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How about harp “hearings….”
We saw the second, “Night at the Museum” movie yesterday, and they had three cherubs from a fountain come to life. I think they may have looked like the Jonas Brothers…anyway – one had a lyre, and when they sang there was some terrific harp backup.
Oops – forgot to thank you for the tip about using the knees more, Tony. My teacher never mentioned doing that. Perhaps because she’s under 5 feet tall and it may not be an option for her. I’ll try it out more often!
I was also taught the Salzedo method, and my elbows are normally much higher than other harpists, but you’re right – I don’t keep them parallel to the floor.
I’m leaning more and more to Celtic music, and am even getting a Celtic harp made (have I mentioned that before?
I’ve never had a problem with my rings, but I’ve also had the earring problem. I love long, fancy earrings – but I take them off when I play.
Another problem I learned the hard way was – don’t wear blouses with sharp beads and embelishments! I scratched the back of my harp that way.
That’s wonderful! I did a little agaility with one of my Shelties a few years back. It’s wonderful fun and takes one very smart dog and one very good handler to win.Continued fun and success to the both of you!
Hi Jennifer –
Thanks for the opinion. I think I’ll see if I can try them both out again. Performance is the most important factor to me – but if it’s a tie – I’ll go with the gold!
What model are you having Bill make for you? Do you live in the area so that you can see it as it’s being made? I’m minutes from his shop, and hope to take pictures of mine as it’s being made.
Does anyone know what kind of levers are on the L&H Prelude? I had no trouble flipping those levers. I’m having a Webster harp made, and had decided on Camac – but now I’m not so sure…
The best story I heard was a wedding at Disney World. The wedding planner took the rings from the Best Man, and told him that when he was asked to present the rings, he should act like he lost them. The time came, and the fellow pretended to search his pockets and look flustered. Then trumpets sounded and a “Page” brought the rings in on a velvet pillow.
I’m surprized that no one mentioned this – or perhaps I just didn’t see it when I was scanning through the replies.
Have you asked your teacher what harp might be best for you? Since you are already taking lessons, I assume that your teacher will be your permanent teacher. I wish that I had found my teacher before my first harp. I’ll always love that harp because it introduced me to harp music, but the tension was way too light for the technique my teacher would teach me.
And I do believe that renting is an excellent way to go at first.
On more thing – I also had a Prelude before I got my Style 85. If I recall correctly the McFall rings longer than the Prelude. The big advantage to the McFall is that I can carry it myself. I couldn’t handle the Prelude by myself, but then – I’m a girl…and an old girl at that!
Ben!!!
Bill Webster’s workshop is just a couple of miles from where I live. When I was making my decision between the McFall and the Cecilia, he “borrowed” a McFall he had made for someone, and brought in his Cecila. I had the chance to try both, side by side.
I’m no expert, but as far as playing, they “felt” the same, or nearly so. As far as the sound (keeping in mind that the McFall was newer than the Cecilia) I found the Cecilia to be brighter, and the McFall to be warmer. It’s almost a male-female difference, if that makes any sense. It’s not higher vs. lower, but bright vs. warm. And it’s not a big differect between the two at all.
Yes, that person did buy the Cecilia. I saw her writing the check, so I went over to Bill and asked him. I’m getting a McFall from him. He has so many orders that he hasn’t been able to start it yet.
As I was walking to my car, Bill was driving off. He stopped to talk to me and he was all smiles. Like all of us, I think Kim Robertson’s performance charmed him, and the whole event was great. His only “downer” was that he didn’t have time to go to the workshops because he needed to stay around the Exhibit Hall. He said that next year he would bring a helper!
Hi Mary!
It was so great taking with you at the concert.
Tim’s Storm King is a great looking harp. I didn’t try all the harps because I’ve already put a deposit on a Webster harp – but I was sorely tempted! I did manage to buy some sheet music and have been playing it today.
There’s no question that I will be going back in 2010. I have the pre-registration sheet which I will probably send in next week. I’ll try to remember to post here before I go so that we can try to get together.
Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I’m currently writing an article for Denise Grupp-Verbon about The Harp Gathering, that we are going to send into the Folk Harp Journal. I’ll let everyone know if it gets published.
I’m looking for a very short bench for a Celtic harp. My choice is find something to set the harp on – or find a short seat for me! I’d love to have something like a camp stool. It’s like two X’s with fabric for the seat. Of course, I don’t want the tacky striped fabric…
