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Double Stung Harps
Do double-strung harps require a different technique? Or is it just like play a regular harp?
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44 Replies
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A double-strung harp is completely a different instrument compared to a normal harp. Improvising on it is very easy and definitively fun. The right and left hand are completely equal, so you learn to play the same stuff with both hands. Because you can’t see the right strings so easily, you learn to play blind, which is very helpful also for your play on the normal harp.
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Oh, wow! I didn’t even think of that – I won’t be able to see the right side! Yes, playing blind will eventually help, but I think it would be very frustrating!
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I’ll look at Rees. But I never heard of the other one. I can’t see your post while I’m writing. The one beginning with V.
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I looked up Vavra. They custom-make harps to your specifications. Very nice.
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I set my fireside double strung harp on a box to play. And yes, I requested teh first fireside double strung from Dave because of the ability to install levers! But it is very heavy for its size. Mine weighed 10 lbs with no levers on it. But mine is the first so I don’t know what Dave is using now for the Neck Pillar and if it as heavy/thick as mine was.
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I tried weighing just the wooden frame, which I really couldn’t do because it doesn’t stand on its own. Doing my best, it weighed 7 lbs. But I did support it a bit. When the whole thing is done and it can stand on its own, I will weigh the whole thing. I’ll let you know what it weighs. But, yes indeed! It is heavy!
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The box probably adds resonance to the sound of the harp.
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That is how I weighed my Fireside. It would not register on the scale by itself!
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Ok. Good idea. I’ll watch. Thank you.
I’m thinking of building a double strung Fireside harp.
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No. Not instead. I have already paid for the Zephyr and I’m waiting… waiting… waiting… waiting.. waiting….
I’m very scared and curious to understand how levers are put in. I watched the Fireside videos on how to build the harp. It’s a fun project for me, and perhaps it will inspire me to not be afraid of buying a MusicMaker harp kit and building a Voyager (34 string) or Cheyenne (36-string) harp. First, baby harp. Then, maybe grown-up harp. LOL 😆
I built a Warning harp, but I did it at a workshop where the owner coached us. It doesn’t have levers and is very limited in its use. But I got a little experience by doing it. The Fireside will be more complex because, first – no workshop, I’m on my own. Second, it will be double strung. And third, it will have levers, which I will have to install myself – that’s the part I’m really scared of!
If I can do it successfully, maybe I will try building a big harp from a kit, rather than buying an expensive pre-built harp. Who knows? Life is an adventure, and requires experimentation. If I don’t succeed at the Fireside harp, that will also be an answer. 🤔
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I just uploaded a photo of the Waring harp I built.
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Excellent question. I have to think about this because I don’t have a good answer.
Which “classical” sounding lever harps do you suggest? L&H? Any others? American only; I don’t want to order from overseas.
I guess I just like the “look” of the Triplett. And I like the sound of the HG Phoenix. I’ve also looked at the range of notes; the HG Phoenix has F-A. The others have A-C.
What do you suggest?
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And I’m impressed that you remember I said I am fond of classical music! But that doesn’t mean that I don’t also like Celtic music, or standards.
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Well, I’m impressed! You have a Prelude and an Excalibur! Wow! I don’t know if you were in Heather’s classes this past weekend. Someone there had an Excalibur, perhaps it was you? Heather’s comment was that the Excalibur is intimidating. She meant it as a joke, of course.
I copied and saved your list for future reference and research. I have a ways to go, so I have time to consider everything.
Thank you for your well-thought out reply. I do appreciate hearing different perspectives. And you gave me a new way to consider the question.
How would you evaluate Triplett in this regard?
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I went to the Dusty Strings website. But I didn’t listen to the Boulevard. Instead, I went to the FH34. That sounded beautiful. I played all the different wood tones that were there. Fun.
L&H and Camac seem so out of my league! I enjoy listening to Josh Layne, so that’s a vote for Camac. Heather also has a Camac, a Ulysse. Christie-Lyn has an Ogden. Perhaps I should pay attention to what the teachers have.
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I also found Carolyn Deal’s (major leader in the double-strung harp community) “Mastery With Ease” exercise book quite valuable to get me comfortable with the double strung in no time. http://www.southeasternharps.com/Books.html
I too made a Fireside as I wait for my Marini’s bass lap DS. It is a great little harp. I went without levers to keep cost and weight down since this was only meant to get make sure I could get into a double strung and to helped me over for the wait.
