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I started when I was 24 and I am know 26. It is a hobby for me purely. Had no real instrumental background and I am not a talent at all(but then I just have to pratice harder I guess) But I love it every time I sit down and play a piece of music for myself, and that is a real joy I wish for all to experience. If you are in love with the harp do not deny it. I was so fortunate to be able to rent a harp from the music school the first year, so I did not have to buy one from the beginning – maybe it is possible for you to in your area.

[tea-s-k]

I do not know if it is a practice journal I keep, but I have a small notebook where I after each lesson write down the good advices and reminders my teacher gave me during the lesson. It helps me when practicing because it helps me remember what to work with and over time I can see if there are some things that keep being noticed and thereforre is a thing I need to work extra with.

[tea-s-k]

I can not tell if the bardic harp is less resonant than other small harps since it is the only small harp I have heard in real life, all other harps I have heard in real life are all floor harps, so I can not tell.
If you live near me you can come by and try it –

[tea-s-k]

As extra information people at “http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/” forum maybe know more about historic instruments. Busy mole are also a member of this forum

[tea-s-k]

I have nolyn string out of two reasons, first because I was looking for a harp as cheap as possible and the gut strings are much more expensive(at the time money was small) and second the gut strings are without colouring as I remember – no blue F’s or red C’s just like it was back then. How they sound I can not tell but it would proberly be more medieval like with gut. I will maybe later change to gut strings(it should be possible he informed). Remember as I wrote before that this is not a loud harp, keep this in mind if you plan to play places with a lot of noise. I have not yet had it with me at medieval fairs – I have not had the courage or repertoire yet to do it.

[tea-s-k]

I own one of their bardic harps as my second harp(my primary harp is a great sounding 34 floorharp from blevins). I is not a masterpiece a all, but it is fine to bring along everywhere where I would hesitate to bring something more expensive. camping, weekendtrips to family and so on. The reason for buying this was it small size, it’s ability to be used in middleage themed festivals and it’s price.
As said it is not a masterpiece and not very loud and on mine the two lowest strings are a bit too loose. Keep in mind the number of strings – very few pieces play well with both hands om this one(but they are out there especially middleage ones), but the right hand pattern can often be praticed normally. In ears of nonmusicans in my family( how have never heard a harp) it sounds enchanting when I play at it. Keep in mind that it will take time to get it since he makes it himselfand I think it is partly a hobby for him, but good service.
To sum up you get what you pay for, but the bardic harp is completely durable as a 19 string harp to bring risky places

[tea-s-k]

What is your definition of traditional pieces? If it is folksongs it would help to know where in Denmark, because some of the local popular ones is tied to lotations for example the Limfjord.
If it is very old peices of music it would be some other pieces an example could be the oldest known danish folksong “Drømte mig en drøm i nat” (try wikipedia for the melody line)

There is of course THE weddingwals (brudevalsen) in Denmark, which is the one the bride and groom dances the first dance to and normally not used at any other time. It is written by Niels W. Gade in 18something. I think I have the melody line somewhere on my laptop – send my a message. But maybe you should not play this one since it would be a shame to let you miss the fun on the dancing floor the guests are doing around the couple.

In genereal things are not arranged for harp, but many have piano arrangements exists besides the melody line only.
In the older generations where i live an old melody from Scotland called Should auld acquaintance be forgot is well known with danish lyrics by Jeppe Aakjær.

At last, maybe ask the couple about some melodies they have special feelings for.

[tea-s-k]

Thank you for sharing your expirence. I have been thinking a lot and have now ordered a Glenwood 34. So are looking forward to it being made.

[tea-s-k]

looks interesting. My biggest priority at the moment it a normal big harp. but would like a medieval one as a small second one

[tea-s-k]

Thanks for all the insight. I took a melodybook for piano with many nice pieces and compared the need of strings – and are now looking for something with 34 strings, are almost set on Blevins Avee 34. But need the finances first, so are looking forward to the spring.

[tea-s-k]

Thank you for the tip. Have requested for membership now to the goup

[tea-s-k]

I think a smaller lever harp with a strap would work out much better, both when it comes to the look and playing. She can not really change the pedals anyway

[tea-s-k]

I found it and heard it, it is a good idea because it only focus on the sound.

[tea-s-k]

How did it go?
I am myself considering an Avee 34 as one of many options.
How expensive was the transport when you live in Europe?

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I am already emailing a little with Cindy Blevins. But I was more thinking about peoples experiance with this harp model, how it is to handle ad specially wether people miss the strings from F5 down to C6.

Trying the harps in person are not possible for me – living in europe and not very near their partners.

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