The sun is shining!! Two days in a row!! But the temps are rising, and after I got a facebook post from Sue Richards showing the harp she had been tuning that exploded in her arms, in pieces, snapped at the neck, and read the comments from other harpers that they had seen (or had) the same thing happen in the same spot- I panicked! I have never babied my harps (while trying to keep them reasonably humidified and temperate) because I felt if they were used to "perfect" all the time, I could never take them out to other places where conditions would be so different. So far that has worked for me... but my new harp is so new and still settling in, when I saw the photos, and the weather forecast, I put the new baby back in his/her case and plunked it in the basement, where I do have a dehumidifier running, and the temp is about 68 degrees right now. Not the place to practice, but I don't want the new glues melting as the strings are getting settled! Yikes! There is no way I can provide perfect in my house- so this is the best I can do for now. And I loosened the strings on the big harp, as well. Till things even out a bit, that is what I am doing...
So glad to hear that it is not only MY red and blue strings that disappear in the lights on stage! Such a disorienting place- if the lights are too bright or too dim, I am in trouble. I definitely prefer being "background music" than performing front and center! Will have to try and catch Pam and her hubby at the farmers market- they sound SO good together! If you have a chance, grab a cellist, as harp and cello, or harp and flute, also make great duos. AND, I am much more comfortable on stage if it is NOT all ME!
Have fun!! Stay cool!
Welcome!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how old Sue's harp was, what it had 'been through' and what kind!
Forced heat, I think is the worst thing of all for a harp or any musical instrument. All of them love our new house with a radiant floor - yes the floor is 'warm' in the winter but not evenly and there are plenty of cool spots and the temp. and air seem to stay very steady. In summer it's even better, as it is simply cool and unchanging. I wish the sound - when you play - was more exciting, that is when a nice wooden floor would be much appreciated!
Thank you! It was actually her friend Suki's harp, and not that old, as it was still under warranty. She said it was a Kemper harp, but built from a wood he does not normally use...no idea what wood it was. My harp teacher here had one of her Irish harps do the exact same thing a year ago March, on its own while she was out! It had been a normal winter, but suddenly we got a heat wave around March 8, 2012, and this harp- made of elm- did not like the drastic change. I am worrying about my new one, just arrived and not completely settled in, and we have gone from cool and very wet to hot and very humid- and we have no ac at home! Oh well, you can only do the best you can!
DeleteShadowharp, re: the red and blue strings disappearing--I used to bring a white sheet with me in my harp case to put down on the floor--it really does help in both covering up the octopi of tangled wires and bringing the colour of the floor back to a neutral tone so the reds and blues can stand out again. I need to remember to do that again from now on.
ReplyDeleteI think someone once told me that Billy Jackson brings a black rug with him to do just the same thing. True??
ReplyDeleteCovering the floor sounds like a good idea- whether white or black or another solid. The lights may still wash the colors out, but at least the octopi tangles would be gone! Thanks!
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