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Well, it is a 10 000 € + tax harp, Swarovski crystals wholesale at a couple of dollars a square inch. Allow a week for sticking them on? I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out cheaper to do than gilding! But as Sid implies, I assume there is quite a markup on it. Probably cheaper to arrange your own sparklificated harp than buy this one.
Wrist warmers may help considerably. Dusty Strings have some which come over the palm, but even shorter ones which end below the thumb make a good contribution as the blood flows near the surface there.
You won’t have a problem finding someone to play harps at the festival! Most of the stalls have a harpist there for a start. Make sure you also visit Holywell who will be tucked away in another building.
I have also just sent you a private message.
Just for the record, Bow Brand gut is cow, not sheep.
I was never taught to raise. Does she come from a different school of harp playing and does she want to change? Does she have a tension problem? Does she find relaxing the hands from the wrist more intuitive and would this be an acceptable gesture for you?
Is the raise you use definitely after a chord? My gestures are before the next chord – if that makes sense.
This raises an interesting philosophical point – If you believe email or verbal contracts should be binding, why ask for a signed contract? For clarity, obviously, with verbal agreements – but how do you ask without giving the client the impression that they, and you, are not already contracted?
Have you read this?
http://www.harpcolumn.com/forums/harps-and-accessories/posts/397Indeed, around here the ladies would be wearing pants but the men may or may not be in trousers.
I think the question of being comfortable is very important. It is amazing how much some people’s body language can scream out that they feel uncomfortable in their clothes. I see it quite a bit with suits around the city Court, and also with party dresses where a woman has spent all her life in jeans.
It is your preference for sound that matters more than other players’ favourites. And you need to decide how much 4kg and 20cm matters to you – if this would be a 2nd harp just for portability then probably the size would matter most. If this is your only harp and you will only be moving it once or twice a week then maybe the size if more important. But if you are performing you want the best sound possible, and some players move pedal harps every day. In the end you need to decide!
Harp aging is a bit complicated – because it isn’t just aging. Small harp technology and design has diversified massively in the last several decades, and especially levers, so as well as quality of craftsmanship and possible deterioration you need to take into account the original design. Some old harps are really wonderful, but by no means all!
Does your teacher have a preference?
I feel that 34 or more strings is a plus point, as not having a string you need is a nuisance. The Titan has 38, while the Triplett I assume 30, which is respectable but more printed music will call for strings you don’t have than with 38. Does the Triplett in question have full levers? It is a nuisance again needing to retune to play a piece in Eb followed by one in C. How will you transport the harp and will you need to take it to lessons? Smaller harps have advantages.
New instruments do need a bit more tuning, but so do harps in a new climate or new strings. Buy an electronic tuner and get used to it!
For a regular job I suggest a minimum price is all the time you are out of the house charged at the rate you would charge for teaching + transport costs, extra wear on the harp from moving, professional insurance… and that is the minimum!
I would do some investigation before you launch into your project. If other musicians are being paid to play you want to think very hard before offering to play for free. It undervalues your music, and may well annoy other musicians you are undercutting.
Another idea would be looking at the coffee shops etc around. Do any seem to be gathering places that would appreciate music for afternoon tea, or whatever?
