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I traded in my 3 year old 40 string Daphne towards the purchase of a 23. I was credited almost the full amount that I paid for it, of course it had never been moved and was still under warranty. They did this sight unseen (took my word for it). I probably could have negotiated the price of my harp down a bit but didn’t know that was even possible.
GOOD experience!I remember shopping for my concert grand in ’94. I really wanted a 100 but it wasn’t made with 47 strings at that time, as I recall.
My tuning app (iStoboSoft by Peterson) has a “stretched tuning for harps”, (HP1- stretch for 47 string harp, HP2- stretch for 36 string harp, and HP3 milder stretch for 47 string harp). Have anyone of you tried using this “sweetener?”
Tracye,
Follow this link and click on the catalog image to scroll through it. In 1891, one could purchase a Steinway Grand for around &1,050.Yes Jennifer, there are different expectations for male and female harpists but our expressions aren’t so much apart from that. We should all look comfortable with what we are doing on the harp. Saul is more of a concert performer than I, but even in a concert setting emotion is okay. I once heard a conductor say to the first violins,” dig in to the strings, get dirty with it!” This isn’t the norm and of course was instructed (to do so without would be a distraction). Would I have been able to do that had he asked me? Would you?
In a formal setting we should be more poised but in a coffee house show your work. Presentation is all part of the show. I like Saul’s idea to practice in front of a mirror, I’ll even go further and video myself; that way I can see what I look like when not looking up! Bet I’m gonna hate it!I think some of you are missing the point of the thread; it is NOT to grin and look silly. It is about to smile or at least LOOK LIKE you are enjoying what you do. Diane, I have been told to smile more (by other musicians and have taken their advice) so lets not make this a men vs. women thing please. No one is commanding any of us to smile. It was a suggestion.
I think a look of concentration is okay, but if one appears to be in pain do something about it! If playing a lively piece then look happy (not a grin, just a pleasant smile)! If the piece is romantic, then look lovingly at the strings or something, just try not to appear as though you are constipated, LOL. Yes we do play a difficult instrument and we try to make it seem effortless. I think we should try to add a little to our performance if we can and break the “mold” of stiff musicians that we are most of the time.
Rental only as far as I know. Maybe you can view enough of the score to get and idea from here:
http://lucksmusic.com/qsearch.asp?composer=Rachmaninoff++&catno=&keywords=+Symphony+3+&submit2.x=28&submit2.y=1&OrderBy=ItemName+AscAfter seeing the movie, The Bishops Wife (at age 27), I knew the harp was for me. So I went to a reputable Music shop here in Dallas to find one. I asked the salesman at the shop if they sold harps (they had all the orchestra instruments in their inventory, or so they claimed). The salesman looked at me crossly, folded his arms and exclaimed, “Young man, no we don’t. Do you know how expensive those things are?” He was leaning against a 9 foot Steinway Concert grand piano with a price tag of $109,000.00!
So there you go, they cost too much! That’s why I shouldn’t play the harp! Obviously he didn’t work on commission! He did finally call me 6 months later, after I had already purchased my first harp, with a phone number for Lyon and Healy. LOLA harp balances on your shoulder. It shouldn’t bear any weight. The only thing that should concern you about a 47 string concert grand is that you can reach the bottom oct. C while playing a chord in the right hand. Since I have seen 8 year olds do this that are smaller than you, this shouldn’t be a problem. The fact is, you may be uncomfortable with a larger harp and that is okay. Get the harp that you want and don’t worry about what other people say is right for you! YOU KNOW what you want!
https://d1rde5anzutevo.cloudfront.net/catalog-31/Salzedo%20AMQS%209797.jpg
above is a picture of Carlos Salzedo. He doesn’t seem to be much taller than you are!
How you handle this with your teacher now, will affect how this works in the future. If your former teacher will act as your “agent” then they are entitled to a fee; but they need to handle the arrangements and payment and in turn pay you as the subcontractor ($50 per wedding seems steep). It also has the potential to make you look like you overcharge. Otherwise it should just be a referral and any fee should be your option not hers.
All three are nice choices. The Prestige is my favorite of the three. That could be her harp for life even. The best advise I can give is to get the best that you can afford. So many of us have the intention of trading up but life and finances get in the way and it never happens.
