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I am very much looking forward to joining the Ottawa Youth Harp Ensemble in a wonderful concert. It is called "First Catch Your Peacock". A detailed description of the concert as well as the poster can be found below. Hope to see you there!  The concert, “First Catch Your Peacock” offers a sampling of music from the Welsh bards and readings devoted to Welsh cuisine in homeland Wales and Welsh Patagonia, Argentina. The concert title is inspired by the opening instructions of a medieval Welsh recipe for the preparation of roast peacock to be served at banquet with feathers intact. Complementing the culinary readings, are Welsh and South American music for harp ensemble, Welsh airs for violin and harp, songs in Welsh and a violin sonata by G.F. Handel, who admired and wrote for Welsh harpists during his long sojourn in London. Interspersed with the music are readings from the “How Green Was My Valley” and its sequel “Up into the Singing Mountain” by novelist Richard Llewellyn, and from “First Catch Your Peacock – A Book of Welsh Food” by chef, Bobby Freeman.
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 Should you need to call the city of Ottawa at 3-1-1, you may hear my composition "Danse Royale" playing while on hold!
I'm pleased to announce that my submission was one of 35 tracks selected for the 2022 Music On Hold Playlist. You can access the whole playlist on Soundcloud When you start researching harps, one of the first questions is "how many strings do you need"? I recommend that you first rent a harp to get comfortable with the instrument and understand what you need from your harp. A beginner can get plenty of work done on a small harp (<32 strings). A small harp is also ideal for travelling. Some examples of small harps: Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 Salvi Juno 25 or 27 Fullsicle 26 If given the choice between a lap harp and a floor harp as your main harp, opt for the floor harp. The positioning is more comfortable and it will be an easier transition to a larger harp later. As you reach the advanced-beginner/intermediate stage, you may find that the smaller harp is too limiting. Larger harps offer a rich bass and more resonant tone. An instrument in the 33-40 range is appropriate for most harpists. Personally, I think 34 or 36 string harps have the best value. My main harp is a Salvi Livia 36 string harp (discontinued). A 36-string harp will go from a C2-C7 whereas other harps will add/remove a few strings from either the top or the bottom range, for example C2 to A6. Remember, as the number of strings increases, so will its size, weight and price. There are many brands and models to choose from so take your time to research and try as many harps as you can! Here are some suggestions: Lyon & Healy Ogden - 34 Strings Dusty Strings Ravenna - 34 Strings Josephus Moonspring (Made in Canada!) - 36 Strings Salvi Titan - 38 Strings Lyon & Healy Prelude - 40 Strings TLDR: Rent an instrument as a beginner and invest in a 34 or 36 string harp . It offers flexibility without being too large.  Playing music is very rewarding, especially when we are spending so much time at home these days. If you're considering the harp as your new instrument, here are some reasons why you should go for it:
1. It sounds beautiful from the beginning Some instruments sound awful during the first few weeks or months of practice. Luckily, the harp does not squeak or crack. Neither does a harpist need to worry about intonation once the harp is tuned. One can produce a wonderful tone from the very first lesson and easily learn melodies by ear. 2. It is a visual instrument If you've ever inspected a harp, you might've noticed that there are different coloured strings. The pattern is standard: Red/White/White/Blue/White/White/White. It helps the harpist distinguish between different pitches, with red meaning C and blue or black meaning F. The shorter the string, the higher the sound. Much like a piano, the notes are laid out in front of you so you simply find the desired string and pluck it. No struggling with fingerings or different positions. If you're taking lessons from a teacher, you can easily see what they are doing with their hands and do your best to replicate it. 3. It is rare When was the last time you heard a harp? How many harpists do you know? Listeners are often very excited and intrigued by the instrument. 