MallyG

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  • in reply to: Help! I'm the worst sight-reader ever… #185601
    MallyG
    Member

    I am entirely self taught on a number of folk instruments, and I play purely for pleasure. I learnt from listening to experts, firstly by copying, then developing my own voice, and taking advice as required when I reached a technical obstacle. I refer to written music as a last resort, it’s like a foreign language. I use a kind of tablature to remind me of arrangements I like.
    I have two comments about sight reading:
    1) People who can/do often say to me that they feel they lack freedom to do what they want, and they envy the way I carry my repertoire around in my head.
    2) I arrange all my own folk tunes; some aren’t available as sheet music anyway. This is immensely satisfying.
    Sight-reading snobs will usually grudgingly admit we illiterates have a point, you just have to have the confidence to defend your position – it is equally valid!

    in reply to: Strings for a better tone #185600
    MallyG
    Member

    I just thought I would offer an update. I have tried various strings to achieve a better tone and tension, most have failed! However, some worked…..
    1) I was able to replace the C5 and D5 with wire wound strings, without the harp cracking up – and they sound great, tone and tension much better. I used guitar A strings, as I didn’t want to waste too much money on just an experiment.
    2) The E5 (D guitar string) kept snapping no matter what kind I used (low tension, hard tension etc). So
    3) I replaced the E5 and F4 with hard nylon harp strings, and there is a noticeable improvement.
    I have found the bottom line to be that, as you suggested, it’s worth having a go, BUT, the final limitation is the woodwork, and I can do nothing about that!

    in reply to: Strings for a better tone #185139
    MallyG
    Member

    Thanks for the quick, informative and measured replies. The harp is of Pakistani origin, very cheap! A present from my wife, ‘cus I’d been harping on about getting one. The strings are indeed nylon, and of poor quality (like $75/£50 a set). None are wound and the soundboard is laminated (three sections). The range is C1 to C5. I think your advice is to proceed, but slowly and cautiously, perhaps with a thicker string to start with, before trying nylon wound…..
    Thanks again

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