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Thanks, everybody!
I’d love to get the chance to play other harps (especially Camacs and Salvis). I’ve been doing some research and I’m really mainly interested in semi-grands right now. I should however be getting an 85GP (yes, not a semi-grand, but my teacher advised me to stick with the GP). Moving up from the GP in the future, I would be interested in getting a Salvi Orchestra Ex, or Daphne Ex; or possibly a Camac Athena. (I really love that cherry finish!). If we do decide to continue with Lyon and Healy I would probably
Janna,
I once saw a natural harp that the harpist’s relative had painted on. (It was on a website somewhere, I forget where.) It wasn’t completely symmetrical, as opposed to decals, but it was beautiful and really made the rather plain harp beautiful. I believe it was actually a Lyon and Healy but don’t quote me on that…I’m not completely sure. The different finishes on the wood might affect different paint different ways, and I’m not sure what techniques the lady used or anything.
Are you thinking of painting yours? Do keep us posted….
I haven’t met anyone really very famous…I have met Eileen Ivers, who in the world of Irish music is pretty much the epitome. She toured with Riverdance and won the All-Irelands Fiddle Championships nine times in a row. When we saw her in concert, there was so much friction on her electric violin that smoke was literally rising into the cold theatre from her bow. It was wild!
I remember being VERY little and going to a ballet with my younger brother and
As I repeat, I was drawing on MY experiences, offering advice from MY perspective. I wouldn’t play anything without first checking with the patient. I would also never presume to ‘play at’ someone, either. A therapy harpist is not there for themselves, but for others, no matter what venue.
See, that doesn’t even bother me. My family is quite accostomed to asking me questions (Did you eat lunch? Where’s the cat? How do you feel about painting the living room green?) so as long as I speak in rythm (which is most challenging for me in 3/4 time, actually) I’m good.
And actually, I usually let people touch my harp. Not always.
I play piano for some church serivices in nursing homes, so I’m largely drawing on that experience here. The group loves old favorites–I recomend learning “Amazing Grace” and “Jesus Loves Me”. Try asking your church for a hymnal. They’ll probably give you an old one, but that’s not a problem. I have quite a collection of hymnals myself, and draw on them often. “I want to walk as a child of the Light” is another nice hymn.
Classic Celtic is good, too. “Cockles and Mussels”, “Tis the Last Rose of Summer”, and, even though I can’t stand the song myself, “Danny Boy” is a great favorite of many. Though the death connetation may limit it’s hospital usibility.
Also, you could do medleys (I’m still thinking hymns, here). Pick two or three short songs in the same key and play them together. Also some books offer alternate harmonies or descants with the melody, and sometimes I’ll play those as a verse.
Do chordwork. Nothing like a smoothly rolling arpeggio to make someone smile.
Congratulations on starting hospital work. I wish you well.
Another way you can ‘shake up’ the songs are by changing the key on the last verse (if it’s practical).
The term ‘chromatic’ has been cropping up all week (in my life!) and I still don’t know what it means.
Notwithstanding, if you’re looking for a harp to give you more freedom (Sharpsicle’s do seem to be rather limiting) try upgrading to a Salvi Ana or a Lyon&Healy Prelude. Big and they have levers. Or try a small pedal. That gives you the freedom of all keys with the small movement of your feet. Personally, I think a double strung or cross strung harp sounds confusing and slightly painful! Do you have any other reasons for choosing such an different–and
I’m with you, Haha. It’s a pretty valid question, I think, becuase it’s not something people come in contact with every day. I always answer every question as well as I can. And I get the “Led Zep” question EVERY time…can’t people pick a different band for once? Like Kansas? Or Fleetwood Mac? Just to shake it up a little….
(I now have the sudden urge to play “Magnum Opus” or “Songbird”…)
Jennifer,
I used to help out with Kindermusik classes. This sounds kind of similar. There are some short stories out there–I seem to remember something about a “Harp Mouse” that one of my teachers used with her younger students.
You might even want to try teaching them something they know–like “Jesus Loves Me” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. With something radically different like the harp, it helps to give them something they know to base everything off of. Otherwise they just might forget it.
Also, kids love texture and color. That is something that was really big in the Kindermusik. If you have another instrument available to you (guitar, recorder) you can show them and let them feel the comparison.
I’d go on a bit about the string colors, too. People always seem to find that fascinating. Let them count with the strings. Teach them the “music alphabet”.
Thought I’d throw all that out there. Good luck–have fun–take pictures! You’ll want to keep some of those expressions forever!
~Fairy
Love it! Cool! My mom has been freaking out about what spares we should order. Usually my C’s, D’s and F’s break. Good to know!
Hey Haha,
I’m a huge fan of Carol McLaughlin. She is this great pop/jazz/classical harpist with great performance techniques and tons of style. She is the only person legally allowed to play anything by Harpo Marx, plays in Star Wars Episode IV (the bar scene where Luke first meets Han Solo and the aliens are playing in the background) (oh and that is such a funny story).
She’s great but doesn’t have website. Umm, toured extensively, has several cd’s. Arranges a bunch of music and writes some of her own (which is VERY good).
As a performer I really value performance skills. I don’t really like Jan Jennings. Dan Yu isn’t that bad. Very subtle. Amazing harmonics, but actually she made a lot of mistakes when
Hey Rod, been there done that.
When I got my first harp, it came with a complete set of nylon replacements–and no labels. So we got to play the guessing game. We also didn’t know how to change the string. Hello, internet.
Unfortunately, changing a string is like riding a horse: if you have no experience, then someone’s going to get hurt.
I suggest either a) asking your teacher to show you how to tie and change a string or b) ask a sympathetic harpist in your area. It’s easiest if seen done.
Also, when I first changed my first string, since I didn’t know how to do it, we did it
