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Congratulations on being so near to getting your harp! I was wondering if L&H offer delivery service? Might be the most straightforward and safest way to get the harp home.
I’ve taken a harpsicle on a plane several times, some years ago. The planes were 737s. I was able to put it in the overhead and also in the closet intended for coats for first class passengers. I think airline employees are sometimes inconsistent in applying rules – some attendants didn’t seem to care that I put it in the closet, others were not happy with me. So you take your chances. I never had to check it, thank goodness, but it certainly added stress to the trip until I had the harpsicle stowed and me in my seat!
I like Kathryn Cater’s Fire from her My Gallery book. Here is a youtube link with Kathryn playing, very fast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKQ6zn4dzz4.The piece is not too hard, other than getting it up to speed. Good opportunity to practice blocking arpeggios.
HL – I found this video to be helpful in checking my position at the harp. Of course, the best option would be to have a teacher work with you!
Hi, Maria – I found this video very helpful in making sure I had my bench at the right height:
Angela – you can read Kindle e-books on a computer with a free app (same is true for other ebook formats, using Adobe Digital Editions for example). Here’s the link to info re the Kindle app for use on a mac:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_mac_mkt_lnd?docId=1000817691
I assume there’s a similar app for windows computers.
Lyn – I just ordered the Dunwoodie books after reading about them on this post. I ordered them from Melody’s at this address: http://folkharp.com/index.php?id_product=3219&controller=product
I’d also suggest making video recordings of yourself as you play and try the techniques demonstrated on the DVDs. It’s amazing what your fingers can get up to if nobody is watching them! So checking that your thumbs are up and your fingers down, that your fingers close fully into your palm and that your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders look like the DVD teachers. You might also look into teachers available on skype – a good option when there are no teachers in your area. Oh, and the other thing to do is to listen to your final notes as they continue resonating thru the wood of your harp – so beautiful!
Hello, William – I’ve been playing just a few years, but am playing music that has notation for harp effects, such as PDLT, muffles, glisses, slides, etc. I’ve found Yolanda Kondoassis’ book “On Playing the Harp” very useful as a reference for notation and special effects. The book also covers everything about playing, with many exercises for strengthening and conditioning. But I would enthusiastically second Patricia’s encouragement to work with a teacher. I tried to teach myself for about a year, and realized it would be so easy to develop very bad habits. I came across Susan Zevenbergen’s website (www.myharpsdelight.com) one cold, dark night and discovered she offered lessons via Skype – a miracle, since I was living in Alaska at the time! In my 55+ years, I’ve never encountered as gifted a teacher as Susan – she always seems to have the tool or technique I need at any given time to progress! So if you can, find a teacher locally that is experienced in teaching adults. And if you can’t find anyone, there are quite a few teachers besides Susan that offer lessons via skype. And most of all, enjoy playing!
I’ve been taking lessons via skype with Susan Zevenbergen for several years now (http://www.myharpsdelight.com/). It’s been great! One of the best aspects is continuing with the same teacher even after I moved from Alaska to Canada, and she moved from San Diego to Denver. Josh Layne’s videos are wonderful, and he also offers lessons on skype. I really encourage you to find a teacher – proper technique is so important to learn at the outset. I tried to teach myself initially, but quickly realized I could develop some very bad habits without a teacher!
Hi, I recently moved from Alaska to Victoria after I retired. To celebrate my move, I purchased a lever harp from Gerhard Wanney (www.gerharps.com) on Thetis Island. The more I play it, the more I’m in love with its beautiful sound. I take lessons via skype with Susan Zevenbergen in San Diego. She’s been the perfect teacher for me – always has what I need – whether technique, theory, improv and above all, having fun playing!
