyway, is what YOU like best. Besides I’d rather touch plastic than sheep innards (no offense).
Lyn, so happy you shared your daughters strength, courage and victories. It sounds like we’ve been on like paths with the cancer treatments in 2013 and hoping the worst is behind us. We are looking forward to 2014 as well! She must be a really amazing person to be able to pick herself up and find a job without being consumed by this struggle. You must be a great Mom to have raised such a brave soul.
hi Christie, I did not have the artwork custom done on my harp, I have the original owner to thank for that. Usually when buying a harp I’m more interested in the quality of the harp and look for natural finishes because they usually use better wood and I like the look of the wood best. I like the way ‘flamed’ wood looks. However, I have seen some stunning ebony harps and the gold trim sounds elegant. If the decorations are tastefully done it should not hurt resale value, harps that are unique have a personal quality and its a plus that they don’t look like they’ve been made in a factory to look like every other harp of that model. Besides it would be sad to have a custom harp made and already be contemplating selling it! It should please and suit YOU. When you hold it, it should look and feel like part of you. The type of decorations I like are carving, abalone along the soundboard and hand painted soundboards. Here’s a picture of the doves and vines on my Rees Aberdeen.
I am very pleased with my new (to me) Rees Aberdeen. I have to respect the artistry and musicianship of anyone who can make a harp this lovely to look at, hold and play. It has already given me much joy and will be a blessing for years to come. Internet and forums de-personalize and sometimes we forget there are PEOPLE behind the words, misunderstandings happen and context not understood. Misunderstandings happen without the Internet.. I’m happy that it didn’t influence my harp choice and I hope there are no hard feelings.
