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One clear influence seems to definitely be musical literacy. The more music the student has experienced, the more sophisticated they should be and the broader their range of interest and ability to play different kinds of music. I have started to issue listening lists to my students, and next will require a minimum number of concerts to attend, or specific ones, hopefully they’ll attend.
Alan, Just a suggestion. Go to the Heartland exhibit early. It was packed the whole time we were there last year. You’ll know why when you see it!
I wanted to bring this thread back up – to see if anyone had any news/info? (Its now several years later since the first thread was entered on this subject)…
I also just caught a re-run of I Love Lucy – and was wondering the same thing – who the harpist is/was – is she still with alive? what happened to her harp (looks like a Lyon & Healy Style 23 gold to me??).. I tried to find more info on the internet – but no luck…
Thanks to anyone who has some more info – just for trivia/the historical sake!
Kind regards…
William
Thank you to everyone for their advice. It’s been really useful.
Thank you to Tayce for the sitting suggestions. I do sit on the edge of the seat and have the harp tilted at its balance point, but I don’t have a seat that tilts forward, so perhaps this would be useful – thanks for suggesting this.
Andy and Hannah, thanks for your suggestions – I will definitely look into maybe getting a different, smaller harp. The harp I have at the moment is a 46 string Erard; it seems small compared to my teacher’s harp, which is huge, but perhaps a harp that’s slightly smaller or with smaller string spacing would help. I don’t really know how Erards stand with regard to string spacing. Hannah, it’s good to know that someone with the same proportions has overcome these problems – thank you for replying!
Thanks also for the shoe suggestions; I’ll definitely try this. I will look at the post on small fourth fingers too!
Best wishes,
Frances
I was a newbie a year ago, and I love to play the harp. I am going to give you advice that you will not want, but it is the very best advice that anyone can give you. If at all possible, rent first, don’t buy.
I was in your shoes a year ago, almost to the dot. I’m short, back and neck problems, small hands. The makers you’ve mentioned are great, and there are other great makers about whom you will learn as you get into your lessons. If you can get to a regional harp fair, go and see and play other harps as well as the ones you’ve spoken about.
You will be amazed and pleased with how your tastes refine as you study, and with experience you will have the opportunity to make an informed decision about what works for you best. There are many harp dealers who do rentals, and several give you the advantage of renting-to-own or being able to trade a rental for its value when you purchase.
A lap harp is much tougher on a beginner than a floor harp, because you will be able to find a comfortable position without struggling against gravity.
The point of mentioning the past performers is that they were really great ones, not how many or how the technology duplicated them. How many today can be called that? The only conductors I’ve heard in the last decade that moved me were Fruhbeck de Burgos and Claudio Abbado. There are some terrific opera singers like Deborah Voigt, but for recitals? Not sure. I don’t think that highly of Dawn Upshaw, she’s not as fine as Von Stade. I don’t doubt great artists exist in greater numbers than we ever hear about. Many spend most of their time teaching.
Not sure if anyone is interested – but I saw a Erard harp on ebay.. Its in pretty bad shape – but the column seems to be intact – and many of the original parts (even though damaged) are still there…. Maybe someone could buy this once beautiful instrument and restore it?? If I had the money/repair knowledge – I know I would! Regards!
I think WCPE (89.7), in North Carolina is a great station. If you have a good internet connection you can stream it.
I agree, it’s an absolute necessity, but I don’t see them going, do you? But then, most artists today don’t seem to be of the caliber of the past artists like Casals, Rostropovich, De Los Angeles, Fischer-Dieskau, Rubinstein, those of such great heart and humanity. Perhaps historic recordings are more important?
