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I know exactly what you mean. My Dad has spent hours looking at many mics which he thought might be good for the Harp. The choice seems almost endless. In the end he still couldn’t decide and has yet to ‘Click’ the buy button.
Niina
Hi Philipa
I have 1 and a half hours per week with Gabriella (occasionally with Marie Leenhardt when Gabriella is busy), plus we all do a harp class together once a week. To be honest, I have to concentrate on everything each day. I do about 2 hours of exercises and technique a day during the weekends and 1 during a school day, then I just practise all the pieces, trying to get through them all each day. That’s on top of my piano lessons and practise and my Paraguayan Arpa practise!!
Niina
Hi Jerusha
Well I have just started half term holiday from school until March 12th. On Thursday we did Spring Cantata and The Bells at the Royal Festival Hall in London with The Bach Choir. Now that that is all over I can do 5 or 6 hours a day during the holiday, and I will do about 3-4 a day when I go back to school.
Everyone at Chets has to practise at least 3 hours a day.
Niina
Hi Jerusha
On my stand at the moment are:
For a Concert next month:
Glinka-Variations on a Theme of Mozart
Glinka-Nocturne
Naderman-Prelude & Sonatina no. 7
David Watkins-Firedance
Ibert-Scherzetto
For an assessment this month:
Dizi-Etude no.7
Tchaikovsky Swanlake Cadenza
For an Ensemble this month:
John Marson-Arcadian Sketches (Clarinet & Harp)
Niina
Hi Anne
I had a go at it a year ago and just used the piano music score, it seems to work well, although my skill isn’t (or wasn’t) good enough to get the trills right.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2wCs_Zxi38&list=UUdyyCdLfv_GQAI5BtfrOQbg&index=3&feature=plcp
Niina
When I started reading your comment Kay, I was getting ready to go onto BBC iPlayer to check it out, until I saw the amounts in dollars and the date of your comment. Then I realised that America must now have an Antiques Roadshow as well. I would have loved to see that Harp.
The first pedal Harp I had was my my teacher’s 120 year old Erard.Hi Gretchen
Regarding my previous comment about the Aurora. Salvi did make a few new ‘Prototype’ Aurora which apparently sounded wonderful (some say better than the Apollo). For some reason they seem to have abandoned this idea in favour of putting the Arianna soundboard onto the Diana, as they think the Diana needs a bit more oomph. Why they didn’t just improve both the Aurora AND the Diana, I don’t know. They said the new Aurora would have cost the same as now.
Niina
I had never heard of Beta Blockers until I read this blog. They seem to be a drug for Heart problems that have been adopted by some Actors, public speakers and Musicians to reduce stage fright. I read up a bit on them and also the list of side effects; which is as long as my arm. Very scary. Personally I would never put drugs in my body before a performance, but I’m certainly not judging anyone who does, as we all have to deal with nerves in our own way.
As for the Bach flower remedies; I do use them a lot, and for me (although I don’t use them when playing music), they really work. They have no side effects, unless you are allergic to tiny amounts of alcohol. My parents know a lot about them as they have been selling them to Japan for 10 years. They never sell the Nelson’s Remedies though for reasons I can’t mention here.
There are a few very good companies: Crystal Herbs-Revival Remedy, Healing Herbs-5 Flower Remedy, Ainsworths-Recovery Remedy, and Australian Bush Flower Remedies-Bush Fuchsia or Calm & Clear. The alcohol content in one dose is equivalent to the same as in a banana.
I wish you all the best with your exam.
Niina
Hi Deb, The Harp I’m playing in that video is a Starfish Mamore, which is the largest harp they make. I think the Glencoe is the most popular though. The other Harp I would like is a Mark Norris.
How about: The Water is Wide from Kim Robertson’s book.
On the Water-Moniker Stadler. River Flows in You-Yiruma.
Swan LK243 (The name of the boat that Catriona was on while composing the piece at sea)-Catriona McKay.
I have had an attempt at all of the pieces, although not expertly.http://www.youtube.com/user/lizlops007?feature=mhw5
Here’s the Swan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STq2_CM7os8
To anyone who is in the UK looking for a really great Clarsach, I can’t recommend Starfish Designs enough. Their Harps are glorious. I tried many Harps over a 6 month period from L&H and Salvi, then I met the Starfish team who came to my school, played their Harps and made a decision immediately to ask my parents for one. They have great volume and are built beautifully.
I have heard a lot about the Dusty Strings Harps and would love to play one one day.http://harps.starfishdesigns.co.uk/harps.aspx
This is me with my Mamore. (The acoustics are a bit bellowy in my kitchen).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX5sSrEmZtA&list=UUdyyCdLfv_GQAI5BtfrOQbg&index=5&feature=plcp
Hi Ben
There has been some very good advice in response to your question. I would particularly agree with advice about talking to Jazz musicians. The Jazz musicians at my school are really impressive when they improvise.
As regard to Harps, I think the best improvisers are Paraguayan Harpists.
Have a look at this video of Martin Portillo and Marcelo Rojas (both of whom I intend to study with for six months in 2013).
I know there are some on Harpcolumn, perhaps they can give you some advice.Hi Jessica, Thank you so much.
I haven’t uploaded any Harp music for a while, as Chets is keeping me very busy. I have had 8 different concerts to do in the last 3 weeks; some solo, some ensemble and some with Paul McCreesh and the CSO. Just 2 weeks ago I was told I am doing Ceremony of Carols in Manchester Cathedral (which isn’t very long to practise for someone of my level) in front of the Mayor, dignitaries and 1,000 people and possibly the BBC!!! The top 3 Harpists at Chets weren’t available. As you can imagine, I’m a little nervous. And last week my teacher said that I have accidently been given two pieces from the same list for my Grade 7 exam; which is this Thursday!!! So she added Dizi’s Etude No.2.
Well anyway, this Friday it will all be over and I can relax till after Christmas before getting back to practise and uploading a few more vids.
Happy Christmas.
Take care
Lizzie
