Miriam Shilling

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  • in reply to: choosing a harp – prelude 40 or dusty strings? #255577
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Hi wil,
    Perhaps it was just my Prelude. I bought it when the 40 first came out because L&H had a nice sale. If they’ve improved their levers, that’s terrific!
    Cheers,

    in reply to: choosing a harp – prelude 40 or dusty strings? #255573
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Hello. I bought a Prelude 40 some years ago, but replaced it with a Dusty Strings because the Prelude’s levers were terrible. I had to use elastic bands to keep them in the up position, which did not work for me since I play a lot of lever-heavy music (I gig with my lever harp). My Dusty Strings has much better levers, and I am happy with the sound of the harp, as well. Good luck!

    in reply to: Electric harp car?!?! #237350
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Hi. I don’t have any knowledge of electric cars, but after my old truck finally died, I wanted to drive a stick shift with better gas mileage. I am now driving a Kia Soul. My 46-string Venus pedal harp fits…just barely. I do have to load it the “wrong” way, though, so I pad it well to keep the pins from breaking off. So, perhaps this is not a recommended harp car, but, if you also wish to drive something smaller, I’m just letting you know it is possible.

    in reply to: Cross Country drive with Pedal Harp…. #225490
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Tanya, no, I did not loosen my strings. I left them as is.

    in reply to: Cross Country drive with Pedal Harp…. #225154
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Hi there. I’ve traveled on several occasions with my pedal harp in the back of my car (I live in NM and my family is in NY). On longer visits east, I like to have my harp with me. Summers and winters make me more nervous than the more moderate weather of spring and fall, but my harp has survived all trips with nothing more than the occasional broken string. I only have my harp in its usual soft cover. Here are a few hints garnered from my own experience. Traveling with a harp is almost like traveling with a big dog! 🙂 If you stop for a meal or a break, always keep the outside temperature in mind. Try to park in the shade and crack the windows if it’s hot. If it’s really cold outside, you might want to bring a spare car key so you can leave your engine on and your heat running for the few minutes you’re away from your car. Unless the temperature is very moderate, I tend to grab food to go and eat in the car. This is a bit inconvenient, but I bring my harp into the hotel room with me each night. I usually stay in cheap-o motels, so that always gives the desk attendant a laugh. A few more hints. On really cold trips, I cover my harp with a blanket to keep out drafts, especially down at the feet. On hot days, I cover the harp with a light-colored blanket so it reflects the sun and won’t get so warm. Use your heat or air-conditioning to keep yourself comfortable, and your harp probably will be. Good luck, and happy travels!

    • This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by Miriam Shilling. Reason: Adding information
    in reply to: Lever that flattens instead of sharpens #224783
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Truly, this is impossible. I would suggest that you look up harpists in your area to see if there is one who might come with you to look at this harp. You might have to pay for her time, but I think it would be worth it. Also, to get her opinion on the rest of the harp. It’s always good to have an experienced eye before making a large purchase like this. Good luck to you!

    in reply to: Lever harp stand #220636
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Veronika, if it’s of any help, the legs on my FH26, less than three years old, are a bit over 11 1/2 inches long.

    in reply to: Lever harp stand #220591
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Hi Veronika, How about using a lower bench? I have an adjustable one which I use for both my pedal harp and FH26. Best wishes to you. Miriam

    in reply to: Rental Harp with No Harp Key? #211771
    Miriam Shilling
    Participant

    Nicollette, when I was doing research for one of my students, I found two harps which were being offered for sale without tuning keys. That definitely seemed fishy to me. As a first step, try contacting the person your daughter is renting her harp from and ask if perhaps he/she forgot to include the tuning key. If there is no tuning key, ask how they were tuning the harp. Unfortunately, you have already rented the harp. Normally, if the answer is, “I have not been tuning the harp,” I stay far away from that instrument. It’s probably been neglected. I wish I could be more helpful as far as where to obtain a key without paying for one, but, hopefully, someone else will comment on your post, too.

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