[splitimage]

I'm really excited because I'm going to the Goderich Celtic festival this weekend. It's in a lovely town right on a beautiful lake, and they have the most amazing line up of performers scheduled. Grainne Hambley, who is an amazing Irish harpist is going to be playing. I've heard her play live once before and she's amazing. 2 days of being outdoors with live music should be amazing. I just hope it doesn't rain.

I just have to manage to not do anything stupid like buy another harp LOL. A local vendor who makes really nice celtic harps will be there and I know I won't be able to resist playing.

---splitimage

[bebop]

oh that sounds like fun! I have to wonder though...do you use all those strings on a harp? your newest one looks really large so it got me wondering how you reach the furtherest ones.

[splitimage]

Hi Bebop

Yes you use all the strings on the harp. A good celtic harp, that say a professional folk harpist would play would typically have between 36 and 38 strings, although some go up to 41. Most celtic and classical music that's been arranged for the harp falls within the range of what's playable on that type of harp.

Latin American music, which is what I usually play uses more deep base, so my prelude (38 strings) just wasn't cutting it. My new harp has 47 strings, and most music doesn't use the very high treble or the very low base, but there is music written that does. I'm learning one piece at the moment that uses the very bottom string on my new harp.

It's not actually that hard to reach the base - first off the harp is tilted backwards balanced on one shoulder, so you just have to lean forward and reach for the really deep base. I have no problem with it.

I'm actually thinking that I might like a true celtic harp in the 36-38 string range, that would be more portable than my floor harp but give me more range than my lap harp. But if I do that I'll definitely have to sell my Prelude and I'm really attached to it.

[bebop]

I once bought a guitar to learn to play but my fingers are too short for the neck on it. so I sold it. even my arms are very short so anything with a reach to it leaves me out. I am height challenged as well lol. I am only 5ft tall. no inches in there lol. I do love the sound of harp music. please do a video and post it for us! please? pretty please with sugar on top???

[seeker1950]

Split! A Celtic Festival sounds like lots of fun. Wish I could attend!
And Bebop! I have played the guitar, but not very well. I recently bought a guitar which is modified to be easier to play, with smaller neck and lower bridge.
Patty

[jbug]

I would love to go to a Celtic festival. I love Celtic music some of it just so happy. Makes you want to dance.

Jbug

[Karissa258]

What she said. Folk music like that makes me happy, and sometimes makes me want to dance too. I love Riverdance, the original one. I've got it on tape, and have a coffee table book about it.

[splitimage]

Well the music was great on Sat. Plus they had all kinds of vendors of handcrafted stuff and I bought some lovely jewellery - the only downside was it absolutely poured rain all day, and it was only about 15 degrees celsius and I hadn't thought to pack a jacket. So I was cold and wet. But the music was awesome - I bought a bunch of the performer's CD's. Then when I woke up this morning and saw that it was still raining I decided I couldn't take another day outside so I drove home early.

But I did meet Timothy Habinsky who is a local harp maker and had the opportunity to try out one of his models. It was really nice. I think the next harp I buy is going to be one of his. I need something that's more portable than my Prelude, yet has a larger range than my little lap harp. I was really glad he was there.

[Karissa258]

That sounded like you had a nice time despite the weather. I'm glad for you.