Your harp should be cleaned only with a very soft, 100% cotton cloth. Click the arrow to hear sylvia woods talking about some of the woods used to make our harps. Because a lot of the settling in and shapechanging happens right after a harp is built, new harps sometimes go out of regulation more quickly than harps that have been played for many years. Custom options include camac levers, decorative inlay, the dusty harp pickup. Harp care and feeding, plus answers to common technical questions about string buzzes, sharping levers, regulation and more. Read more and listen to the software generate mp3 at the bottom of the page. Tools for dusty strings threaded bridge pins and loveland levers. Please note that harp lever regulation can only take place if the strings are. The virginia harp center is proud to offer a unique lever harp rental policy. Pro harper marta cook on tuning lever harps in eflat major. The edition i have is from 1984 and harps have changed since then, but a harp technician could fill you in on the differences.
It is possible to take exams at grade 8 level and beyond on a 34 string lever harp. Whats the difference between a lever harp and a pedal. Includes jesu joy of mans desiring, sheep may safely graze, arioso. There is no obligation to purchase, making it a practical and inexpensive way for beginning harpists to try a harp for the first time or finance the harp of your dreams. Photos, prices, and detailed descriptions for each of our harp models. Our harps are hand crafted in rising sun, indiana, united states. The world of multiple keys and colorful chords will certainly wait until you know your way around your harp. Intended for students who are new to the harp, this how to video explains how to tune a lever harp.
Part time or casual players and new students can usually wait two to three years or more. Whats the difference between a lever harp and a pedal harp. The lever harp and key signatures my harps delight. Includes jesu joy of mans desiring, sheep may safely graze, arioso, air on the g string, sleepers awake.
The tone is clear, the action is smooth and the levers easily adjusted. The only tools needed are a tuning key and a regular screw driver. Clear instructions for learning to fake it on the harp from a master player in this style. A troubadour harp initially tuned in the key of c is used as an example. We want to improve understanding and communication between composers and harpists, and share each others curiosity, expertise and idealism. Chelsea thompsonbushong lever harp and pedal harp all levels 405 6409846 c. Lever harps 34 strings has become the standard compass for lever harps. The lever regulation tool kit contains one 14 wrench and ball driver set 32. It features a laboratory where composers and harpists can meet, learn and create together. Lever harp regulation and restringing bytown instruments.
Place the harp in a quiet space away from television, computer and telephone distractions. It is a sympathetic vibration caused by a harps pedal rod tubing assembly, the system of parts inside a pedal harps column that connect the pedals at your feet with the mechanism above your head. The problem is, i live in a place where i cant get one to visit me. Mikel harps rerepresnt a fusion of traditional wood crafting with computer assisted processes maker of lever harps, classic and celtic style harps at an affordable price.
Changing a disc on a pedal harp is not a very common repair, but highly. As well as servicing and repairing all makes of lever harp. Based on the concert harp principle of double forks, the strings are not moved out of alignment when. We cover all aspects of concert harp repair, restoration and servicing including emergency callouts. Harps at europes largest retailer of musical instruments fast delivery, 30day moneyback guarantee and 3year thomann warranty.
Each step is thoroughly explained and detailed demonstrations are included throughout. We have been making and selling harps for over thirty years. With lots of clear photos and detailed, stepbystep instructions, it allows any harp player to become his or her own lever technician. Harp repair i have been repairing folk harps for nearly 30 years. Then, when the lever is engaged, the string will no longer sound an exact half step above its open position. The result of many years of design and development, teifi semitone levers are made in our workshop and are engineered to provide a very smooth and quiet up on and down off lever action, producing an unimpaired tone when the lever is engaged. If you tune a harp in eb you can access 14 keys from eb major with three flats to e major with four sharps. Mikel sharping levers consist of 10 different types vary on size and tiny parts to suit the needs of the range of harp strings. I can do most any work on your lever harp, from major repairs and restorations, building new necks and pillars, building and installing new sound boards, as well as routine sharping lever regulation and reseating loose tuning pegs. Lever harps are diatonic, which means they are only able to play in a limited number of key signatures. Fixing a broken pedal rod on a harp is a complex repair.
