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Ben, no doubt very soon you’ll be asked to perform at a wedding and you’ll be hooked. I am approaching 30 years of playing for weddings and still love every single one I play. I’m even performing for my first grand-bride next weekend! Keep learning/practicing/playing- the rewards are immeasurable.
Lauren, I got the “Fluffy’s Harp” piano music from Sheet Music Plus. It’s not too difficult, but pretty chromatic. I made a You Tube of it a few years ago, and used Garage Band to add a simulated Contra Bassoon and spooky noises. Here’s the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFz_mw-4SQI also really miss the Classic strings. I tried going nylon (I posted about it many times) and after a year my right thumb stayed continually spilt open and I could never get my harp to stay in tune. But here’s a question-does anyone put a lower thicker string on that would increase the gauge? For example, replace a 2nd octave E with a 2nd octave A or B? Would it harm the instrument?
I tell people that my insurance doesn’t cover other players”.”
Gena, what a great response for this situation. Brilliant!
A Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Auburn. You see, only in music can Auburn and Alabama fans work together in this state. War Eagle/Roll Tide!
Harp Guy- I can offer some perspective on this one! I’ve been an elementary teacher for 24 years now. It’s not for the timid nor will you be Anna Leonowens from “The King and I” singing “Getting to Know You.” You’ll be exhausted from the sheer physicality of it all and sometimes wiped out by the emotional stress. Add in the government saying that you should be able to make a fish fly at the 80th percentile. BUT… the long term rewards are immeasurably wonderful. Now to the harp/music aspect: The teaching career itself has been a dream for me. I have lots of time for practicing and gigs. The summer is like a two month harp workshop where you can play all day long. You won’t have much money, but you will have a steady paycheck, great work hours, insurance, and hope for retirement; whereupon you will be a professional musician 24/7.
Go to Radio Shack and get a small $20 lapel microphone, then get a small amp like a Peavy Audition (they have battery operated cordless amps now- I’d go with one of them). The radio Shack guys will help you get the right cords to connect it. Stick the lapel mic into the sound box though the back and loop it around the 2nd or 3rd octave hole to keep it from moving- leaving the mic in the harp. This is what I’ve used for 20 years and have had professional sound technicians ask me what I’m using. (PS- the battery in the lapel mic only lasts a couple of months- change it often.)
I’m guilty. Harp Column is educational and fun: I check it out multiple times a day. The things I’ve learned here are invaluable and have made me a better harpist than I could have ever imagined.
I just got a beautiful Chrysler Town & Country van with “Stow & Go” seats. IT’S HEAVEN! The seats easily tuck into compartments so you have this massive space for all of your stuff but can quickly turn it back into a kidmobile. It also has passenger doors on each side. I LOVE IT!
Georgiana, you may be onto something. It seems when we were little, and even when I started teaching elementary school 20 years ago, we had many special visitors, musicians, puppet shows, magicians, etc, in school several times every month. We always had the fear of God put into us to not disturb anyone or the performer, and to show our best school manners. [I still do that, by the way, and whenever my class goes anywhere we’re always complimented on the outstanding behavior. (I can do this thing with my eyes that makes even the toughest kid crack.)]
Back in my symphony days we were doing a Young People’s Concert, playing in the pit as there was a stage show accompanying the music. Right before one piece began, a baby started screaming two rows behind the conductor. He waited for the screaming to stop- which seemed eternal, but the mother never budged. Finally he turned around, stared her straight in the eyes, and said “MADAM, PLEASE LEAVE” in the loudest-slowest-coldest-Lurch voice I’ve ever heard. Just thinking about it makes my blood run cold! She and the still crying baby left and the concert continued. Could he get away with that now?
