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Hi Magi and everyone,
I’d like to chat and hear about your harp playing experiences. I started playing lever harp 6 months ago. I took lessons and rented a harp, until deciding on buying a 34 string, full levered Raveena. I love playing, and have been learning music by O’Carolan, (Sylvia Woods excellent arrangements), Scottish tunes- my current favorite The Lea-Rig, and Pachelbel’s Canon. I love music of all kinds and lately I’ve been listening a lot to Aryeh Frankfurter’s CD Harper’s Brew. Incredibly beautiful music. I’m waiting for the book to arrive in the mail so I can start learning some of those songs.
I live on Vancouver Island.Delays often happen with harps, but the dealers “not being very nice” is just…not nice. If you are uncomfortable with them, there are other dealers around if you decide you want to stick to L&H. Or buy direct from them. There are a couple of gurls there that are really lovely to deal with.
There are differences between Salvi and Lyon and Healy, but which you like is very much your taste. What I will say about the differences are all very much generalisations – and from a players perspective – mine!
Salvi tend to have a warmer and more focused sound, and a good one has a typically bell like purity in the upper register.
I agree with Briggs, that you are definitely not to old to learn. I got a new pupil recently and she was in her 80’s, had never played and instrument before, and just loves it.
I’d start with having a few
I had a look at the old lady – I am wondering about the pedal slots – if you look closely, it appears in the picture that the B, C, and F slots have a blocks of wood in the sharp position – I know these old dearies are murder to regulate and keep in regulation, and maybe this one was set up more along the lines of a single action – I’m curious to know what the slots look like on the other pedals – anyone have any ideas?
Well, I haven’t yet worked a blister on top of my fingers but when passing I feel like my fingers are flailing about looking for that next string.
Hi Fairy Fey,
You are a crack up! I too am somewhat addicted to looking at sadly neglected, but essentially gorgeous, old harps on ebay…
I wonder if the sellers would allow you to go and see these harps in person..as the problem is that these old darlings are often so badly neglected and in need of really very expensive structural work…and you could end up quite easily paying more than for a new harp….
But they are lovely and it is so sad to see them in their decayed splendour sitting out waiting for a new home….
Thanks for alerting us to the piccie, always good to look at different models and gorgeous old “thangs”….
Cheers,
Wurly
I’ve got a real ‘laugher’ for you. I’m sitting at the harp, possibly turning pages, arranging music, etc. and folks will come by and ask “do you play that?”
I have to almost smile kindly to avoid laughing so corruptly at their question.
Another ‘laugher’ is I get from folks while at the harp and they have opportunity to interrupt: “Do you own that harp”?
while I do find it rude to blow people off, it’s sometimes necessary to continue playing a gig. Sometimes I tell folks “I’m being paid to play the harp and cannot socialize at this moment. You can talk to me during my break in xx minutes”. and I have that well rehearsed and can almost say it off rhythm. That usually sends them away – of course, you always have that ‘special’ one to deal with. urffffffffffff!!!
Doc
Omg Leigh, you are so right! I’m sure that person already had a Nancy Rae Pratt harp. Which could be the used one that is for sale at the Virginia Harp Center here in New Jersey! HAHA
I must say. Most double and cross strung harps have warranty issues. The stress on the soundboard alone is enough to break any camals back! I’m not sure I’d make that choice. Especially with the constant changing temperatures my harp already endures!The idea is nice…. no levers. Cross strung is so very much like a piano. ( I’d stick to the Salvi Ana or L&H Prelude. Big sound and a concert touch
)Goodluck with your search! ( Check out Blevins harps. They have cross and double strung harps!)
-Christopher-