This lever regulating tool kit, which comes complete with instructions is available for purchase. Chelsea teaches private lessons for children and adults at her studio, and at the university of central oklahoma. Oct 20, 2015 if you would like to read about it in greater depth, i have created a free pdf about the lever harp and key signatures that takes you through the process of working from the key of eb all the way to the key of e, lever by lever. Beginners guide to harps, general harp info, and specifics about how we build them. So for many years now ive wanted to hire a professional harp technician work on my harp for regular maintenance.
This size affords the best combination of portability and comfort while playing, with a generous compass which is suitable for the vast majority of lever harp pieces. Harp sheet music for study and examinations or simple enjoyment. Salvi mia lever harp 34 strings blue, comes with silkgut strings, height 123cm, width 68cm, weight 10kg, tonal range. Blue salvi mia lever harp 34 strings blue, comes with silkgut strings, height 123cm, width 68cm, weight 10kg, tonal range. If youre starting to hear some buzzing when you play, or if the harp doesnt sound in tune anymore when you flip up some of the levers to change keys, then youre probably due for a regulation. Whether you are installing additional levers on a partiallylevered harp, replacing a broken lever, or regulating existing levers, this guide will get you through it. New and used lever harps for students and professionals. Featured items newest items bestselling alphabetical. Harp levers should be regulated on a yearly basis to optimize the sound of the harp. Along the way, you will be introduced to or become reacquainted with key signatures and the circle of fifths. May 01, 2017 lever harps can go for years and years without any more maintenance than regular cleaning and string replacement. Harp semitone sharping levers celtic harp levers teifi harps. A sharping lever not, sharpening lever is a device which raises the pitch of the string one half step. Click the arrow to hear sylvia woods talking about how harps work, and the differences between lever harps and pedal harps.
Harp repair, harp restoration, harp servicing and lever harps. Now until april 30, 2020, purchase a salvi lever harp and receive a 15% discount additionally, we will donate the 15% from each sale to the world health organization and their covid19 solidarity response fund. If youre just beginning to play the harp, by all means tune it in c for now. A harp technician in your area can perform this service. Additionally, you will need to periodically wipe the instrument down. Whats the difference between a lever harp and a concert or pedal harp. Because of these things, we think they are the best choice of lever for your harp. Ideally, keep the harp in a room with a door, so that the space can be closed off from extraneous noise. Regulation will fix buzzes associated with the harps levers. Lever harps are often also called irish harps or celtic harps. Regulation is the process of bringing the levers back in tune, and is part of the ongoing maintenance of any lever harp. Key changes are accomplished by using the semitone levers.
Make it clear to your family that when you are practicing you are not to be disturbed. In our harps, we try to regulate sharping levers so that it perform precise upto once cent. Mikel harps rerepresnt a fusion of traditional wood crafting with computer assisted processes. These celtic harp tunings are for those with a certain amount of experience under their belts. This video explains how to tune a lever harp in the key of eb, including explanation and demonstration. Lever harps can go for years and years without any more maintenance than regular cleaning and string replacement. The levers can be easily adjusted by the harp owner. I would have to drive 3 hours away to bring my harp toread more. We provide an on road maintenance service, travelling to many different areas. Maker of lever harps, classic and celtic style harps at an affordable price. One common question that budding harpists often ask is about the difference between celtic or lever harps and concert or pedal harps these also sometimes are called classical harps. Some of our work is to repair old harps for enthusiasts who like the delicate and mellow resonance of older instruments this may be a 150 year old grecian erard or a 70 year old lyon and healy.
Regular maintenance by a professional technician is invaluable to the development of your instrument. We are highly experienced in restoration and repair of the older instruments and are able to advise you as to the best course of action for each harp. She also teaches through skype, and will travel to the homes of local students. Click the arrow to hear sylvia woods discussing the 3 types of harp backs. Carl swansons book is called a guide for harpists and is one of the best books on harp maintenance, care and repair that i have ever seen. Professional harpists once every 12 months semi professional once every 2 years students every 2. Mikel sharping levers are accurate in raising true half step. I generally recommend having a lever harp serviced once every five years or so, as long as the player isnt experiencing any problems. Compare sound clips, prices and features of dusty strings lever harps. Bell harp tech services harp regulation, restringing. A stepbystep guide to tuning your harp for the first time. I have hand made case for the harp, tuning key and sound pick up if you want to play through loud speaker. Tuning in lever harps in eflat major rees harps inc.
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