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If you will not have a harp to practise on for six months, it will be almost impossible to keep improving. You can try to visualize, but there will be no way to build muscle memory. Is there any way you can rent even a very small harp? Practising your music on a keyboard would at least get the notes in your ears. A lot of people play multiple instruments and they don’t get confused. Best of luck!
Dear Balfour,
My daughter tried the harp when she was four, but she ended up as a professional oboist, My son is an architect, though he played trombone in school.
Being pregnant can take all your energy, and then your baby will probably be keeping you up a lot at night. So don’t be too hard on yourself. I had twins, (29 years ago) and I took nine months of maternity leave before I felt ready to go back to work at the symphony. I played my harp for the babies while I was at home, and they loved it! I put them in their “cuddle seats” on either side of the harp and played. It was so cute to see them smiling at me through the strings. Sometimes, they even fell asleep. Bonus! They will be your most non-judgmental, enthusiastic audience. Even if you can take one or two beginner students, that will bring in a bit of money while you are not performing.
When will they get the part for you? It’s not difficult, but the counting can be a bit tricky. The harp part is beautiful, very important and exposed. Ask them if they can get it for you and let you have a look at the score so that you can see what the rest of the orchestra is doing.
Due to illness, I had to cancel my participation in VSOIW this summer. Michelle Gott kindly agreed to take over this session.
Due to illness, I had to cancel my participation for this summer. Michelle Gott kindly took over for me.
I like Nikolas Cadoret very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw4pWa7-JcA
I also love Irish harper Maire ni Chathasaigh and Scottish harper Catriona McKay. These people should really inspire you!I think, musically, it makes much more sense for both glisses to end on the first beat. That is what we have always done, since that is how our parts are printed. And since it is a waltz, the pulse would be on the first beat.
If you are thinking of learning Lucia di Lammermoor, don’t use the Zabel solo arrangement. It is very different from the original part. When you are learning opera parts, listen to recordings as well, because there are many pauses and changes in tempo, which depend on the singer’s and conductor’s interpretation. Many of these places are not marked in the music.
It would not be musically viable to leave out the repeated notes unless they are being replaced by the Salzedo’s version with the doubled E, Fb edit. There have to be six notes in each figure or it doesn’t sound Spanish.
I use an Fb instead of the E at the bottom of the opening chord, to make it easier to reach. I used to double the E with an Fb, (A, E, Fb, A, Fb, E, A) but now I play it as written (A, E, A, A, E, A, chord). I play 421124 in the right hand, then the chord with the left. On the last one, I reach down with the right hand to play the beginning of the upward figure. Some conductors like to reiterate the gliss, the second time softer.
Once you have found the middle of the string, as Saul clarified, try this: don’t touch it with the knuckle yet. Position your thumb on the string you wish to play. The rest of the fingers should be flat in the palm, forming a relaxed fist. The front of the second finger should be at a ninety-degree angle to the exact middle of the same string, with the palm facing the floor. Then, move the fist away from the string about 1/8 of an inch or half a centimetre. Your thumb is still on the string and your fist is poised near the string but not on it. Twist your wrist, bringing the second finger knuckle into contact with the string, playing your harmonic. Now the palm (with the fingers still flat against it) should be facing the strings. This makes a bell-like sound, and works well for the G, A and B at the top of the range of harmonics.
Hi, Samantha! I would send the photo to the harp manufacturer and ask them their opinion. Also, did you have it insured to rent? If so, send the photo to the insurance company so that they have a record of the damage. Did your student know when the damage occurred? Was it dropped, or was it due to cold weather or dryness?
