[jane]

Thank you both!

[jane]

Thanks all for addressing this question–I’ve been wrestling with this pattern for a couple of years, feeling really stuck. Great to hear about new things to try.

[jane]

It’s so hard to decide! I started with a Salvi Aida, but as soon as I heard a L&H Ogden I wanted one…except they’re short and I’m tall, so they were uncomfortable for me to play (even with the legs, which I don’t like anyway.) After much shopping around and research, I got a L&H Lyric: tall, with great sound. But I still have Ogden-envy. 🙂

Bottom line: you have to play them and see what feels right. And whatever you get can be sold if you decide later that it’s not working for you.

Happy harp hunting!

[jane]

Is it possible that the retailer has kept the strings past their usable life? My L&H lever is ten years old and the weather is fine, but the brand-new 3F I put on broke the same day–first time that’s ever happened. (If they weren’t so crazy expensive, I wouldn’t mind so much.)

Thanks to everyone who posted, btw…

[jane]

Thanks for posting this! I’m always looking for interesting new pieces, and happily there are several here I’ve not heard of.
I also like Carol Wood’s Saxon River Suite, although I’m finding her notation hard to follow. Pretty pieces, though, with cool otherworldly harmonics.

[jane]

I often feel like I’m uniquely inept, and this thread reassures me that my difficulties are perfectly normal and to be expected. Thanks to everyone who posted. 🙂

[jane]

You’ve probably got plenty of information here, but for what it’s worth, I really like the full sound of the Ogden. (My teacher bought two for her studio, so I play it for lessons.) It’s not at all hard on the hands; the slightly thicker strings and slightly wider spacing make it in some ways more comfortable to play. For its price range, it’s a wonderful instrument, and you can get a used one on L&H CPO. I would’ve bought one except that I needed something taller. (I’m 5’10”)

I finally found the harp-of-my-dreams, a L&H Lyric, in Boston–and I’m in California. I was nervous about buying something without playing it first, but I Skyped the store and they played it for me–not ideal conditions, but good enough to make a decision.

L&H has fantastic customer service, and they’ve been around forever, so you can easily get strings and parts and information.

I hope you find your perfect harp!

Cheers,
Jane

[jane]

My teacher, who’s a saint (and a harp

[jane]

Hi, Susan~welcome to harplust 🙂

I have pretty chronic depression, which I’m taking meds and occasionally seeing a shrink for, and I started taking harp lessons a little over two years ago. At the time I wasn’t thinking of it as therapy–just getting old, and I already have a sports car :)–but I noticed that practicing for more than 30 minutes or so seemed to make me feel better. Since then I’ve read some

[jane]

Thank you! And happy spring to you both–

[jane]

Thank you! I figured you guys would know. I’ll keep looking (and collecting cans for the deposit money 🙂 )

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