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But except for the deductible (which I assume is fairly low) you wouldn’t have had any out of pocket expenses – that’s why you are paying for insurance, isn’t it?
If you had this accident,I don’t understand why you spent all the money you have earned on a Harpsicle instead of simply calling your insurance company, filing a claim and having the harp fixed by a professional.
If your harp is insured through a musical instrument insurer your coverage most likely includes repair for the damage, shipping to wherever you are getting it fixed AND up to $600.00 per month to pay for a new rental harp while yours is being fixed.
Dear Sherry,
A little word of encouragement here. I understand you are frustrated because you are unable to purchase an instrument but you should remember your blessings as well and not get caught up in the disappointment.
The fact that you are renting a concert grand pedal harp is a tremendous thing when you consider how many harpists are unable to have any type of harp in their home – you are very lucky. Keep working toward your goal and one day you will have your harp.
My Dear Dwyn,
First of all, we are not speaking of skill level as that is not relevant to the discussion and has no bearing on what people are willing to pay for you anyway.
Secondly, your shoe analogy doesn’t make sense because… everyone buys shoes. Economic theories notwithstanding, harpists have always been a niche market within a niche market – unique.
Thirdly, your comment that a harpist playing a low paying gig may help create demand for more harpists is completely erroneous as this is exactly what is driving down the market. Once the price goes down your perceived value drops and the price will never go up again.
Let’s look at a wedding and make a comparative analysis. Consider what is being paid for the gown, the venue, cake, food, flowers, photos, entertainment etc. against what you, the musician, are being paid assuming you are collecting your regular fee.
The musician is almost always the lowest paid item in the budget, yet people will fork over unbelievable sums for almost everything else. Why is this? The answer is: Perceived Value.
Somehow, the cake has become the star attraction at receptions and is displayed as a work of art – brilliant, huh? Perceived Value
DJ’s have now been elevated to celebrity status and can rake in tremendous fees, why? Perceived Value.
The illustrations are endless.
You paint broad strokes of the laws of economics but fail to realize that we are the fine print. We exist in a micromarket and, as such, are subject to the effect of each ripple created in our tiny pond.
Don’t you think that education starts with the musician? Everyone complains about low pay yet there is always someone willing to take the job.
Why make a fuss if you’re going to take a two hour job for $75.00 and then try and justify this by saying you need the money or you are a student. No matter what the excuse or supposed mitigating circumstances, it is this behavior that has been a major contributing factor to the public perception of what a musician is worth.
Quite simply, if you are being payed less, it is because you have agreed to work for less.
Tanna,
Considering the challenges you are facing with your mother’s health, it appears that finding a lighter strung acoustic harp would be a much better option than trying to deal with an electric harp.
Both the Silhouette and the DHC Blue Light, while at fist glance seem wonderfully portable, require a separate stand and amplification which would certainly impact your mobility. I also wouldn’t think the “electric” sound of the Silhouette or the DHC would be nearly as satisfying as an acoustic harp.
In addition, dealing with the reliability and maintenance of electronics can take you down a road you never wished to go.
Weighing these issues against the retail price points of both these harps would indicate that an acoustic harp seems a much better investment.
Best wishes,
Evelyn
Her philosophy is that I pay her to learn things, and that polishing is not learning – I can polish on my own.
That’s an interesting philosophy. I’m happy my physician’s teacher didn’t have that same philosophy!
I have finally had to put my foot down about unwanted hands touching my harp. Because it was getting completely out of control I’ve grown eyes all around my head so I can usually head them off at the pass.
For those who slip through the gate, I inform them kindly and professionally that they should never touch a musician’s valuable instrument without their permission. Nine times out of ten, while spoken to the kids, it is directed at the adults. They generally get the hint and go away.
I’ve grown so weary of people standing around in groups literally shoving their i-phones and cameras in my face, filming and taking photos and following me around without even having the courtesy to ask if I mind.
I have started telling these people that my image is copyrighted and that they must pay me a $5.00 royalty to take my photo, film me, or use my harp as a prop. You should see the looks on their faces! Most of them just leave, but I’ve actually had people fork over the $5.
