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Rod,
Is this the thread that you are needing?
practice practice study study but no good result
Jerusha
Hi,Saul.I was wondering about harp teachers that didn’t learn with Salzedo or Miss Lawrence directly.I understand your point,some people play resembling (excuse me,please)a clothe-hanger (my former teacher was a fine harpist and she feels good doing this way,so ok,no big deal)but Salzedo/Lawrence method is
I will do my best to find an instructor first . . . thanks so much for all of your time and advice, everyone! Have an awesome day. =)
To all that have read my post from 9/15/02:
I greatly apologize to all readers and especially Venus Harps for my post in 2002.
Thank you all for your interesting input, it has been very helpful.
I have decided to list the instrument on e-bay this coming weekend.No, dividing the string successively in halves will give octaves at higher and higher pitches.
Harmonics occur according to the harmonic series – 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5 etc. This will give first an octave above, the fifth above that, another octave, major third above that, another fifth, minor 7th, octave again, and so on.
I think the physics of music is fascinating…. but that’s just me! In my opinion
To answer Diane’s question on the second harmonics…
The first harmonic is played on the harp by placing the hand half-way up the string, essentially dividing the vibrating length of the string in half, producing a tone one octave higher. The second harmonic is obtained by placing the hand one third of the way up the string, producing a tone an octave and a fifth higher. This can be used to tune the whole harp, circling in fifths (C-G-D-A-E-B-F#).
However, these fifths are called “pure” or “pythagorian” fifths and are slightly wider than the equal-temperament fifths we use today. (Equal-temperament is the tuning system we use wherby the difference in pitch between each semitone is identical). So to accomodate for this you must tune “slightly under” the second harmonic to ensure all fifths are equally-tempered. This method of tuning is very common among harpsichord tuners. I hope I haven’t confused you any further with that?!
I was also told by someone that cheap electronic tuners don’t tune to equal-temperament? I don’t think this is true, I think they’re just not as accurate as the expensive ones. Anyone know for sure?
Niall
