Hey there, any help from the local harpist population would be SO appreciated! Viva Strings seemed to be the logical place to post this, though mods please move if necessary!

I bought the music for grade 1 harp a while back and then... got completely distracted! I have suddenly realied that, unless they don't change the pieces on the syllabus, this means I need to take the exam by next spring unless I want to go out and buy a whole bunch more music! Whoops...

I have a couple of problems though, and no teacher!

1) my harp is very ringy, it resonates for a long time - would I get penalised in scales for that if I don't stop the strings? how about in pieces? anyone know? (it's a blade harp/clarsach by the way, not a pedal harp)

2) two of my tuning pins have somehow got slightly misplaced or something, so when I sharp those strings (which I have to do for at least one of my pieces for one, and all three for the other I think) the tone is not as nice/clear. Do you think I'd get heavily penalised for that at grade 1? The guy who made it lives wel over a hundred miles away and I have no independent transport, so I really don't want to have to take it down to him. Any ideas what may be causing this would be helpful too! I need to email the maker and see if he has any thoughts...

3) what's the usual fingering for scales? and arpeggios too actually, though I'm guessing that for one octave scales 4-3-2-1 would probably be OK...?

4) um, any other hints??!

edit: 5) how fast should I aim to take scales and arpeggios?

Dont know if I can help but this place will know people who can help you...
http://www.pilgrimharps.co.uk

They have a list of all our local harp teachers. As it is nearly the end of term for me I dont think I will get to see our harp teacher to ask your questions.

Good luck with the exam

They recently changed the harp syllabus so check the pieces before you start learning them, but they have no plans to change them again in the next 5 years (I asked....).

There is one error at grade 1, they will permit non-pedal harpists to play the Purple Bamboo (pentatonic- needs B sharp and E sharp so your harp must be tuned to C).

Ringing- damp after every scale and arpeggio, but not during. Depends on the piece, but there may be a few places where damping during the piece will really add to an impression of competence, but not after every LH chord. If there are any long rests in the LH or maybe cadential points in the piece, and of course at the end. The main thing to avoid is any buzzing if you replace a finger on a moving string.

Levers- either the lever itself has twisted slightly relative to the string (loosen screws, put back in position, tighten screws) or maybe the bridge pin between the lever and tuning pin has pushed in or out (is it the same height as the others). It is a Peter Brough isn't it? I would email/ring him and ask him to talk you through adjusting them. Examiners are supposed to take the quality of the instrument into account, but it is much nicer to have a well adjusted harp. Lever adjustments need care and patience, but aren't impossible if you are happy fixing bikes and suchlike.

One octave scales 432143212341234 and arpeggios 4321234. Make sure the fingers sound even, especially the thumb and 4th around the turn and on a ringing harp that the G of a C arpeggio and the B of the scale (and equivalent) don't sound too staccato or buzz. Speed, I would say note = 120 was a good speed, but don't sacrifice security for speed, particularly when learning them, note = 60 or slower is a lovely practice speed.

Good luck un-neglecting your harp.

Thanks for the link frumpybabes - I didn't realise pilgrim kept a list of teachers!


Phew - that's good to know. Yup, I have the more recent pieces since the syllabus revamp.


*nods* OK that's really helpful - thank you!


Yeah I keep meaning to email him... yes it's nicer to have a well adjusted harp!! I won't worry too much for grade 1 but it does annoy me to get buzzing when my harp sounds so lovely when it's all working right. I had to replace a string for the first time in a LONG while the other day - man that was nerve-wracking, they last so long I forget how to do it - got there in the end ok.


Lovely - thanks everso much erard!