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I played a reception a few years ago where a father was encouraging his young child to touch the harp. The boy was about 6 and his dad kept saying, “Go ahead, you can touch it.” and I replied,”No, I’m sorry he can’t.” The dad kept it up egging the kid on so finally the boy walked up and said,”My daddy says I can play your harp.” So, I replied,” Go ask your daddy for his car keys first.” The boy ran back to his dad and the father handed him the keys, which were for a Mercedes. The boy ran back to me and handed them to me and I said, “No these aren’t for me, if your daddy thinks you can play the harp, then he obviously trusts you, so I am sure he will let you drive his car around the block and when you get back, you can play the harp.” The expression on the dad’s face was priceless. That ended it.
There is on version that is edited incorrectly. I had it last summer and since I have played the piece a million times I realized the number of measures resting was wrong. I corrected it in the part but this particular version the conductor had a reduced score so when I mentioned it to him, he had no idea when I was to come in anyway…..So, keep an eye out for that.
I think International Music in NY is the only place you can rent it from. Last time I saw the parts, they were very fragile and tissue paper thin. Something must have been done since it was used for the USA International Comp in Bloomington… maybe IU has the parts as well?
I live in a beach community and have many beach weddings to play each summer. I have a clause in my contract requiring 2 sober men ( seriously) to carry the harp to and from the beach location, as well as requiring a solid, flat, level surface 4×5. I have L&H 15 I use on the beach that I have sealed the bottom with plastic to keep the sand out. So far it has worked well.
Tracey,
I brought an Insight home and put and 15 in it. I don’t know about the Fit, It seems tight. I have a student who put a pedal harp in the Chevy Aveo hatchback.I recommend Michael Santucci at Sensaphonics in Chicago. He does most of the in ear monitors for the rock industry and also the custom ear molds. Kreig is about right with the price. He does a full spectrum hearing test before he takes the molds. If you aren’t near Chicago, he has satellite locations that can take the molds and send them in. Worth every penny. I thought I would lose mine but I have managed to take care of them.
Jim Beckel was my trombone teacher in college. A great guy! His harp parts are usually not very challenging. He generally has the harp double the bells or xylo, his glisses are spelled out, and occasionally he has fast passages that are rhythmic and repetitive so once you learn the pattern, you are set. I have never played the Toccata but I have played many of his other works. They are very brass oriented and if there has been a “solo” it generally consists of arpeggiated 8th notes that fall naturally in the fingers.
I hope this helps.For the record, the Subaru doesn’t have to die when the head gasket goes. I just had mine changed for the 2nd time ( 240,000 miles) it is far less expensive than a new car…like $1200 vs $23,0000. Minor inconvenience.
Thanks Pete. My thoughts exactly. I recommend the Chicago to my adult students who want a pedal harp but never plan to perform outside of their living room. It is affordable and sounds fine in that setting. As a concert harp? I am not sure L&H would even recommend it.
Carol.
I am sorry to hear about this. My ex husband and I dated for 5 years while I was in undergrad and grad school as a harp performance major. My career choice was not a surprise, and for a while he supported my choices.At the 7 year mark in the marriage he decided he was not happy. His business was successful but unbeknownst to me, he was spending money like crazy and ringing up credit card debt. When he had to pay me my paycheck ( my income was run through the business) he was resentful of every penny. I became a drain, I was told to go get a real job, one with insurance and benefits. Nevermind that he would not get a job with insurance, I was told it was my responsibility because he should get to do what he wanted for a living.
I walked on eggshells whenever he was home. Nothing I did was right. We moved, he bought a new building for his business, he bought a new car, new computer, new phone….he finally dropped the bomb: He changed everything in his life but me, so I was the problem. He wanted out.
Onita,
Thank you for your response. You put into words the what I have been feeling. I agree with you and it makes sense that the high end brides aren’t “hands on” but hire a wedding planner. I have found myself dealing more and more with wedding planners the past few years. I still have the brides who have ultimate control but many of them are relying on the advice of seasoned planners.I have also since found out that this particular wedding show is wooing many vendors in my area and quoting some outrageous prices for advertising and booth space. Amazing.
Thanks for checking in a commenting, I value your opinion because I know you have the experience to back it!
Meg
