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I'm a student but I come to this forum often and see the parents discussing their children's EC's and I was curious. I'm thinking about taking up the harp. Does anybody have any info or experience about what it entitles?

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:03 am: Edit

Strength. You have to lug the thing around. <smile>

Seriously, I believe harps are quite expensive, but perhaps you can find one to rent. And a good teacher is, of course, essential. That is, in fact, where I would suggest you begin; locate a good teacher and ask about getting a harp.

(I'm wondering, too, if there is a board online somewhere for harpists. There are two double reed lists, so surely there'd be something for harpists as well ...?)

Other than that I'm not much help. My instrument is ... well ... smaller, more manageable and, for me anyway, a whole lot easier!

By Dolce (Dolce) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 07:39 am: Edit

I haven't found any online board for harpists. I tried, and I discovered that "harp" must be a nickname for harmonica, because everything I found was about harmonica music! Yes, a full-sized harp is quite expensive, but a person doesn't normally start on that large of one. I got a 3-octave harp for Christmas; there are smaller ones than that, called lap harps. Generally a student in lessons would make gradual progressions from one size to another. I haven't had time to start lessons, and, although I've worked through the first book, I am finding it difficult to learn on my own. I'm a piano teacher, so I already know how to read music of course. I just haven't been able to correctly pluck to get a good tone. Oh, one other thing that totally frustrates me about harp: they do not hold a tune at all! I have to re-tune it every time I play it, which takes 15-20 minutes. (I have nearly perfect pitch, so if it's out of tune even slightly it drives me crazy). Apparently it's normal that for the first year or so it doesn't hold its tuning.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:28 am: Edit

My understanding is that harps are so temperamental as for tuning that it can be dodgy keeping the thing in tune between the beginning and end of a concert.
As I understand it, they're extraordinarily sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity. With stage lights and the body heat of the audience....

I suppose I could say I left my harp in San Francisco and nobody would object?

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 04:44 pm: Edit

Ah ... Thedad ... YES, I'd object!

Maybe.


As to harp tuning: I know that the harpists I've worked with (in symphonies, operas and other gigs) tune before AND during the intermission of a concert. So yes, they have to be tuned all the time. I don't believe that having an older harp means that won't happen. It's not quite like the piano; you pluck the harp strings (as you, of course, know!), so I'm sure they are in constant need of adjustment.

Having perfect pitch would be a great asset for a harpist. Do you hear a precise A-440? I always wonder about that, since pitch has "evolved" (and European orchestras now have moved it to even an A-442 or higher!).

As to finding a harp list online: maybe you could do a search for a symphony, see if you can find the harpists email address, and write and ask. OR ... look at some university sites, find the harp teacher, and ask that instructor.

Or ... even better, perhaps ... this stubborn person (me) did a search. I came up with: http://tns-www.lcs.mit.edu/harp/

Check it out ... you might find some helpful things there. (I didn't click on all the links, so I can't guarantee a thing. At least I tried!)