Baroque harp - Suite BWV 996 - arranged for triple harp

Part one of a performance by baroque harpist Robin Ward at the School of Philosophy in Wellington New Zealand. 8 september 2007


Robin's CD can be purchased as a download from:

CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinward
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/no-pedals-attached/id372091781
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Pedals-Attached/dp/B003MIX676/ref=dm_ap_alb2

To read more about Robin visit his website; http://www.robin-ward.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bach
• Suite
• BWV996
• Robin
• Ward
• triple
• harp
• music

[clodoaldoljr]

I'd like to know about that instrument - does it have a system for obtaining chromatic notes such as levers or pedals; the strings sound as if they are not gut, am I right?

[seb25arpa]

Hi there, on the triple harp the chromatic notes are staggered in the middle row, so you reach between the white notes from either side to access the black notes in the middle. The harp is in itself chromatic, so you don't need pedals or levers.The harp on the clip is strung with gut strings.

Best

Robin

[seb25arpa]

thinking more closely about your sound board, and assuming its strung as I think it is ... I would have made my sound board a little thinner overall, and because the grain runs width-ways I would have only put two reasonably light string ribs down the inside of the soundboard following the string holes. Did you insert staples above each string hole in the soundboard?

[8R8]

i'm reading m.galassi's writings about technique and don't see what she is after: she clames her fingers were even more perpendicular (to strings) than in classic harp, in the same time she claims using 'thumb-under'. Thing is that it is absolutely impossible to use thumb-under with fingers perpendicular to strings because the thumb gets to be the "highest" thing then. she claims using lots of "last phalangue" approach...

[seb25arpa]

Yes, having the fingers perpendicular to the strings is important, especially when your trying to play through to the middle row. And I definately do not advocate the thumb under principle. I tend to aim for the fingers and thumbs to be in almost a straight line that parallels the sound board ... maybe it will be easier to email you my notes on beginning to play

[androgynae]

I am a classical pianist and a former oboist I have deep respect for the harp in all of its forms and the artists that have made it their mission do define and re define the instrument even as far as Andreas Vollenvieder did (sp) classical harp is my favorite though.

[8R8]

that will be great, thanks!! i send you message in here.

i have to try the method you talk about more consistently. the one i talk about can make you think of simply the way one puts fingers on the piano keys, except that i use slight wrist-swings for producing quicker groupes/secquences of notes in a row. i tried inner raw perpendicular but touch with nails more than in thumb under...i guess it's matter of getting used to

[8R8]

Haha--i'm a little frustrated with the notation: i feel at somewhat an "ease" with the strings (from lute) but takes me ages to read some simple Bach piece...at least like this i learn it by heart (on lute we very rarely learn by heart--hehe). Now after one week of "playing" it's getting better...My biggest problem was to let go from the habit of seeing trebble and bass all in the same line as in lute tablature :) watching you reading smoothly is encouraging for me :D

[8R8]

UUh, almost missed post-they send email for replies :D Yes, above each hole istuck there small staples so they are the first thing that the string touches. I think it would cut through otherwise...thinner soundboard will be as good, as you say, more resonant. i didn't calculate exact lenghts ('dreamt' it from scratch no plan-lol), it sounds best tuned at 435. This is tense but rings fine. my lowest 4 strings are somewhat silent...

[8R8]

braces is good a thing, i feel, because they are light (if pine) and even not densely spaced they give amazing strength (similar to Buckminster Fooler's tensegrity grid). If i make abother harp for me, with accoustic intent this time, i will surely use braces. I hesitate between cedar or, if more portable model, sculpted maple... Soaked fabric sounds interesting: must provide agile resistance against any cracking tendencies!