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Briggsie,
Where did you get the lap bar for your Eve? Does the Harpsicle one work for it?
I’ve got an Eve I just bought used–it’s 7 years old and in lovely shape. No slipping pins, stays in tune well, just got C and F levers installed. I love it.
Susan
I didn’t like the Aoyama at all, at first. It was loaned by a friend who actually detested harp playing but had kept it for 30 years. It had been a gift from her parents when she was in high school, but she ended up switching to cello. The harp had been neglected for all the time since, and had many broken strings.
I have a little Stoney End Eve that I got a month before the Ayoama was given to me, and the Aoyama sounded horrid compared to the Eve–dull, thunky, dark. Once the Aoyama was in my house, I found myself slightly repelled by harp playing, even by the Eve harp. I wondered why I ever wanted to play harp, anyway! It was odd. Then I remembered my friend telling me how much she’d hated the harp, and I felt as if I was picking up on the emotions she’d aimed at the poor Aoyama–as if it had absorbed them. I resolved to appreciate it. I got new strings and restrung it, and tuned it, and kept telling it thank you. Honestly? The sound improved tremendously each day. Yes, full strings and being in tune make the main difference, but I like to think so does being appreciated.
Now, I love the Aoyama. It is quite resonant and bright in the higher octaves, especially. I like the size and I like 34 strings. But I have nothing but the Eve to compare it to. I am having it regulated next week and look forward to how much better it will sound. I know Ayoamas have a spotty reputation, and this is an entry-level harp, but I’m really very grateful for it, for how synchronicitically it came into my life and how responsive it has been to me. I loaned my old Bach Stradivarius trumpet to my friend for her daugher, so we’re going to trade–trumpet for harp, as they’re of similar value.
Thank you, everyone. This forum and your advice are wonderfully helpful. I am amazed at what a sense of community there is among harp players. I’m also amazed at how many others there are who take up harp as middle-aged women (and men)! There doesn’t seem to be that implicdation that if you didn’t start as a child you’ll never be very good. Harps as instruments and the harp community seem to be generous, accomodating
I can relate to what you are saying in so many ways! It sounds to me like a classic creative block, and I think nearly any artist, writer or musician runs into it at some point. When you think about how most of us learn in school from a young age–grades, punishments,
rewards, tests, and all the attendant anxiety–it’s no wonder we get stuck and frustrated. I suspect it’s the rare person who has no fears or
stuckness about learning new things.For me, the harp is what is helping me get past a major creative block that affects me in several areas. I think of myself as “in recovery” from early classical music training and also art school. I’ll balance the checkbook or clean the garage before facing my easel and brushes or guitar, despite an almost desperate desire to paint or play music. Given that, I’m approaching harp quite differently. I never force myself to play it, I listen to harp music to inspire myself when I feel stuck, and I stop practicing as soon as I start to feel stress. I may never become really excellent
This is a great forum and I am grateful for these suggestions. Yes, Michaela’s set up with a teacher who comes to the house would be perfect (my trumpet teacher used to do that)! But given my initial Google searches, I suspect the closest person I’ll find will be at least an hour away, so I’m leaning toward Skype. Still, I wonder this:
Thank you, Michaela – I’m open to the idea of Skype lessons. I like Cynthy’s website and and your personal recommendation
