$20,000 Harp vs $1,000 Harp

[@binface9]

1:55 that's the last time I'm complaining about spending more than £6 on a set of guitar strings.

[@emilyharpist]

😂😂😂 if you string your harp with nylon strings it’s a bit cheaper, but I need quality gut strings for that rich, harp-y sound hahah

[@binface9]

@@emilyharpist That Camac sounds beautiful, so I think it's worth it.

[@jezmez68]

@@emilyharpist How often do you have to string it, and do you string it yourself or is that something you pay someone to do, like you would with a piano? Also, are there music shops that specialize in harp? What an amazing world I never considered...

[@emilyharpist]

I string it myself! Every few years I have to have a professional come and regulate the harp for maintenance purposes, but otherwise all of the string replacing and basic maintenance is done by yours truly! I normally only have to replace a string when it breaks, which can happen often depending on changes in temperature, humidity, etc and how old the strings are. Sometimes if I see some visual wear on the strings, it's a sign they are too old and need to be replaced, especially the lower strings that aren't thin enough to break easily. Sometimes I can just feel when a string is either about to break or needs to be replaced; it comes with years of experience just getting to know the instrument! Or maybe it's a sixth sense that I have 😆 There are harp stores, but they're not common! I live in New York and there are none in my state; I have to drive a few hours to the Virginia Harp Center in New Jersey, which is where I got the harp in this video!

[@HondoFelder]

You know, i never really thought about how hard those must be to transport! Much respect to you!

[@emilyharpist]

Thank you!! I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s basically second nature for me at this point (besides getting it up and down stairs. That will NEVER be easy!)

[@murlthesquir]

Wow, I was curious how much Big Blue cost you! When you play it, it sounds like $1,000,000. 👍

[@emilyharpist]

Omg thank you so much that’s such a nice compliment 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[@NicHeuwGuitar]

I know nothing about harps. And suddenly just crossed my mind that I should check out how a harpist chooses a harp and considerations. From a guitar player point of view, total respect in your passion in playing, handling and carrying around such a huge stringed instrument. This is beautiful, Emily. Thanks for this video it's very interesting to watch❤

[@AnnaCurser]

"I can play it on the plane, I can play it on the lane, I can play it in the house, I can play it with a mouse!"

[@emilyharpist]

HAHAH I LOVE THIS

[@LFOVCF]

I visit people's houses in my job, and the other day I went to an old rectory (house of local religious person, but in modern times, people buy them) and the couple were antique dealers. The place was filled with antique furniture, some 16th century. They had a beautiful old harp from the mid 1800s, and I instantly thought, I bet you'd love to play it.

[@emilyharpist]

oh WOW I would have LOVED to play that!! I can't even imagine how it would sound; I hear that harps develop their sound and get better with age!! ❤️🥺 my harp instructor had a harp from 1910 and it sounded AMAZING

[@IcyMidnight]

Holy moly. I can't imagine bringing a $20k object with me anywhere, let alone one that's that complicated to move!

[@ideashop4981]

It's super cool to learn more about the instrument which is featured so much on your channel! WOW i didnt know harp strings were real $$ like that.

[@Sophietheharp]

Your blue harp is stunning and it was nice to hear them side by side! One thing I am not sure of is whether I would recommend the Harpsicle for beginners, just because a lot of beginner harp books are written for bigger harps, like 34 strings and adapting pieces only works if you already know what you're doing, musically. Perhaps if you already another instrument it might work. Also, the balancing act of lap harp might not help a beginner. It kind of depends on everyone's needs and skills, of course.

[@sunstarburst]

IThe big blue one is indeedly Beautiful. 🤗👍🏾👍🏾 It has a magical type of sound to it.😊

[@lindapino2974]

Thank you for sharing the differents between $20.000 v $1000 I hope one day I can afford to get one as beautiful as yours. But until then I’ll keep saving lol 😂

[@cutechiangels]

Emily, thx for the comparisons. Wow, the big harp is just marvellous ! So warm and round in sound. Keep it up! 👍👌

[@Lordbaccus]

That is Impressive

[@the_random_channel1234]

Little Big Blue is so beautiful

[@bluespectrumtapes]

I love how you tip your glasses. You're such a freaking dork I love it!

