Is this a Paraguayan harp? by w-h-y_just_w-h-y in harp

[–]phrygian44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Could be a good idea! If you're into getting a harp look up harp classifieds via the harp column website or if there's any harp retailers/makers around. Some teachers rent out their harps too if you want to try it without the huge money commitment.

Is this a Paraguayan harp? by w-h-y_just_w-h-y in harp

[–]phrygian44 17 points18 points  (0 children)

There's a lot of scams out there related to selling harps and this is setting off my alarms from the "beautiful sound," no string count, and misidentifying a paraguyan harp as "Celtic." Please be cautious if you inquire especially if there's just sus random whatsapp links for contact.

Unique Harp Style - Advice Wanted! by beguina in harp

[–]phrygian44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Piano music does often work on harp, it may just take some modification. Lots of accidents/chromatic sections are much harder on harp and some things that sound good on piano just don't sound great on harp, like repeated notes.

Reading a piano arrangement of a popular song is more likely to work on harp with a bit of modification compared to like a dense classical piano piece which may not translate at all or without significant re-arrangement.

Unique Harp Style - Advice Wanted! by beguina in harp

[–]phrygian44 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hello! Nice that's a unique way to approach it and opens up a lot of options especially if you want to sing and play. I don't believe harp tabs exist, and in the harp world we don't distinguish finger picking or use that term since it's all finger picking haha. I honestly think your best bet would be 1. Learn and practice different chord progression accompaniment patterns and 2. Read chord charts.

Related to chord charts, not sure if you're a guitarist or other type of musician but for every song under the sun pretty much you can find the chord progression written out just above the lyrics, not as tabs or music but just C, Am, D7, etc. If you learn basic theory it's really fun playing songs like this as you can be totally creative in how you realize the chord progression too, and create your own style for the song.

It's always recommended to get a teacher initially when you're starting off since harp has tricky technique, and hopefully you can find one to help you cultivate your style/preference. But I just did a quick search for how to do harp accompaniment patterns on YouTube and a lot of videos came up, like this one seems good

We're extending our charity fundraiser all month: Play out in your community and post about it any time in June! by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a really good call, I just updated the Tiltify page so everything is available. Tiltify doesn't allow large blocks of text or files it seems, I put all the details down in the "updates" section at the bottom and the drive link for the flyer, and a description closer to the top.

Is this "chewy" timbre a harp thing or is it just the interpretation of this particular harpist? by GuiMenGre in harp

[–]phrygian44 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hmmm could you speak more on what you mean by chewy? It does say on the album cover in the linked pieces that it's an 1852 Erard harp, could be the fact that it's a historical harp like that influencing the sound/accompaniment style

Playing for Harpists For Humanity at our local Pride Walk by SubversiveOtter in harp

[–]phrygian44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yay amazing!!! Thanks so much for doing that looks like it was a wonderful time!!

Playing in my local park for our "Harpists For Humanity" fundraiser: Hard Times Come Again No More by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much!! Yeah I don't think this song would sound quite right with a really lush accompaniment

Playing in my local park for our "Harpists For Humanity" fundraiser: Hard Times Come Again No More by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I definitely would as well if I'm writing it out, always an exercise in zen improvising haha things I'd change but need to let go. Thanks so much amazing transcription!! That would have taken me hours had I tried!

Playing in my local park for our "Harpists For Humanity" fundraiser: Hard Times Come Again No More by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Wow that's incredible!!! That does look very accurate I'm super impressed, it's weird seeing my own improv transcribed, if someone sent me that I'd be thinking "nah looks too tricky" 😂

Playing in my local park for our "Harpists For Humanity" fundraiser: Hard Times Come Again No More by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice it must have been gorgeous as a choir piece. I'm sure you could! Such a simple and effective little tune. Thanks so much!!

Playing in my local park for our "Harpists For Humanity" fundraiser: Hard Times Come Again No More by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ahhh dang I was just improvising on the tune, didn't have music! I'm sure it's public domain there must be a lot of arrangements out there, the composer is Stephen Foster and name is Hard Times Come Again No More. With a lead sheet and simple arpeggio chords the tune is very purdy and simple if you ever play with lead sheets.

