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Dear Anon (is that your real name, or are you worried your teacher might stumble
across your message?????):
You’ve gotten some great advice already! The biggest thing I will echo is to talk to
your teacher. Maybe she would like to give you more difficult pieces, but feels you
can’t spend enough time practicing them. Have you had a conversation with her about
this yet? At age 15, it’s time for you to start interacting with your teacher on a more
adult level, and making sure you discuss your goals out in the open is the best way to
start. That way perhaps she will not view you as a kid and start giving you more
challenging pieces. If your teacher is not receptive to having a discussion about your
goals, or if her goals for you are not in line with your own, then you and your parents
might decide it’s time to move on. But I agree with Jane that you must discuss your
situation with your present teacher first. One other thing to add is that you need to be
honest with yourself about the answers you get from your teacher. For example, if she
says that she gives you simple pieces because you still need to work on your
technique, you need to really think about how you can do that effectively and show
your teacher you are willing to work hard. If you are being honest with yourself and
truly don’t agree with what she’s telling you, try to get another assessment of your
playing from another harpist you trust and respect.
Now, for a really blantant plug about my own summer program, the Young Artist’s
Harp Seminar. If you think you might want to try a summer camp, please consider
applying to this one. It is two weeks of intensive lessons, practicing, harp ensemble,
and classes. There are more details at http://www.harpseminar.com, or you can email me in
person.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Kim Rowe
Well, a lot depends on where you live. A while ago the harp column magazine, they had a map of the united states, and in every state they had prices for weddings, lessons and (i think) a ceremony of carols. It was very interesting, to see how each varied from region to region. I noticed a trend that in the northeast, lessons tended to be a bit more expensive while in the northwest, wedding prices peaked. Go figure. Heres a quick list of what i tend to charge.
weddings (1 hour) outside my parish: $200
weddings (over 1 hour) outside my parish: $275
weddings held in my parish: all $150
Steady work: 4 hours for $275
If the gig is out of my region, I tend to add an additional charge. Also, the steady work that i listed was during the Christmas season… that’s why it is so high. For other steady workl, I’d say $35-$80 an hour owuld be appropriate.
Im 14 years old (well, 13 now, but my birthday is in 5 days! yay).
I’ve done gigs for 2 years.
I am about 10 minutes north of Boston, Massachusetts.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me at sugarhigh21290@yahoo.com.-steve
Dear Susan,
Have you checked with the official Healing Harps website? That would be the ideal place to check, though there is a fair chance that someone here will be able to help you. I’m glad that you have decided to do harp therapy. This instrument is truly magical, and I know that it will do a LOT for you. Good luck and HAVE FUN getting to know and play this instrument. Keep us posted on your experiences!
I’m a professional bassist, and have suffered chronic skin cracking on my fingertips for some years….often just before a very important call.
Zim’s worked in the short time, but wasn’t a solution.
Someone here suggested NU-skin, but it peels off same day.I found some (nail hardening) stuff called Hard As Nails which I brush onto the skin, and it gets me through a performance.
I’m now at the superglue stage.My sympathies with all sufferers…please keep those hints coming!
JGI just read all the emails on this site about cracking fingertips. I can barely type this because mine are so sore. I go through tubes of ointments and boxes of bandaids quicker than the red cross and started wondering if maybe I had diabetes.My dad died from it in September. I had my blood checked and thankfully, it was negative.
When one considers that the pedal “topography” is virtually the only tactile way a harpist has to “feel” what key they are playing in, since all major and minor scales have the same fingering, I have no shame in giving a soft brush over the tops of the pedals with my feet, but at a discreet moment.
Gretchan Van Hoeson is a wonderful teacher who studied with Grandjany at Julliard.
She teaches in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon Uni. and Duquesne.In response to the lady who asked about Melrose Cream. I have also been using it and bought a case from Wal Mart about 2 years ago at 99 cents a jar. I haven’t been able to find it there anymore either. I just came from their web site and they want $7 per jar although it’s cheaper by the case, like $3.50. I had called the company before buying the case at Wal Mart and they only wanted $2.50 a jar. I will keep checking and searching for a better price. Will report info when I get it.
Be aware of rent to own situations where you can’t buy the exact
harp you are renting and need to pay lots of extra shipping fees
and make sure you get everything in writing!
