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Is there a way I can email Leila or Elizabeth through Harp Column here to see if I can get a copy of the part? I’d really love another harpists thoughts on edits!
I’ve always used the same harp part regardless. If you practice with a YouTube video you can get used to hearing where the male voices are featured.
Well, I’ve now had the response of two other wedding venues and one even offered to link to my website, with no mention of kickbacks, so maybe the one place is something of a fluke. I’m in NE Washington (Spokane area).
I’ve played weddings for a number of years now, and I charge $275 per wedding which is the going rate for my area. I add on for mileage, attending rehearsal etc. I guess since Harp Column has a “going rate” for Ceremony of Carols for each region when they do their surveys, I’m wondering what that base rate represents.
Thanks everyone! I never realized that loading a harp base first was an option, so I’ll have to play around with that. Interesting notes about column loading too….it has at least given me some ideas to get started with as I look!
Sorry, I probably should have more correctly said 3 or more passengers. I’m expecting now so I’ll be needing a vehicle that can take me, DH, baby and harp if needed!
I ended up purchasing a Toyota Matrix for my Lyon and Healy 85E (46 strings). It fits in beautifully! Even though it is a small car, I really don’t have to angle the harp much, and there is plenty of room next to it for the dolly, string bag, etc. The seats fold down much flatter than a Subaru, so I think that makes the difference.
I second asking for a piano part instead of a flute part – you’ll never be heard and the flutes already have it covered! I also like to improvise off the chord symbols.
The harp is actually similar to the hammered dulcimer in a lot of ways, and the hammered dulcimer parts I’ve played on the harp work fairly well. Usually it is written on one line, so I go through and divide it up between two hands.
If you want to play something for the kids, learn the theme from Beauty and the Beast. I’m always amazed how many kids recognize it when I’m just playing background music at a gig!
I just found the old thread where you a discussed harp cars! (For some reason it didn’t come up in my initial search…)
I have a question for those who have owned a Matrix…did the rim on the back where the door closes bother you? Both the Taurus and the Subaru I’ve used were flat back there, so I could just slide the harp in. It seems like that ridge would make things more difficult, unless I got a mattress or something to slide it on.
Unfortunately minivans seem like “mom cars” to me, and since I’m in my twenties and don’t have kids I’m not ready to represent myself that way. Maybe it is purely my own problem, but I can’t help feeling that way. 😉
Thanks for everyone’s replies so far, keep them coming!
I have a 41 string Aoyama Etude and really like it! It is from the 1980’s and it has a lovely warm sound and has held up well through all the places I’ve hauled it. I am in a wetter climate, but no one I know around here has warping issues. The Orpheus is probably their “budget” model right now, I’m told that the Vega or the Delphi would be better choices if I want to buy a larger one.
I usually get 50% down and ask for the rest at the event. I’ve had one wedding where the check bounced. After several calls and email which weren’t returned and appointment was made to bring out cash, but wasn’t kept. More calls, emails and letters were not responded too, so I decided to chalk it up as a bad experience. At least I had 50%! I partly faulted myself, since the check got tucked in the wrong pocket and was not deposited until a couple of months after the wedding.
