Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I am not familiar with the Suzuki books levels, but the Handel concerto would probably be a start? The original version (not the Grandjany or Salzedo ones) is quite simple…it’s not full orchestra though.
That is a very interesting analogy, David.
If we were to ask strangers if we could try out their $40k car (or any valuable property for that matter), most would think we’re crazy…but somehow some people think we should let them try out our harps (which cost the same or sometimes more).
Thank you for the suggestion, Saul.
I wonder, is it only harpists that have problems with getting unplayable parts? I have always thought other musicians never has such problems, or not as often anyway, or maybe it is just we are not aware of it?
Thank you Tacye and Saul about the advice on how to play the piece.
Howard, I suppose in terms of acoustic physics, it is possible to play harmonics on any note no matter how high, we just need to pluck the string at half length. But in practice, I find that as I get up to 1st octave it is increasingly difficult to do without my hand hitting the soundboard and/or the neck…maybe it is just me, I don’t know. I also find that it is close to impossible to coax the harmonics out of some (not so good) harps at this register. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
》Harpists regularly encounter things that range from impossible to ineffective《
While this statement is entirely accurate, convincing people (the conductor, other instrumentalists, the composer, etc) of it is an entirely different matter. More often than not, people will take this statement as your inability to play it, i.e.your lack of skill and/or willingness to even try. Howard’s first reaction as a pianist to my questions was exactly along this line, although he was being extremely polite in saying it. His reaction is perfectly understandable, of course.Thanks so much for your reply Howard 🙂
I was just wondering about the harmonics because I think Salzedo writes them where they sound, not where they are played (as usual)…and some of the notes are very high (like 1st octave), so that makes me question this.
About the huge chords, they are like 12 notes and spans 4 octaves. It can be played of course by doing LH-RH-LH arppegiated as you suggest, but at that tempo I am not sure I can manage. So I am just curious as to what other harpists do 🙂
Just an experience I’d like to share. I too have experienced of being given a weird and crazy “harp part” once. I tried to talk to the composer about changing it, and his response was that it was performed before and the harpist did not complain at all. Implying that perhaps it was my lack of skills that compelled me to protest.
As I know the harpist he meant, I then asked her about it, and she said that she actually changed most of the parts, eliminate a lot of the notes etc and just did not bother to tell the composer about it.
I guess what I am trying to say is, if we find that a “harp part” has problems, please do say something about it. It will certainly do the next harpist asked to play it, a huge favour. And it will help the composers too..if we did not say anything and simply fix it ourselves, then they will continue to do their crazy stuff.
The harpist in the video did not seem to play all the notes though, she seems to eliminate a lot (from roughly warching her hand gestures), sorry if I am mistaken.
Thanks so much Elizabeth, I will send you an email.
Oh dear…88…is it still playable securely at that tempo?
Hi Elizabeth, just wondering if your version is the same as the one in Bullen’s principal harp book? I find that version, although playable, still quite challenging.
Also what is the tempo the orchestra usually play at? In Bullen’s edition it’s written as minim=63, and the one on IMSLP said 72. But all the ones I have heard on youtube are way faster than that.
Thanks everyone in advance.
From what my friends in Asia told me, when they bought their harps, Salvi ship them like that (as your picture – no extra wooden crate outside), and they all arrived safely. But doesn’t hurt to double check with them. Hope that helps 🙂
I missed this 🙁
Can anyone tell me how much is the pass to access the videos, and how to purchase it? I can’t find the information on their website.
I just patched my 5th octave C following your explanation, Carl. I looked up on how to tie a figure 8 knot from the web. Thanks so much for the suggestion, definitely save me from buying a new string for the time being. Although I must admit doing a patch for a 5th octave string is quite painful as they are so hard to bend and make knots from.
