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By bringing a friend, I should have been more clear, as I am actually too young to drive on my own, I have to bring a friend or family member! It also makes loading the harp much easier, but I can see how not everyone would have this advantage.
My family has got it pretty much to a science–but what we do is we have something on the ground for the harp to rest on (we use heavy door mats) and then, with large pedal harps, we lean the harp against the bumper of the car (leverage!)
Ok, based on my experience:
1) Word of mouth. But if you’re really serious, print up a bunch of business cards and meet with as many churches and wedding chapels as you can.
2) Prepare for anything. When I played at my first wedding, everyone got all messed up and the songs got out of order–at the rehearsal everything was lovely but at the service, they appeared to expect me to play “Nearer My God to Thee” for about ten minutes straight. I’d prepare more than one version of each song–even if you’re ‘supposed’ to play two verses, prepare about four variations so it doesn’t get boring. (Chords, intervals, octaves higher/lower, etc.)
3) I prepare the ‘traditional’ bits: the Bridal March from “Lohengrin” (Here Comes the Bride), Pachelbel’s Canon, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Ave Maria, and some attendent’s pieces, like Trumpet Voluntary. The bride’s favorite hymns are excellent for church services. I would stick to mainly classical (and classical sounding. For instance, Susan McDonald’s recital book series is quite useful) for a church service. However, I like to keep old love songs in my repertoire, just in case I ever need them. My piano teacher advises ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’, “Love Story”, and the theme from Romeo and Juliet. (For actual concrete book ideas, try “Serenade for the Soul” by Rhett Barnwell–all very soothing moderate pieces).
4) Bring a friend. The guests are quite helpful and all, but they tend to be more enthusiastic than actually helpful.
I’ve seen tons of movies with harps, and plenty aren’t period movies. “Shanghai Knights” has a harp in a hotel scene that looks like a gilded Apollo. There is a harpist in “The Princess Diaries”, sightings in “Home Alone: Lost in New York”, “Sleepless in Seattle” (I think that’s a Troubabdour), and “Mr. Destiny” (definitely a foreign harp, I think one of the German ones). I think ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Portrait of Jennie’
I thought he had two arrangments: one original, and one traditional.
Anyway, Michelle, I suppose that is something else to look out for. But seriously, that song is everywhere.
Ok–I know nothing about this piece and don’t pretend to–but maybe you could transpose the piece into a different key to make it easier to play. It may be too difficult for that kind of thing–but it is an idea.
‘Ave Maria’ is probably one of the best known songs ever–it is EVERYWHERE! Seriously. Go to a bookstore–Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, etc., and they will have a music section. Look for a wedding book, check to make sure it has Ave Maria (if it doesn’t I’d be SHOCKED) and BUY it. Chances are good you’re going to need it again. Some classical anthologies may also have it.
I don’t actually even PLAY the piece and I have at least two versions.
If you are picky and want a harp arrangment, get it airmailed from a harp center or a music store. Rhett Barnwell does a nice arrangment, and I’m sure there are other versions also.
Good luck. And I am sure you will find it somehwere.
When I show people my harp–they always seem to like glissandos, arpeggios, rolling chords. And I agree, “real” music makes a big hit. Everyone like Amazing Grace, and a couple of other big hits are Danny Boy (bleah), Moon River, and Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. Greensleeves is good, but EVERYONE plays that.
Now I want to here ‘Tambourin’ by Daquin. Haven’t heard that one!
I have never heard a Paraguayan harp or seen one up close, but from some harp research I do know that:
The are kind of an elongated shape, unlike most small harps. They kind of reminded me more of the old European harps in their shape (from the pictures I have seen).
Also, instead of a regular harp tuning pin, they have guitar-like tuning pins.
I do not know if they have levers, or what kind of strings they use, or anything. You’d probably want to look into that, too.
Best wishes!–Fairy
I’m so happy Camac fixed their website! Though I’m going nuts over lack of price list. How much is that gorgeous Elysee? Anyone know? Nobody carries it…at least, not that I could find. And I love that ‘curly-wurly vine’, definitely!
