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Congratulations! You’re going to love your Ravenna 34. I can’t say enough good things about mine. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
It’s in Asheville, North Carolina, the last weekend in October.
http://www.southeasternharps.com/SEHW/Home.html
I know the organizer has posted it to the Harp Column calendar, but it may be too early for it to be up yet.
Alfredo Rolando Ortiz and Maeve Gilchrist will be there teaching and performing this year!!I understand your frustration because I too love playing classical music!
I don’t know what your budget is, but if it’s small, I enthusiastically second the trade-up program with Lyon and Healy. That way you can make the progress with the music you want with a fully-levered harp while you save for a pedal harp. I have a Ravenna 34 and I know just what you mean about 26 strings and
partial levers creating limitations in classical music – those extra
bass strings make a big difference! and so do full levers!
There are books and books of classical music arranged for both pedalWhat an excellent idea. Indeed, I have many “sources” of potential materials! I’ll be sorting through it all with that in mind, George, thanks so much!
I wouldn’t worry about doing that unless you’re checking the harp as baggage and/or travelling quite a great distance. That’s usually done when people have to ship harps, or when the climate is going to change or differ drastically between origin and destination
I have travelled by train with my Christina, which is around the same size, between Quebec City and Montreal. I didn’t check it and would definitely advise you not check yours unless it is unavoidable. It’s always better that you handle your own harp. Trains are usually good on room. I take mine on subways and buses, too.
Just be mindful and cautious of yourself and others. Sometimes folks are lost in their thoughts and swinging bags around. The side with the levers is more delicate than the side with the pins, so keep the lever side towards you.
And, if you like, either have a few pieces ready or some sheet music to play – small harps in particular really delight people, and someone is bound to ask you to play! You may enjoy benefits such as tips, drinks, snacks, memorabilia or a free ride in the vibrating massage chair
Kate and Michael, thank you both SO MUCH! All of this information is a huge help, especially in terms of the supplies I’ll need.
I am heartened and inspired
HannahI have this harp and I do like the sustain very much, but it’s definitely not always desirable. I am working on a number of Christmas pieces for church this year and know just what you mean about the sound running together.
A lot of times I have to stop strings going in using my knuckle or fingertip before playing the next note. It works as long as I use a firm, frank touch – if you’re hesitant, those bass strings will keep ringing, buzz or sound a harmonic if you’re in the right spot.. Yes, you can play more softly sometimes, but it’s better to have the control of learning a few ways to silence your strings individually. I suggest you ask your teacher – or a guitarist friend – to show you some muffling tricks if you like the harp in every other way.Almost all of my neigbours love hearing the harp, indoors and out, and say so regularly. One neighbour likes that the harp put her cats to sleep and the other says that the harp calms her dog down.
Had a bad experience the other night with a girl across the way though. We share an alleyway, but I’ve never seen her. She is definitely not a “quiet type” (i.e. entertains frequently, and most definitely puts on music to listen to outside – not that I mind that one bit, myself).
I was playing outside about 4:30 p.m. (I know people may not care for harp dinnertime music so I try to do it between 4 and 5 if I play outside)I have a Ravenna 34 which I love with all of my heart, and a harper friend of mine has a Stoney End Lorraine.
The Stoney End sounds brighter, while my Ravenna sounds warmer and darker. The Ravenna also resonates a lot more, which means for some pieces you will have to do more damping, but the effect is very dramatic indeed.
Getting around with my Ravenna is easier because of the drop down leg; she has to take the legs on and off her Lorraine. However, in the case the Lorraine feels a little bit lighter (this could just be in regards to bulk).
They are both excellent harps! I think her Lorraine sounds very ethereal.I happened upon some photos of the Mid East harp factory in Pakistan posted on this Swedish harp shop’s Web site and thought I’d post here:
http://www.folkharpa.se/making.htmlFiona, it will be worth your savings a thousand times over. I had to save up for my Ravenna 34 too and when she came home it was the happiest day of my life!
I actually wanted that harp so bad that I quit smoking to get it! The money started piling up a lot quicker after that, let me tell you Hopefully I’ll also have a longer, healthier life to enjoy her. You’re right, the simplest tunes sound amazing on a Ravenna 34 because the sound is so majestic. I hope yours can come home in the very near future!I got Sylvia Woods’ 50 Christmas Carols for All Harps this fall and I love it, love it, love it! It’s one of her series with an easy version and a hard version of each piece. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It has practically everything I could ever want and even though I’m a beginner, I can play all of the easy versions, and it’s nice to have more complex versions to work on later on when I’ve progressed.
http://www.harpcenter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=SWHC&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=5225Z