Best of Luck!
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Thank you for the suggestion. I had found Carolyn’s YouTube videos and Patreon page, but I still did not know about her instruction book. I now have 3 instruction books to choose from: One by Laurie Reilly, one by Cynthia Shelhart, and now this one by Carolyn Deal. Who knew there was so much? A while ago, somewhere on this website, I posted the question – Is the technique different for a double-strung than for a single-strung. Well, the answer seems to be yes!
Thank you for telling me about this. I will take a look at her book. 😍
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I forgot to comment on your double-strung Marini. I have been tooling around online looking at all the double-strung harps out there. One by Dusty Strings, several by Blevins, several by Stoney End, and the two by Marini. I thought the Marinis looked odd seeing how the soundbox is built between the rows of strings. The harp seems very narrow to me. I’m wondering how it will feel to hold. How are you planning on playing it? On a stand? With a strap? I’m very curious to know how it feels to you once you get it. Please do follow up here on Christie-Lyn’s site to tell us all about your new and unusual harp. I’m sure everyone will be interested. I know I will be!
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I’m curious about something, but I don’t know if you know the answer. Why would anyone order a harp from Carolyn Deal when they can order it directly from Stoney End? Just wondering….
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I chose Carolyn’s book since the ones by Laurie Reilly and by Cynthia Shelhart were mainly using Celtic songs. I am not a fan of Celtic music, and really did not feel I needed a song book. Since this was not my first harp I felt I needed exercises to get me comfortable getting used to the double set of strings and that is exactly what Carolyn’s book did for me.
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I don’t know. They are big and impressive. I have time to decide. But you have given me a lot to think about.
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You’re right that it’s not what I want to hear, but not because I have to start with my forever harp. I bought an inexpensive McHugh harp that I am learning on. No, the reason I don’t want to rent is because it’s hundred of dollars, and I consider that to be money thrown away. I would rather go to a fair like Somerset and play with all the harps there, all collected in one place and available to play.
Yes, I base some of the decision on looks, but also on sound. I keep listening to videos of the Lewis Creek Phoenix. I love the sound of it. You mentioned FC – what does that refer to?
And yes, again, I do believe that solid wood is preferable to laminated. You really are astute! You see clearly to the heart of things that are left unsaid. But I don’t have to start with my forever harp – I have 3 inexpensive harps at this point: a mid-size Muzikkon McHugh, a Waring, and soon a Fireside. All very inexpensive. I’m waiting for a Triplett Zephyr which is from a good company, not cheap, but not expensive due to its small size. I have plenty of time before I buy a large harp. No rush. I will go to a fair, maybe two. I’ll play around there. Research online. Listen to videos and sound samples. Ask people, like you, their opinions. Take everything into consideration.
I have lots of time to make a decision. There are two factors, besides my ignorance, giving me time: money and space. I’m saving for a large harp; that will take a while. And space – where I live is too small for a large harp; I have nowhere to put it. But I hope to move within a few years to a new state (I’m in the US) where the cost of houses and property taxes will both be much lower, and therefore, the houses will be larger. Then I will also have space. So I have plenty of time to think this through.
You have given me very good advice and suggestions. I will open myself to considering L&H, and Camac. Right now, I like the Lewis Creek Phoenix for its sound, not looks. And the Triplett for its looks, and its sound. But you’re right – the teachers have Camac – Josh Layne and Heather Downie. And Christy-Lyn has L&H. That’s worth paying attention to.You’re right that it’s not what I want to hear, but not because I have to start with my forever harp. I bought an inexpensive McHugh harp that I am learning on. No, the reason I don’t want to rent is because it’s hundred of dollars, and I consider that to be money thrown away. I would rather go to a fair like Somerset and play with all the harps there, all collected in one place and available to play.
Yes, I base some of the decision on looks, but also on sound. I keep listening to videos of the Lewis Creek Phoenix. I love the sound of it. You mentioned FC – what does that refer to?
