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Sherri, try this link below. I hope it works. Let me know what you think about the article. I also can’t take credit for the above suggestion. It came from my very trustworthy harp tech, Paul Knoke. Sherj
Hi Sherri,
I am assuming the wrench might be older and need replacing. There are so many changes to what goes into metals these days, and they can be soft and easily distorted. I have had the same issues with my pedal harp tuning key. Hope this might help! SherjJust a note about Camacs…I don’t own one. However, I have a girlfriend who was having an issue getting her harp maker to replace her broken Camac levers, and finally, in frustration, she contacted Camac in France. Jakez François personally responded to her directly, and got her what she needed and had been waiting for. I always thought that reflected very favorably, that a company all the way over in France, cared about one little customer in the U.S. and reacted immediately.
However, just so you know, my harp tech has no problems working on Camacs. They say you can do the regulations yourself, but I trust Paul Knoke to work on my harps. I wouldn’t dare touch something worth thousands of dollars without training. Make your harp tech your best friend! Hope this info helps. Sherj
No advice on that surgery David, sorry, but will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy and problem free recovery. I will say I had a deeply buried, 20 year old ganglion cyst removed from inside my wrist, and I was amazed at how quickly my wrist healed, and how long the anesthesia lasted after the surgery. I didn’t feel it until about 3 days after the surgery, and it was manageable pain. Not comparable I know, but I hope you will find your surgery goes as positively as mine. Many Blessings. Sherj
Are you lying awake at night in anticipation? How can you sleep? Great news, and we share in your joy!!
She sounds like a lovely person, and an incredibly talented harpist Tony. My thoughts are with you, and her family.
I frequently use the dental cotton packs. A dentist just gave me a whole pack. They are large, soft, no buzzing. They are about an inch long, 1/3 inch thick. It was something my harp teacher taught me. The chance that a string will slip through the string dots strip with one of these is pretty slim.
And I am either 9 or 10 years, I can’t remember. I still believe I am a beginner, but maybe easing my way into intermediate. When I can pick up a piece of music, sight read and hit most of the right notes, get the rhythm correct, and be happy with the way I played it, maybe then I will confirm that I am intermediate. I am glad my teacher pushed me out of some books, and into a broader spectrum of music. I found that I didn’t need to read music to play a particular series, and consequently, wasn’t learning very much. The music was too predictable. I think that helped push me further along more than anything else has. I still classify myself as a beginner, and will continue in lessons as long as I can. There is just so much out there to learn…..
Bernhard, you have every right to be proud. Your wife’s video was lovely. Thanks for sharing it. Sherj
Thanks Sylvia and I understand your position. Mine is probably different. I am not a professional, and I understand that you are. I was not playing as a professional, but an amateur. I can’t see any other choice other than to say what I did, and it seemed poor manners at that time, to do anything else. What I envy you and others who are professional, is to be at that skill level where you can play through mistakes. I’m not there yet. I am working on it! I also never market myself as a pro, although I know several at my level who do, and I wonder about the justice of that position to the professional community. I think I also meant to let Kay know that I understand quite a bit of what she experienced. Thank you for your ideas. Blessings! Sherj
My daughter was an incredible flautist all through school. I on the other hand, play but I am not particularly talented. I simply practice a lot so I can do it. She told me once…”why be nervous. They never even know when you play a wrong note”. In general, she is correct. When playing well known pieces maybe people catch on. But she never seemed to be outwardly nervous. (With her personality, I suspect she bottles it up inside and hides it well.) I have heard a lot of professionals play, and when I am sitting close to them, they all have little mistakes they simply play through. I once was asked to play from the audience and went up and did so, played something I had never played in public, and totally messed up. I said to the audience, “I’m sorry I thought I could play this, clearly I am wrong. I’m going to play something else.” I did and everything was OK.
I might also note, how we play can be a direct reflection on our teachers. A teacher who teaches well, addresses mistakes, and great as well as poor performances. My teacher has never berated me about my numerous mistakes over the past 9 years. She is encouraging, understanding, gives positive constructive criticism, and doesn’t make a big deal over them. I find we are much harder on ourselves, than anyone else is. (And if you have a teacher with that attitude, I might look for someone else!)
Maybe an indirect answer to your question……my last two recital pieces seem to have a lot of octaves in the left hand. I am right handed, and I find that if I am not careful, I put my left hand out of commission, specifically at that last joint near the fingertip of my third finger. It is weak compared to my right hand. When I feel pain, I stop playing. I practice by placing my fingers in place and very gently playing the strings. I suspect like most parts of our bodies, it grows stronger with use, and weakens when you stop practicing pieces that don’t utilize that finger. I haven’t noticed my finger collapsing, but I do feel pain if I’m not careful, and I do stop. It’s not worth losing the ability to play by ignoring signals from our bodies.
Dear Angela and Paul,
I really like the corded off idea, and it had never crossed my mind, so thanks to you both. Paul, I am covered by Anderson, even though (as you know!) I am not a professional. I seldom take out my pedal harp, but if something happened to her, I could not replace her financially. Thanks to all for the above ideas. Sherj
