text: Forums » Amateur Harpists » Question for Tony
  replies to "Question for Tony"
  Well, I have been playing for somewhere between 15 and 20 years. To be honest I don't really remember the exact year I started, so probably about 17 or 18 years would be more accurate.
  I studied in NY with Ruth Berman Harris. I originally was interested only in Irish harp, but at that time finding someone who specialized in Irish harp was hard. I was lucky to find a harp and a teacher at all. Fortunately I found a wonderful teacher. Although she was trained as a classical harpist, and had made a bit of a name for herself in Jazz during the 40's and 50's, she was very open to what I wanted to do and worked with me. In return I opened my own mind up with regards to classical music.
  I have since worked on my own as well has taking many workshops and just trading info with other musicians. I have taught several students of my own and gig mostly in private venues part time. I attempted playing full time but found that I don't have that much dedication, and to really make a decent living you have to do a fair number of weddings. I hate playing weddings.
  Oh, and if there is anyone who's knowledge and experience I envy around here it is Saul. I don't always share the same opinion as him on things more related to personal taste, but if you have any really serious questions to ask he is the one I would go to. I'm good for the easy stuff, but Saul really knows his buisness.
  Hi Tony, What type/make of harps and how many do you have?
  I am currently saving my pennies for a Pedal harp. I used to rent one many years ago and am eager to get my feet on pedals again (not that I was ever particularly good with them).
  Tony, What pedal harp do you hope to get?
  I keep changing my mind. I probably won't know for sure until I have the money in hand, go to try a bunch, and fall in love with one in particular.
  I second Kay's assessment of you, you've always added quite a bit of great info to the conversations. I also am a fan of Saul. (Go Saul go!). Not that I believe in fan clubs or anything...
  Tony - I remember you saying that you play quitar. Which came first, guitar or harp. If it was quitar, did you have any problems with your thumb position when you started the harp? I know of 2 students (men) who play guitar and are now harp students as well and they are struggling with their thumb position. They can't seem to grasp getting that slight bend in the thumb. They are very much in the "hitch hike" mode. Do you think this is a result of their playing the guitar? Any suggestions on how to get them to correct it?
  While you're being peppered with questions, may I toss one in? When/where do you play your electric harp? For gigs?
  I've only heard one electric harp...and this one (link) on youtube. Perhaps many of you have already seen this.
  Onward!Rod C.
  Sorry all, I haven't been on the site for a few days. It's been a very busy week.
  I have to admit that on guitar I have very bad thumb position for that instrument. At least with the left hand. I do what in classical circles is a big no no, but among rock and blues is common, and that is I tend to hook my thumb over the guitar neck and use it at times to fret the low E string. I only tend to do it "correctly" when I am playing barr chords.
  It is possible that the position for guitar is messing up their harp position. For guitar the thumb is supposed to be placed fairly straight and squarely in the middle of the back of the neck curve so you can get the proper leverage to fret the strings. However I really don't tend to have much problem going from one to the other.
  I also have an advantage on harp in that my hands are just the right size and my fingers just the right length relative to each other that my hands almost naturally fall into correct position when I put them on the strings. My harp teacher on several occasions said she envied my hands for that.
  I think for some people it just takes a bit more time to get it right. I think for most proper hand position for harp is not a natural thing and simply needs conditioning to get use to it. I know I was like that on flute. It felt awkward and wrong for quite a while before I got used to it. I thought for a long time I would never be able to play on open hole keys, but now I do it without thinking. Time and practice makes it second nature. The key is to practice right. As another teacher of mine once said, "practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent".
  Oh, and for the electric harp, I rarely play that out. Only occasionally when I sit in with my friend's band. For most of the gigs I get it isn't what the client is looking for. Someday, however, I want to use it more and maybe start my own band with lead electric harp.