4. It sounds great solo or with a group One can play rich solo pieces or accompany other instruments. Experiment with different instrument combinations! Hint: Piano parts can often be played on the harp. What is your reason for wanting to learn the harp? Browsing on Facebook, I saw an advertisement for a contest put on by Jeunesses Musicales Canada: Domicile Adoré/ Home Sweet Home Contest. The task was record an original composition based on the pitches Do-Mi-Si-La-Do-Re... get it? Here is what I came up with. You can vote for me until June 14. $1=1 vote https://jmcanada.fundkyapp.com/fr/concours-contest-do-mi-si-la-do-re/edition-2020/marianne-lin Being in self-isolation has given me more time with my harps and my computer than ever before. Whether you're a harpist looking for tricks or a curious reader, I'm glad you found me! I will try to post reflections, practical advice and personal updates here periodically. Happy harping!  2018 University of Ottawa Science Students' Association Formal Marianne plays at the Science Faculty's Formal Event at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa, ON March 24 2018 2016Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada (Irish Gaelic Festival) Marianne joins the Ottawa Youth Harp Ensemble Tamworth, ON June 26 2016 Les beautés de la nature. Marianne performs with Orchestre Philarmonique des Musiciens de Montréal (OPMEM) Église St-Édouard, Montréal May 14 2016 Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony directed by Alain Cazes Pollack Hall, McGill University April 2 2016 Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony directed by Alain Cazes Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, Queen's University March 31 2016  Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony directed by Alain Cazes Pollack Hall, McGill University February 18 2016  Marianne performs Maurice Ravel's 'Introduction et Allegro' for harp, flute clarinet and string quartet with Shane Culnan (flute), Rachel Norris (clarinet), James Enns (violin), Daniel Jiang (violin), Jack McKay (viola), Sahara von Hattenberger (cello) Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University February 2 2016  Sous les étoiles. Marianne performs with l'Orchestre Philarmonique des Musiciens de Montréal (OPMEM) directed by Philippe Ménard Salle Pierre-Mercure, UQAM January 23 2016 2015 Clayton Rego's Final Recital. Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University April 24 2015  Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University March 24 2015 2014 Marianne performs "Cinq Petits Dialogues " by Jean-Michel Damase with Elliott Harrison (marimba) Pollack Hall, McGill University December 4 2014 Watch the performance: 1st movement 2nd movement 3rd movement  Marianne performs with the McGill Symphony Orchestra directed by Alexis Hauser Pollack Hall, McGill University November 1 2014  Kiwanis Music Festival's 2014 Celebrations Concert St Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, Ottawa October 19 2014  Marianne places 1st at OMFA Provincial Competition Peterborough, ON June 6 2014  Marianne places 1st in Diploma Level at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival Trinity United Church, Ottawa May 3 2014  Marianne performs "Pastorales de Noel" by Andre Jolivet with Jennifer Shi (flute) and Alita l'Ecuyer (bassoon) Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University April 10 2014  Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz Clara Lichtenstein Hall, McGill University April 2 2014 2013 Marianne performs Parvis: Cortege et Danse by Bernard Andres with Scott Ross-Molyneux Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University November 24 2013 Watch the performance here  Marianne performs at the Canadian Music Showcase Freiman Hall, University of Ottawa November 16 2013  Marianne is featured in McGill's University Chorus concert Pollack Hall, McGill University April 8 2013  Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz. Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University March 19 2013 2012 Marianne performs the Serenade No 10 for Flute and Harp by Vincent Persichetti with flutist Michelle Kim McGill Chamber Music Ensembles Tanna Schulich Hall December 4 2012  Marianne is featured in the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival's "Rising Stars" gala St-Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Ottawa July 28th 2012  Marianne places 3rd place at the OMFA Provincial Competition Peterborough, ON June 10 2012  Marianne performs at the ORMTA Competitions Gala Ottawa Mennonite Church May 12 2012  Marianne places 2nd place in Grade 10 at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival
St Aidan's Anglican Church, Ottawa April 28 2012 |
AuthorHi, I'm Marianne: harp player, teacher, learner and collector. You may have noticed that there is not much info out there about the harp. I hope to answer all questions and perhaps encourage someone to start playing! Thanks for reading :) Archives
October 2022
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