Well, I was up way too late last night trying to put 2 new strings in the highest octave of my 34 string Kortier. I was only supposed to be replacing the F string, but snapped the neighboring E string because I was distracted and turned the wrong tuning pin! AArrgghh! I had checked online for videos of how to tie knots, and replace strings, to see if someone had tips or tricks to make what has- for me-usually been a very trying experience! I did learn that the center stick from Qtips makes a great anchor! And then I watched Sylvia Woods put the string up, around pull tie, etc...looks so easy for her, but these 2 strings needed a fair amount of slack, being so high, and after 2 or 3 times around and not quite catching.....aaaarrrrggghhh...the string began to crimp...and the slack began to twist, and I realized I needed a 3rd hand, and the heat and humidity in my living room began to rise, and I was a wreck. Take it out, start over...breathe, try again...calm down, it is only a string, for Pete's sakes! I must be a total numbnuts! I have put plenty of strings on in the past, but not for quite a while, now. Been very lucky til this crazy weather finally won. Anywho- once I am on a roll, it is not so hard, but relearning after a significant amount of time has passed, a real trial. I am not happy with the final results, as the string on the pin is not caught quite the way the rest on the harp are, but so far seem secure. What am I doing wrong?! Two hours for 2 strings is ridiculous! Mind you, the 2nd only took 15 minutes, but still that seems excessive. This is elementary stuff, but I have always dreaded the procedure- will do most anything to avoid a broken string- and the thought of restringing a harp just because it has been awhile? Yagottabekiddinme!
The good news is, actually spent time this week playing! Hooray!! The fingers still work!! Now to keep that up on a regular basis- even while fearing the potential broken strings in this weather!
Hope my sad tale of stringing woes does not get me booted off the blog for immaturity and general whineyness! Can't wait to hear about Somerset!
I commiserate, Shadow. The only people I know who are fully comfortable changing strings have been playing for decades or have worked in a harp store....... I once missed most of a session putting on a new string and at part of a class at Harper's Escape.... I have learned, for better or worse, that even if I don't like how it looks, if it's wrapped around the pin enough times it'll do. Q-tip tip is terrific!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reassuring me that I am not alone in this issue! So far, the 2 new strings are holding on! Where has July gone???!!!
Delete