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34 Sufficient?
Josh Layne says you don’t need more than 34 strings. Just make sure the bottom is low C.
https://youtu.be/8m-vBBdJY7cJosh Layne says you don’t need more than 34 strings. Just make sure the bottom is low C. https://youtu.be/8m-vBBdJY7c
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15 Replies
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Pretty much.
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I would answer differently – IF your bottom is a C, you don’t need more than 34 strings. I’ve never seen the point of adding more strings at the top. But I’ve played a few pieces where I would have liked to have more strings in the bass. So if you find a harp that has 2-4 extra strings below that low C, and you’re still happy with the harp’s dimensions, go for it.
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I tend to agree with you on this. I think 34 string C-C is the minimum requirement. (Unfortunately, I have a 29-string.) But it seems to me that if you can afford more strings, then more is better. So I have been looking at two: one A – C, and one F – A. The general consensus, it seems, is that the top B and C and unneeded. The bottom F and G could potentially be helpful, but probably also unneeded. But they add resonance. On the other hand, the 34-string would save about $1,000. It’s dizzying. But I lean toward thinking, if I can afford those lower strings, get them. And I will be able to afford them because I’m saving up bit by bit, month by month. Getting the extra strings just means waiting a few extra months for extra saving.
The question of reach is entirely different. I will probably buy sight-unseen. So I won’t know if I can reach the bottom strings until it’s in my house – after it’s bought and paid for. Hmmmm…. Don’t know what to do about that. Measure the length of my arms? Compare it to the width of the harp? I guess that’s an idea.
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Generally speaking the more strings you can get the better. In the case of a lever harp though, I don’t really have a lot of use case for more than 34 strings (with the bottom being a C) so even if I could afford two extra strings (and I do have a 36 strings lever harp) it is not like I am actively using the extra strings. One could get a 40 strings lever harp, but I highly doubt that I would be able to reach the levers (especially the bottom ones) with my short arms which really impedes my abilities to play music that have a lot of accidentals. My 36 string is quite a bit taller than my 34 string, and I am generally way more comfortable playing music with a lot of accidentals on my 34 string than my 36. Money is obviously a big factor, but how you use the harp would also come into play as well. What kind of music do you like to play? And what kind of harp(s) would work best for those music? Those could be interesting questions to explore.
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You always have such interesting comments. I really enjoy reading them.
I don’t know what I will be doing in the future. I’m such a beginner now. I do have a preference for classical music in general, but I don’t ever expect to get a pedal harp. So over the year, as I save up, I will continue to explore what I might get. Arm length is a good question. Like you, I have short arms. So much to consider. I hope I can go to Somerset next summer and play with the different harps.
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Let’s just say I have spent a lot of time thinking about which harp(s) to get since we don’t have a lot of space at home so we have to be thoughtful with the big items that we bring into the house. 😅
Classical music tends to have a lot more accidentals and are generally more suitable to be played on the pedal harp. With the lever harp getting more and more popular in the last couple of decades though, there is now a lot more classical music transcriptions or arrangements for the lever harp in the market. Here is an example of how I take advantage of my ability to reach the levers not just with my left hand (which is usually used to flip levers) but also with my right hand in order to maintain a steady pace while playing the piece: https://youtu.be/hraEo9_93j8 You can see in here how much higher the levers are on my bigger harp. It takes more distance for my left hand to reach the levers, and it won’t be possible for me to reach them with my right hand: https://youtu.be/dQvVtpSDBMw
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Wow! Amazing! You play so well.
It was interesting watching you move the levers with your right hand instead of your left!
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Thank you. I have my teacher Josh Layne to thank for this. He is not shy about flipping levers and got me playing pieces with lever changes fairly early on.
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Oh my! Josh Layne! I’m so impressed!
Do you do Skype lessons? I like his Harp Tuesday on YouTube. Well you and he make a good team.
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Yes I take lessons on Skype. His Harp Tuesday videos are great!
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Those are really good points!
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I don’t know why so many lever harp luthiers tend to add in more notes in the upper range as opposed to those lovely deep bass notes. I guess one reason I can think of is it is less expensive to make 36 or 38 string harp with additional high notes, but getting to charge more because it’s 36 or 38 strings instead of 34. To be fair, that is a very cynical take on it and I definitely could be wrong. I’m with you in that it wouldn’t be worth it to go up from a 34 to a 36 or 38 unless those extra notes are in the bass – and if my short arms could reach them.
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Here is a nice chart from the internet with harp strings and octaves. You can print it out and mark your string range of your harp(s).
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Neat chart. However, keep in mind there are many variances. I just ordered a 22-string harp that is C – C, which is not shown on this chart. I am also considering buying a 38-string that is either F – A or A – C. Neither of which is on this chart. So the chart is helpful in general, but not looking at specific models of harps.
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No, I wouldn’t say I “got my answer.” I would say, I heard different opinions. I added Josh Layne’s opinion to the mix. That’s how I see it. I don’t think there is one definitive answer. It all depends what music different people come across.
The woman I had been corresponding with regarding the Lewis Creek 38-string harp which goes all the way down to F said that she uses those 2 bass strings, the F and G, and that she needs them. So, there isn’t one definitive answer for everyone. Just lots of opinions, and then we make our own decisions.
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