Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I prefer Pirastro nylon strings, and I use Bow brand gut strings and wire strings )silver/copper). You can buy them from many sources, depending on where you are, because the shipping cost will change depending on your location.
I don’t think it was ever published in a printed form. If it is in the Schirmer catalog, then you may be able to rent a copy or get an archival copy made. Let me know, please, if you find one. Otherwise, only a couple of harpists may have copies.
I recently purchased a Dr. Beat metronome that can play cross-rhythms, and it extremely helpful. I think it might make learning cross-rhythms much easier.
One important method is to focus on reading ahead, to always be at least one beat ahead of what you are playing. The best practice is to have your teacher or a friend slide a piece of paper across your music as you are playing, and it will force your eye to move faster, and your brain to short-term memorize faster. One can get hung up on notation, but you have to read the meaning. See what kind of chord it is, is it a c major or a minor? Then you can play the right notes even if they are not exactly what is written. There are books for sight-singing that you can use for reading practice. Do a lot of it, and it will get better.
Nivea used to have a conditioning oil that helped. Now, the best thing would seem to be bag balm. Fill your fingertips with it, then wash off the surface. Take a little break, sand the surface a bit, and avoid glisses/fluxes and lots of loud playing until you skin recovers. If the callous has separated from the skin underneath, it will gradually come to the surface and come off. Then you will be uncomfortable for a while. You have to be always conscious of your skin condition when playing. I avoid doing dishes before playing.
Cracked it in two weeks? With a metronome? If you are used to 5/8, perhaps that is feasible. It lays in the hand for the most part, but playing with feeling does take some time. But if you really did, then tackle his “La del alba Seria”. Let me know how you do with that one.
Oil will spoil a string that is not conditioned to accept it, in my experience. If it suits a Bow string, then okay. Pirastro has strings made to be oiled. Fraying means a string is beginning to wear out, but as long as the pitch is true, snip off the strands with a cosmetic scissor or razor, very carefully. Do not pull them.
I don’t know what they are playing, but Dewey Owens’s first edition can be riveting. It is a grand piece of work. Not everyone is up to it. I heard several people perform it. But I think I have to agree, it will never truly rival a fine violinist. Or will it?
Yes, sometimes for amusement. Many former students of Lucile Lawrence have it in their concert repertoire.
The best way I’ve seen yet comes from Virginia Flanagan. You position the harp at the gate/back door/flap, sideways. Get between the harp and the car and lay it on your lap. Then you can slide out from under the harp and gently transfer its weight onto the car. You then have to lift up the base and slide the harp into the car. So, you need a surface on which it can slide. You can lay a mattress on top of a plastic sheet, or put a plastic cover on your mattress. The harp needs to lay on its side so it is fully supported all the way around the frame, and fully cushioned from the bumps and shakes of driving. Do not skimp on padding. The padded cover is not enough. You can get a large piece of foam rubber to put on the plastic or plywood sheet that you slide in and out of the car. Do not slide the harp in and out with only the cover to protect it. You may damage the wood and the cover. Carpeting is not enough. You can use many cushions or pillows, but that is messy. I think you would need at least two layers of exercise mats, but I think they are not enough protection.
