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Andelin, I too, have issues with squeaky fingers. super annoying. I think it is from frequent hand washing. I believe it is from the natural oils being stripped from the fingers. This sounds crazy, but recently I have found that if I run my fingers through my hair or rub it on my scalp and pick up some of the natural hair oils, it helps cut down on the squeakiness.
I have an Aoyama Orpheus 47 that I bought new 21 years ago. I played on several harps when it came time to purchase one, but I kept coming back to this one and ultimately bought it. I was a harp major and used it for college and continue to use it professionally.
The pros:There is more spacing in the upper octaves than the older L&H models. I do have larger hands/longer fingers. I like that the C tuning pegs are brass,which makes it easy to tune -locate the right peg quickly. There are wheels on the front – to move it easily around on a stage or flat surface instead of dragging it. I live in the pacific NW where it is humid. I play advanced repertoire. I baby it, take care of it and it still looks brand new. I get it regulated when I need to, change strings when it is time, play it frequently and tune it regularly. The neck is NOT warped. I also have not had any parts or pieces ever break or malfunction in the action of my Aoyama.
It certainly does not have the intricate wood carving of a LH23, so I guess that makes it much easier to dust. I do have an L&H Ogden lever harp. My teaching studio at our Community music school has a L&H 30 that is over 35 years old. I still am partial to my Aoyama! I was recently at a harp class and a student had a brand new L&H natural 23. It had a a very dull sound, but it was still quite “green.”Cons: people somehow thinking these are inferior harps. You can get excellent harps from any major pedal harp maker, and you can also get crappy harps. The best recommendation I can give you is to visit as many showrooms as you can and play as many harps as you can. You will soon find what you are drawn to sound wise. Harps are just too expensive to buy without trying.
I love Damase’s harmonies… but they can be tricky pieces. lots of notes! I would listen to his other chamber music pieces as much as possible. It will give you even more insight into his style of writing, harmonic progression, phrasing etc. How quickly do you have to learn the piece? I love his stuff, but it can be meaty.
I use a traditional Korg tuner for the most part, but occasionally I forget to bring it with me when I go down to the music school to teach. I have insTuner Lite app. It works fine for what I need it to do.
For a metronome, when I don’t have a traditional one with me, I use “SilverDial”Great ideas! Just to respond to some of them. I like the swimming idea. My girls are competitive swimmers so we are always at the pool… that would be convenient. My harp is on pergo laminate. My bench is cranked all the way up. I am 6’0″ and the tall height is more comfortable for me. Probably because my legs have more room. I will video tape myself! Thank you everyone, these tips are things I haven’t thought about and will be helpful.
Thank you for your input. I actualy have a private teaching studio and teach at a community music school. It is so easy to observe and tweak things with my students, but not so much with myself. I do like your idea. I think I will get in contact with one of my colleagues and see what kind of input they could give me or what I need to do!
New. I prefer to break in my own harp. If this old harp had not one buzz, rattle, as well as quiet pedals and everything within the action moved flawlessly, I MIGHT consider it. But otherwise, new.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be a good idea for the harp to go to the other home for various reasons. My 11 year old plays violin, I teach harp and piano. I understand the importance of practice. However, there is no way I would allow her to take her violin when she stays over at her dad’s. I know that 1. there is a possibility that it won’t be taken care of 2. It probably won’t be practiced either. Especially when dad is not a musician, can’t read music and has very little interest in what she is doing with violin. So, if that means she only practices 4 days a week, then so be it. Retention is more important in the long run. I don’t want her to quit, so we take what we can. So regarding your student, It may also not be a feasible option to haul the harp back and forth especially if they are renting it. Be encouraging where you can, but also flexible in these situations.