And yes, again, I do believe that solid wood is preferable to laminated. You really are astute! You see clearly to the heart of things that are left unsaid. But I don’t have to start with my forever harp – I have 3 inexpensive harps at this point: a mid-size Muzikkon McHugh, a Waring, and soon a Fireside. All very inexpensive. I’m waiting for a Triplett Zephyr which is from a good company, not cheap, but not expensive due to its small size. I have plenty of time before I buy a large harp. No rush. I will go to a fair, maybe two. I’ll play around there. Research online. Listen to videos and sound samples. Ask people, like you, their opinions. Take everything into consideration.
I have lots of time to make a decision. There are two factors, besides my ignorance, giving me time: money and space. I’m saving for a large harp; that will take a while. And space – where I live is too small for a large harp; I have nowhere to put it. But I hope to move within a few years to a new state (I’m in the US) where the cost of houses and property taxes will both be much lower, and therefore, the houses will be larger. Then I will also have space. So I have plenty of time to think this through.
You have given me very good advice and suggestions. I will open myself to considering L&H, and Camac. Right now, I like the Lewis Creek Phoenix for its sound, not looks. And the Triplett for its looks, and its sound. But you’re right – the teachers have Camac – Josh Layne and Heather Downie. And Christy-Lyn has L&H. That’s worth paying attention to.
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I started renting my L&H Troubadour VI from Atlanta Harp Center. They have a rent to own option. I could rent to see if I like it and then return it or keep paying on it and keep it. Since I am nowhere close to a harp center, I chose this course of action. I already had a small harp (Fullsicle) and had played my teacher’s older Troubadour. She is a professional harpist for a number of symphonies in our area and only uses L&H (pedal harps). I am pretty sure if take care of this one, I could get a really good price if I chose to sell it. Check out the Harp Buy and Sell pages on FB to see what harps sell for these days. I hope you find something you love playing!
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I believe that Carolyn offers some private classes as part of her package of purchasing the harp from her. She is the one that talked Stoney End to make their doubles; they designed it with her input. She is very approachable, so if you have any playing questions she would be able to help, and she teaches privately as well.
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Yes, I agree, Marini’s double strung harps are an odd shape. But in a way I think that makes more sense. Just doubling up strings actually seems an easy way out since it is not much to change from what you have been making. From what I have read the space between the double row of strings ends up being a dead-zone for sound. Changing the position of the sound board as Marini did is not really new though, as it has been used in the Chinese KungHou for a very long time.
Karen Peterson has a very detailed website of everything double. She plays from a Don Peddle DS; he sold the plans to Marini when he retired. This is a quote from her website about her harp “Again at Somerset➚, in 2007, I wandered into a double-strung workshop. I’d seen the beautiful, narrow harps of Don Peddle➚ and figured they couldn’t possibly sound as good as they looked. I had no interest in double-strung, but I was looking for something smaller to play in a therapeutic setting. I was surprised to discover the volume and richness of the double-strung harp, and I was excited by the new opportunities afforded by two rows of strings.” Here is her web site. https://www.enjoytheharp.com/learn-double-strung-harp
<font face=”inherit”>Also, for me, bass is important; there is a reason why I have been playing the cello for decades. I wanted a lap harp for portability and lightness. </font>Double<font face=”inherit”> makes sense when you can’t </font>have all<font face=”inherit”> the strings as full-size floor harp. I </font>held off getting a double for the longest time because they have plenty of upper register, but really no bass to speak of. I was thrilled when I heard Marini was planning to make a bass lap double! However, with their innovative design I feel I will not just be getting a lap harp with a few more bass strings, but one that I will love the sound of as well.
BTW – I did not see your name in the members of the “Double Strung Harp” group. You should join it. All the big names in the double strung harp world are on it: Carolyn D, Laura R, Karen P, Stephanie B, Cynthia S, Deette P B, Anne C G.
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Yes, Dusty too.
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Do you know anything about Blevins? They are very reasonably priced. Is that good or bad, I wonder.
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That was a very interesting reply. Thank you.
I have two questions:
1. What is the Double-Strung Harp Group? And where would I find it?
2. Which of the Marini double-strung harps are you getting? I saw there were two.
Well, there’s another question, too, which I already asked before. How do you hold and balance such a narrow harp?
I never considered a double strung harp before. My eyes get dizzy enough trying to focus on a single row of strings. But when I wanted a small harp with levers, but with an extended range, I decided to get the Fireside as a double-strung. Now, all of a sudden, I have become very excited about it. I have been reading all the different teachers’ websites and reading the descriptions of all the double-strung harps out there. It’s a whole new world.
