cproctor
2 posts
Jan 27, 2009
9:55 AM
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Good morning, everyone. I'm very new to the harp (about two months) but I'm having a great time and learning a lot thanks to Adam's lessons. Magic Dick, watch out!!! lol
Anyway, I live in Colorado and obviously we have cold winter weather and I was curious as to whether or not it affects the harp. I also play the bagpipes (I know, strange combination) and you never leave them in cold or hot weather because it can affect the wood. Is this the same with harps? I have both Marine Band and Special 20's.
One more question....does anyone have any suggestions for dry lips when playing? I wet my lips when I start, but then part way thru the song my lips can dry out and I start "dragging" (lol) across the harp.
This is a great forum. Thanks for the help!
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Chris
"I'm not trying to hit the 4 draw and the 10 blow at the same time....honest!"
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snakes
82 posts
Jan 27, 2009
11:41 AM
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Very funny postscript by the way - I'm still laughing. I am not sure about the temperature, but there is a related thread where some cold weather folks speak to playing in subfreezing temperatures successfully. As for the dry lips issue I've tried making sure to be hydrated in general and to have some water handy during my practice sessions. I've heard other using some sort of lip balm, but have not tried this myself. Welcome.
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cproctor
3 posts
Jan 27, 2009
12:04 PM
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Thanks for the tips, Snakes. I searched for weather and didn't find anything. Guess I'll try cold. BTW, I usually do have some water close by. I was wondering about lip balm, but I thought that might gunk up the holes eventually.
Thanks again!
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Chris
"I'm not trying to hit the 4 draw and the 10 blow at the same time....honest!"
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Preston
104 posts
Jan 27, 2009
1:14 PM
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Hi cproctor. Cangratulations on picking the harp up.
I've seen several people write in and say their mouths go dry.
My personal experience when I started out was the same problem, but I don't seem to have a problem with it anymore. I don't want to speak for anybody else, but I think it was just an adjustment for me that after awhile I unconciously learned how to keep my lips moist. I've made a couple of YT videos and I've noticed as I go back and watch that I give my lips a real good lick before I start to play. I don't even realize I'm doing it.
In addition to that, when I first started playing amplified I had major trouble with too much saliva in my hand cup and would always gum up my harps with spit. I eventually learned how to control that as well. It just takes practice.
I also used chapstick when I first started out. Yes, it does get into the harp somewhat, but usually only on the openings. Reach in there with a toothpick and clean it out.
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tookatooka
96 posts
Jan 27, 2009
1:35 PM
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Further to the previous advice (Dry Lips). It's important to keep the coverplates clean so they slide easy on your lips. I keep a small square of chamois leather handy for keeping the coverplates clean. Just run the harp back and forth over wet lips, then clean with chamois. It's better than cloth because you wont get fibres trapped between the coverplates and reedplates. Good Luck with your harping Chris, it's a good ride.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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cproctor
4 posts
Jan 27, 2009
1:46 PM
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Thanks, everyone for the tips. I just know that when I first started playing the pipes in public my mouth would go dry, probably from the nervousness. I'm sure that will probably happen the first time I get up in front of an audience on the harp. Yep..I'm already planning on it!! lol Maybe I'll keep the Chapstick handy for my debut!
Thanks again!
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Chris
"I'm not trying to hit the 4 draw and the 10 blow at the same time....honest!"
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Andrew
93 posts
Jan 27, 2009
2:29 PM
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Chapsticks can be a bit stinky - if you use one with honey in it the smell seems to linger in the harp forever. I think Adam might mention Vaseline in one of his vids. You can get small round tins of that, not as conspicuous as the big plastic jars! KY isn't much use*. I find sliding around on a GM much easier than sliding around on an MB.
*joke
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KingoBad
14 posts
Jan 28, 2009
7:53 AM
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KY works better for a different more advanced type of playing....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfi4j9vsPE
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