You are correct of course in terminology. The gut or synthetic strung instrument he played is referred to as the neo Irish harp. As for the sound there's really a lot of sustain but it lacks that clear distinct attack from using the nails. I agree with you the charm of that ringing is lost. Does anyone know who made his wire harp?Redwolf wrote:All harps are "cláirseacha" in Irish, regardless of how they're strung (even pedal harps). The wire-strung harp is An Chláirseach Ghaelach -- The Gaelic Harp -- or An Chruit.oleorezinator wrote:
Derek Bell did indeed play the cláirseach.
He didn't however use the fingernail technique in playing it.
His album Carolan's Receipt opens with the wire strung harp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQFC_V_I ... ata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQFC_V_IS0E
The way he's playing there, it doesn't really sound very much like a wire-strung. It's not just the lack of using the nails...he's really over-damping. A great part of the charm of the wire harp is in the drone effect achieved by letting the strings ring.
Redwolf
Finally got my wire harp
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Re: Finally got my wire harp
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Wisdom is not truth.
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Love is not music. Music is the best.
- Frank Zappa
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Re: Finally got my wire harp
My apologies for not checking in here more often--after starting a thread on..
I haven't been able to keep up harping over the summer--being the primary caregiver to twins
...and broken nails
I did manage to recently pick up a smaller hammered dulcimer, on which I play much of the same repertoire of Carolan tunes; my new (to me) small one allows me to play more often as I sometimes don't keep my large one out. I've also been back at the flute and box lately, too
Cheers!
I haven't been able to keep up harping over the summer--being the primary caregiver to twins
...and broken nails
I did manage to recently pick up a smaller hammered dulcimer, on which I play much of the same repertoire of Carolan tunes; my new (to me) small one allows me to play more often as I sometimes don't keep my large one out. I've also been back at the flute and box lately, too
Cheers!