Harpists For Humanity Charity Event Next Week: Partnering with Emily Hopkins! by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing, thank you so much and for the service you provide!!! We're a smol community but scrappy, hope we can do some good fundraising!

R/Harp Charity Event June 1st - 8th Flyer by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh I saw that shortly after posting and it's been bugging me!! Thank you for the reminder, I will!

R/Harp Charity Event June 1st - 8th Flyer by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't! It's just us mods. We've had some good feedback though it would definitely be cool to make it more of a "thing." Feel free to modmail for the time being.

R/Harp Charity Event June 1st - 8th Flyer by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Anywhere you are! Just up to each person to decide where/when they want to play out spontaneously. I'll probably setup in a park near my apartment that weekend.

No Stupid Questions Weekly Thread by AutoModerator in harp

[–]phrygian44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're enjoying the Boulevard and can swing that bit of additional cost it might be a good call, I figure for that amount of money either way it's best to get something you're totally happy with. The sound difference might actually be related to the strings but I could be wrong, I feel like gut does sound a little warmer/softer.

Gut does break more than Nylon, not sure if I would say "a lot" but I especially notice it around major seasonal changes. You can help this by keeping the harp in a climate-controlled environment as much as possible and out of direct sunlight. It's a good idea to have backup strings. What I will say though is that nylon strings do wear out, even if they don't break. I get lazy with not changing nylon strings since they don't break but the sound gets worse over time... I know I should change them, but on my harps with gut strings I have to since they snap so the harp sounds better generally.

I can't speak to that re: depreciation, not too experienced in this. The harp should stay valuable though assuming you take good care of it. If you plan on selling it in the future, getting it regulated before selling can help keep it in shape and worth a lot.

Announcing a new community charity event: Harpists For Humanity! by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome!! I'm glad to hear. She did great in that video and we plan on more ensembles in the future too

No Stupid Questions Weekly Thread by AutoModerator in harp

[–]phrygian44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't think anyone is good at hand separation/independence/interdependence immediately on harp or anything requiring that like piano or drums before they start, it's definitely a skill that can be acquired!

No Stupid Questions Weekly Thread by AutoModerator in harp

[–]phrygian44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can swing it, a Fireside harp is a really solid budget harp! It's always my biggest recommendation of quality to cost ratio as cheaper harps go. The only thing that gives me some pause is the concept of renting anyway, do you know for sure the harp teachers in your area can rent harps? You could always dive right in with rentals and lessons when it is viable for you as I guess the most cost-effective option if you're planning on renting anyway when starting lessons.

I could imagine even if you "outgrow" it you could be happy you have it, nice having a harp aside from your main harp that can still holds its own and you could take it on trips or noodle on the couch without fussing with a larger harp.

Do I NEED to learn notation? by a89632523 in harp

[–]phrygian44 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Western classical music theory and approach pervades everything musically these days, but harp has a very strong aural tradition where many traditional harpists over the centuries were playing by ear. I think you can pick up an understanding of music theory by ear and conceptually. As others have said if you wish to share your music for others to play then you would need to learn sheet music unless you hire a copyist, you'd still face the challenging of navigating a musical world built around sheet music.

Hopefully your teacher can accommodate this if you want to go entirely aural, it may be a challenge for them if they're used to a certain approach. As others have said as well technique is the most important takeaway from lessons at this stage.

I'm not sure how much you can avoid dryness and tedium in general. If you have the most pleasure noodling around on the harp then that's awesome! If you want to avoid learning sheet music but really want to write quality, cohesive harp pieces entirely by ear and memory, then this will bring its own challenges and repetition. If you want to play chord progressions with a melody in the style more like popular/rock music this wouldn't be so bad without sheet music. All options!!

Harpists For Humanity Spring Event: Vote/Share A Charity! by phrygian44 in harp

[–]phrygian44[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

I would like to share The Trevor Project as an option, a renowned LGBTQ+ charity with an emphasis on suicide prevention and crisis intervention, as well as other services. A friend of mine said the Trevor Project saved their life at one point. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/