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I have levers so I’ll probably take this advice.
Unfortunately I don’t have a piano or access to one. If my harp is badly out of tune and I’m still kind of an amateur, what’s the best way to doublecheck that my harp is tuned correctly? Is there a way to compare my harp against correctly tuned notes online?
I’m an art teacher. Currently in my 2nd year of both teaching and harp (I needed a grown-up job before I could afford it).
Thanks guys, I ended up going with the Ravenna, especially after I tried plucking a few strings on the Sharpsicles and noticed how loose the strings felt! The Ravenna has a beautiful sound. The size is perfect for my apartment but it doesn’t feel too different from the Ogden, so I think it’s going to be an OK transition.
I actually rented an Ogden for 8 months and ended up returning it due to the string breakage. I was surprised and assumed that it was my own amateur status that was causing so many strings to break, but, like you, most of them were breaking from the bottom and I was trying to do everything to take care of it properly. All of the breaks happened when I wasn’t playing it, most of them overnight. All of the breaks were at the bottom.
It was unfortunate as I also lost a good part of my security deposit to string replacement. It’s a beautiful sounding harp, but I would not be surprised to learn that at least some of them have a major defect.
I’m not the OP, but I’m looking to purchase a Sharpsicle or a Flatsicle as well – when you say fully levered Harpsicle, do you mean a Fullsicle? If you want to discuss it, my email is bubblewrap@gmail.com.
Woops, replied to the wrong one.
I think that part of what made it difficult is that at 5’4, it’s hard for me to get up stairs or maneuver around obstacles because the bottom of the harp bag ends up around my mid-shin. So I can’t lift the bag up and over steep stairs very easily (like when I get on a train) or over seats if I need room to pivot. Mostly what worries me is the pivoting (it reminds of physical comedy where people try to turn with a two-by-four on their shoulder and end up smashing into things). Maybe it’s just something I need to get used to, I’m just super terrified because of how expensive it is and the fact that I’m just renting.
I’m not really sure if she has a harp or not for me to use. I’ll probably find out way more about this during our first lesson. I do know that she said I definitely wouldn’t need to bring the harp to each and every lesson.
I realized after posting this that I could probably take the elevators (not sure of where the elevators are, but they must exist). I’m also fairly worried about super crowded train cars. But if my lessons are on Saturdays, hopefully it won’t be too bad.
Hi Carl
Apparently the Harp Connection does still rent harps (I’ve been emailing back and forth with them over the past week). I’m looking into their “rent to buy” program for an Lyon and Healy “Ogden”.
I have no idea of the availability of other harps, though.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their wonderful advice. This really
is a very warm community! I’m looking into everything that was
mentioned here about contacting local harpers/harpists. I’m also
looking into contacting local teachers to see if I could do lessons in
order to learn how to play and use a harp. It also occured to me that I
should probably look into whether or not the Colleges in the area have
harps I might be able to practice on.If I do buy a harp and I can’t find one kicking around, I might just by
a Harpsicle with Christmas money + savings. It would serve my purposes
for now and when I start teaching full-time next September (and will be
making more than triple what I make now!), I’ll probably skip ahead to
a used Belvin or Stoney End, rather than go without a harp for 6 months
just so I can save up for something on my current measly pay check. If
anyone knows of any great listings where I might even stumble upon a
used Harpsicle, that would be great!I’ve checked out Harpconnection.com and unfortunately, it seems that
the cheapest you can rent for is $50 a month plus a $125 security
deposit. I honestly only make a little shy of $1000 a month “working”
full-time for Americorps. I was planning to just use christmas money to
buy a very cheap starter harp, or rent at a low enough amount that I
could stretch my christmas money over several months. I couldn’t even
afford one month with Harpconnection.com if the security deposit were
that high.Thanks for the suggestion though!
I’ve checked out Harpconnection.com and unfortunately, it seems that the cheapest you can rent for is $50 a month plus a $125 security deposit. I honestly only make a little shy of $1000 a month “working” full-time for Americorps. I was planning to just use christmas money to buy a very cheap starter harp, or rent at a low enough amount that I could stretch my christmas money over several months. I couldn’t even afford one month with Harpconnection.com if the security deposit were that high.
Thanks for the suggestion though!