[@JUSAPOTHEAD412]

Merry Christmas Em I hope your getting well

[@justintime7600]

Lovely Harps! Im just curious, can you amplify your pedal harp on professional speakers?

[@toolzshed]

Whoa big Blue sounds amazing 💙😲🔥

[@bluespectrumtapes]

This might seem like a stupid question but I'm curious how does the heat and cold affect the instrument? Does it just make it more susceptible to breaking or does it present other kinds of problems?

[@okutaviof]

"All strings, but particularly gut strings, are prone to breaking in extreme changes in temperature (going from a cold car to a centrally heated room, for instance) or during changes in the weather and air pressure (thunderstorms are notorious for broken strings). So, as far as possible, try to avoid exposing your harp to dramatic changes in temperature." copy-pasted

[@Stephen-uk2in]

i had no idea that harps were that expensive!

[@AnnaCurser]

i know right. ludocrist

[@emilyharpist]

It all depends on what kind of model you get, but yeah, my Camac is about $20k! 😱 My very first lever harp was about $5k, my first acoustic pedal harp was about $10k, and my professional acoustic harp for college was about $15k.

[@razmatazz9310]

$500 for the strings is what shocked me. I can understand the instrument as a lot of work goes into it, but the strings...

[@rondelby2482]

@@razmatazz9310 Its like everything else, people have found out that they can make these and charge those prices because they know people will buy them, just like a new car.

[@rondelby2482]

@@emilyharpist I built Vincent my small 26 stringed one. I would not trade him for anything. As years pass he sounds even better. He was built from recycled woods.

[@SummerByStyx]

Damn i would really love a big one like that. But i am a pianist and guitarist so harp is brand new for me. Plus i couldn't fit the big one in my flat. Lovely information and lovely playing. Thanks

[@tombailey1059]

Unrelated, but have you heard the Hiromi and Edmar Castaneda album Live in Montreal? Piano and harp. I was just listening to the song Water and thought of your channel.

[@emilyharpist]

Omg Edmar is the reason I started playing the harp in the first place!! I watched him play live when I was 8 years old and he played so beautifully I just fell in love with the instrument. I haven’t listened to that particular one but I will check it out, he’s always absolutely incredible!!

[@nevertoolatetolearnmusic]

The sounds were like night and day

[@MD-jz7xx]

Harpiscle === Forbidden snack.

[@skiingharpist3147]

Your Camac sounds fabulous! In this video, are you using the pedals or have it EQ … you’re producing a beautiful sound, whereas I’ve other harpists (me included) where the recording is quite tiny, brassy, with no mid range and a ridiculous unfocused bass sound. Beautiful sound and great fingers!!

[@emilyharpist]

Thank you so much!!! I do use some EQ and other items, mostly ones from this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/epvZomyNnrFmbas - these pedals are so helpful!!!

[@skiingharpist3147]

I’ll try … when I’m feeling quite brave!!

[@papaguillojr.6055]

Ouuuu ... I did not think that it made so much difference in the sound, but nothing to see one of the other :0

[@xiyx9748]

the sound difference is pretty significant

[@nicolasrivera1]

But also take into consideration she used a plug-in vs a Mic Even the same instrument sounds different with 2 methods of recording

[@MrBrombomb]

Wow! And I thought drums were expensive?? Damn! Of course if you buy a 5 or 6- piece high end Pearl or DW drum kit, add the cost of top of the line stands and pedals by either brand, add the cost of very good Zildjian cymbals, and then add the cost of drum & hardware cases, it might be at or close to $20, 000. The cost of my main drum kit, hardware, & cymbals doesn’t even come anywhere close to $20,000. With the exception of my two travel kits, which were bought new & weren’t very expensive at all, my 1980s Pearl drums were all bought used as well as my Zildjian A high hats & ride cymbal. My two Crashes, Splash, & China cymbal we’re all bought new a while back. All Pearl hardware was bought new as well. Since everything was pieced together over time, It’s hard to figure out an exact total cost altogether for it, but it would definitely amount to way less than $20,000.

[@rondelby2482]

I use to want a pedal harp but now I prefer a smaller floor harp. They make many now and some sounds as good as a pedal model but harps are way too expensive so I have chosen the cheapest way and is to build them myself.

[@cutechiangels]

Yikes! That must be lengthy ! And one needs a big and furnished workshop !