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I just looked at the Marinis again. I guess you are getting the 30 x 2 strings, with the bass strings.
Which wood did you select?
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I just looked at Karen Peterson’s page. Thank you for sharing that with me. I hadn’t heard of her before and I wasn’t aware of this information. Thank you.
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1. What is the Double-Strung Harp Group? And where would I find it?
Sorry, I meant to say the Facebook Double-Strung Harp group
2. Which of the Marini double-strung harps are you getting? I saw there were two.
The Bass lap double. Again, I would not be getting a lap or a double without some lower bass notes. I feel they bring soul to what is played..
Well, there’s another question, too, which I already asked before. How do you hold and balance such a narrow harp?
They have stands, but I guess that would be if I wanted to play indoors as if it was a regular harp. who knows, there are others who once they got used to a double got rid of their singles since there are more options with a double. I want to be able to move around with it, travel with it, take it outdoors. I anticipate a step is necessary. As it is I prefer to play my Fireside leaning on something and not just on me. I guess I am more concerned with the sound I get from the instrument and I trust I will be able to play it comfortably somehow.
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Thank you for your suggestion. I’m sure I will love any harp that I buy. I’m enjoying what I own now.
I wish you well in your quest too. I hope you enjoy the harp you are playing too.
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That is very helpful. Thank you. I will probably get it. There’s so much out there!
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Wow! They have, like, a hundred different doubles! She did that? That’s interesting. I saw another harpist on YouTube talking about her input into the Stoney End doubles too. So, I think there’s additional input there. Tracie Lin, I think her name was. She also plays doubles.
And just last week, I didn’t know any of this! I feel like a whole new world has opened before me!
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Yes, that is the one. Cherry. Sue at Marini told me there really was not much difference between the sounds of cherry or walnut (the other I was considering), and my floor Aoyma 36-string is walnut, and I love how Cherry ages and darkens with time.
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Cherry is very beautiful. Use it in good health all your life! I hope you get it soon, but I know that’s a dream. LOL. I just got my Fireside kit. That will keep me occupied until my Zephyr arrives. Please keep us posted on the arrival of your Marini!
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I just got the Fireside kit and boy is that wooden frame heavy!!! Maybe your Marini will be lighter. They post a photo of a man wearing it with a strap.
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I had read something like that. They have a lot of double-strung harps too. If I want to pursue it, I’ll ask the community about them later.
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Yes , the Fireside double is heavy; it is basically 2 column pieces from the single. In fact the first one made, at the request of @kristen.barry was just that – two glued together. Now Dave is making them as one piece.
If you need a gig bag I cannot recommend this one enough. Sarah is actually a friend of Dave from Backyard Music and lives around the corner from him. The bag is super-sturdy and fits perfectly as it is made for the fireside.
(Sue at Marini harps told me the bass lap double is 10.5 pounds)
Enjoy the journey of making your harp! I love mine, especially since my hubby made it and I could decorate it to make it special! Here is a picture of mine.
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I love the way you decorated it! And thank you for telling me about the bag. Dave didn’t mention that.
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Have you weighed it? When mine is put together, I intend to weigh the whole thing.
Very interesting that the first double Dave made was at Kristen’s request. It would never have occurred to me. I bought it because I knew it existed.
This harp will make me happy until the little Zephyr comes. The Zephyr is single-strung, and it weighs only 4.5 lbs! I will be very happy to carry that around the house! The Fireside will serve until then. But it will also do something else – introduce me to a double-strung, which I never considered before. Maybe my “grown-up, forever” harp will be a double…??? That was never a thought in my head before this past week. It’s so interesting how life unfolds.
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I have a Waring which is roughly the same size. It is also quite nice considering that it is made of cardboard. The limitation I find is that it lacks levers with no option to install them. This Fireside will be made with a full set of levers.
I like to sit with the Waring, not stand. And I often sit with it at the kitchen table. I stabilize it by having it tight between me and the kitchen table. If I’m not in the kitchen, this is funny, I think. I always wear either skirts or dresses. So I use the bottom of my dress as a sling for the harp, and it works!
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Yes, if memory serves it was the ability to have levers that made Kristen ask to have a double made.
Interesting about the dress helping in the hold position!
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Well, that’s certainly the way to do it! Great idea!
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