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Harp height
Do you have to play your harp with the legs on? I have a lever harp, Ogden. I have a lot of trouble sitting a lot, so I need to make sure it’s comfortable. Is this weird?
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14 Replies
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That’s not a weird question at all. I’m not familiar with the Ogden’s legs or how they attach. Maybe someone else can answer that part of your question.
There are a couple of videos that might help. Christy-Lyn talks about harp height in her beginner series, which you might have already seen, https://youtu.be/uRok8KoLBpQ?t=1
Laurie Riley has an excellent video on harp ergonomics. She says you need to adjust your instrument to yourself, not yourself to your instrument. She talks about harps that are too tall at 17:28. https://youtu.be/k4a1HbRJSns?t=1048
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Thank you Judiann for responding 🙂 I have watched all the videos and I think I just have it too high and I’m trying to make my seat higher – I think I will just have to have it on the floor. I have issues with nerves in my pelvic floor, so sitting in general is not good and sitting for a long time is not recommended. I guess I should have thought about that more before my purchase, but I was just so happy to start 🙃
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Judiann, I wanted to thank you for recommending the video from Laurie Riley, it was PERFECT! Just what I needed to feel better with starting the harp. Thank you! 🙏🏽😊💗
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Judiann, Thanks from me, too, on the Laurie Riley video!! It was very informative. Even tho I have had my harp for one year there are things I am going to check myself on. I learned alot.
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If you have nerve issues with your PF, you might consider standing and playing the harp. The harp would have to be set on it’s own stand — a sturdy wooden box of some sort. I’ve seen videos of harpists standing to play. It actually looks quite liberating. If I can remember where I’ve seen them, I’ll post the links later.
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Hi Sylvia, thank you for responding 🙂 Yes! Please send the links if you can find them! Yea! Thank you!😊
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Here are two videos of a chromatic harpist playing while standing. (While she has a different sort of harp, the concept remains the same.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax2_FupiyKg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOL1f1VGsyk
I’ve seen footage of people playing a Celtic harp in a similar way as well.
Some people with pelvic floor issues also have difficulty standing for a length of time, so you might want to test the concept out by stacking some floor foam mats (remarkably sturdy stuff) to raise the height of the harp and see if that works for you.
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Thank you SO MUCH Sylvia! 😊😊😊 You are so sweet! I will look at these videos – wonderful!
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I watched them both – WOW 🤩 It’s possible to stand and play!!! Yea! Thank you again!!! 💖
What’s funny, since I watch Christy-Lyn’s videos so much, I am a technique snob! 😂 I kept saying, “she’s not closing her hands right”. Who am I to judge, I can’t even play the first song with 2 fingers! 😬🤣
Sylvia, I actually have vulvodynia which is pelvic floor issues to the max 🥺 Thank God I am on a medication and physical therapy that helps with the pain and I only have flair ups once and awhile. A few years ago was my lowest point and it was horrible. I would never want anyone to ever go through what I did, 8 doctors in 3 states and no one knew what was wrong with me for over a year! If you know anyone that is having PF issues, please have them contact me and I will share all that I know ❤️
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So glad those videos were helpful to you! And I’m glad so your PF situation is under control.
The harpist in the videos has different technique because she is playing a 6/6 cross-strung harp. (I play one, too). There are two courses of strings that cross in the middle to form an X. It’s great that you could pick up on the fact that her hand technique is different! With the cross-strung, you can’t close your hands very much with the cross being there, so the technique is totally different. You can play beautifully moody chromatic pieces, however, without the use of levers or pedals (well, after LOTS of practice). The learning curve is pretty steep. I do enjoy having both lever and cross-strung harps in my life 😉
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WOW! I had no idea! That sounds really hard, I’m having trouble with the 1 string, not crossed! Eek! Keep up the work on your harps 😊 would love to see you play the cross strung harp! 😁
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Hi Jennifer,
I just came across this video of a Celtic harpist playing while standing:
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Thank you so much Sylvia! 😊. You are so sweet to have sent this ❤️
Rachel is amazing and I did ask her about her standing position – I’ll let you know how she responds 😁.
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Thank you Titia for responding 🙂 Yeah, I just bought a used Ogden and it only came with the 8″ legs unfortunately – not sure why the seller did not return the 4″, but that would probably be the best for me. Thank you for the website – $200 bucks I just can’t swing now with all this expense with the harp, books, strings 😭 I will have to see if maybe the Chicago store that I bought them from would have an extra 4″ laying around…
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