Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Have you checked with the schools to which you have applied or plan on applying to make sure the Clio will be adequate? Some music schools will want you to have a semi-grand or concert grand harp as a performance major.
As I understand it, the Camacs use cables rather than rods that run through tubes in the column, so they should be able to rearrange the cables at the factory. Interestingly, I’ve worked on several antique crochet-action harps that had had the rods rearranged to change the range of the harp but keep the pedals in the usual sequence.
Check with Camac to be sure, but I would say it should be quite safe. The very slight increase in string thickness would be more than compensated for by the reduction in tension from tuning a step lower.
Is the video flipped in some way, or are you playing with the harp on your left shoulder? Most modern harps are designed to be played on the right shoulder, so the levers are easier to see.
The pedals are arranged to allow modulation by a whole step. The most common modulations in music are between relative major and minor, by a 4th, and by a 5th, all of which require the move of just one pedal. To modulate by a whole step, another relatively common modulation, two pedals must be moved. The standard distribution of pedals allows the two pedals to mostly be in pairs on opposite sides of the harp, so both feet can be used simultaneously. For example, to get from the key of Bb to C, the B and E pedals are moved. To get from C to D, the C and F pedals are moved.
Please, would it be possible not to call same-sex ceremonies “SS ceremonies”? “SS” customarily refers to Nazi Stormtroopers, with some negative connotations…..
Hi Alyson
I checked the orchestra details on the Luck’s Music site, and it said “no harp”. So bring something to read during the waltz!
Paul
I’ve been happy with the ‘Regency’ wooden stand. It looks nice, and the legs are up high enough not to interfere with pedaling too much:
http://www.musicstandsalone.com/msrsregencyrosewoodsheetmusicstandYes. Moving the strings closer to the neck will reduce the torque on the neck and prolong the life of the harp.
The Erard ‘Gothic’ in the Victoria & Albert collection still had wire for the top three strings. Bear in mind that the Lyon & Healy harps at the time were designed for strings of the Erard 1829 gauge, which were about four notes-worth thinner than modern strings – very close to modern ‘Lever Gauge’ strings – so the top strings were very thin indeed. Plus, strings were usually oiled then but not varnished, so breakage was a frequent and ongoing problem. Anything to ameliorate that, like a few wire strings in the extreme treble, would probably have been welcome!
Hi Emma
Here’s the 1922/1927 Wurlitzer patent on the damper pedal:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/1637539.pdf
(Let me know if the link works; it didn’t seem to want to paste in… thanks!)
This type of damper pedal was actually developed by Wurlitzer (not Zabaleta), and was available as an option on some of their harps. Damper pedals of various sorts have cropped up intermittently since the 18th century, but none has been popular or lasting. I think it’s one of those things that seem like they might be a good idea, but then turn out to be not so useful in practice….
I don’t think I would classify the harp part to “Pines of Rome” as “minimal”, unless you’re doing an arrangement or just excerpts. The harp part in the original has some tricky spots, and you’ll probably want gliss picks for it.
As far as the others go, I’m assuming the orchestra is playing arrangements/medleys. These arrangements often come with a piano part in the set. You could talk to the conductor about making up a harp part based on the piano part.