[@rondelby2482]

@@cutechiangels I use a room upstairs. Sometimes I do sanding downstairs...I have bult 30 string ones but never a pedal harp.

[@cutechiangels]

@@rondelby2482 Wow ! 30 string harps! In how many years? Do you keep them all or sell them? Luckily you have the room upstairs. Cause it does make a lot of dust and noise. I used to build luths, (outh) baglama, and other oriental string instruments. In a professional workshop. It was an amazing experience. I would've loved to continue, if it wasn't so costly to invest in materials, etc. Good luck man!

[@rondelby2482]

@@cutechiangels I have 2 here and one I have taken apart to be rebuilt. I did not like the bowed out pedestal. I bellied out too much. I also have a metal casting foundry and I cast brass feet for the 26 stringed one. I have been concentrating on my bell casting works but hope to have time for future harps.

[@cutechiangels]

@@rondelby2482 So, I suppose you sell a lot of your self made harps ? And also the brass feet ? Belle casting ! ? Wow! So, do you also make a whole accords of bells? You keep jolly busy! Good for you! 👍

[@russellfrohberg2736]

Do a $200,000 harp next

[@emilyharpist]

LMFAOOO

[@eingelus]

is this harpsicle considered celtic?

[@rondelby2482]

Im not knocking the harpsicle but I owned one and it sounded too tinny for me.

[@SkyLukewater]

Jeeez... I sounds beautiful but seeing the price and practicality I'm glad I chose guitar...no offense

[@papaguillojr.6055]

Jajajajaja You should be a harp model jajajaja

[@emilyharpist]

HAHAH THANK YOU ❤️

[@schan263]

I bought my really old pedal harp in 2019 and I still can't afford to buy the harp cart and the bench.

[@internziko]

This chick is adorable

[@AnnaCurser]

the last car i bought was five thousand dollars. that's four cars for one harp.

[@emilyharpist]

HAHAH omg 😂 I know the harp is a huge investment but it’s my main source of income!

[@AnnaCurser]

@@emilyharpist i mean it makes sense for you to get one but Why is it so expensive? its just Wood and a few screws. its not interlaced with copper and gold. it makes like no sense to me.

[@emilyharpist]

@@AnnaCurser I see your point! The best place I’ve found it justified is this article: betterharps.com/why-are-harps-so-expensive/

[@AnnaCurser]

@@emilyharpist they are all hand crafted? that cant be right. there has to be a way to make them quicker and cheaper.

[@emilyharpist]

@@AnnaCurser as far as I know, yes! They’re super intricate instruments, and there’s not a high enough demand for harps for the investment in a factory level production to make sense! I think that’s why it hasn’t been made cheaper so far. And the love and care a single person puts into making an instrument does make a difference!

[@curbkreature7488]

The difference is night and day

[@Tcoldsteel]

$750 for a cover? Wow!

[@emilyharpist]

It’s a lot!

[@tauyang9561]

Damn you gotta be wealthy to own a harp. A guitar is a poor man's harp. . 👀🤦jk

[@emilyharpist]

😂 😂 A full-sized pedal harp sure is an investment; but it can definitely pay off, especially if you're gigging often! Playing gigs (wedding, events) is my main source of income, so if playing harp was just a hobby of mine, I'd have a MUCH harder time justifying a harp purchase that big!

[@leighfoulkes7297]

I thought guitars were expensive!

[@emilyharpist]

😂❤️

[@5amJones69]

How in the fuck does one afford a $20,000 harp?

[@emilyharpist]

stop buying avocado toast of course

[@RustyTonesJr]

I don't hear any difference at all in the sound. :)

[@AJRAJRAJR]

Do you ever feel you miss those three strings on the little big blue? It's such a huge price difference between the little big blue and the big blue. I really feel I'd only miss the low E?? Still saving, they're much more expensive in Canadian dollars 😅😅😅😅

[@emilyharpist]

Haha the ONLY time I’ve ever missed that low E is during Debussy’s First Arabesque. But for a $10,000 difference, I can leave out one note 😂

[@rondelby2482]

@@chiefbucknell Thats why I made my own harp , named it Vincent and he has a lovely voice for 26 strings He sounds much better than a sicle...Im not a pro player I just play . If you want to hear him type in Ronald Delby and you can hear it.

[@randolphfriend8260]

🤎 💙