My Three Harps // A Simple Review

[@suzannehofer3867]

This exact video has turned my harp journey upside down! I’ve completely fallen in love with DS harps and can hardly wait until I can buy one! Thank you Mark and I look forward to watching more videos from you!

[@wilsoncalhoun]

Wow. I am truly amazed by the Fireside's tone quality.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

It is an amazing little harp, and incredibly affordable!

[@TheAmericanSounds]

Wonderful demo. Very informative. Thank you for sharing, Mark.

[@sandragayle7866]

Well I have been playing the harp for 20 years but I still love to here people who just start playing harp. It reminds me how special my first harp was to me. Now when I play my Dusty Strings Ravenna 34 are my Dusty Strings FH36 I am thankful. My first lap harp was and still is stoney end eve harp. She has seen matter days but I still keep her because she and I have been together much to long to give her up. But I just happened on your vid looking for something else. But I enjoyed it.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you Sandra! I have, since this video sold both my cardboard harp and my Lorraine 29. The Lorraine went to a college student who needed an affordable first harp. I still have the Brittany double strung, and have recently acquired a Lorraine 29 double as well. I am approaching my first year anniversary of playing the harp, and I hope I have many more to come! Thank you for your kind words and for taking time to comment. Mark

[@julieetsaharpe3943]

Great informative video, Mark, and beautiful playing as usual. I can’t believe you’ve only been playing for six months!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you Julie! Sometimes I can't believe it either!❤

[@charpnatl]

Mark!!! This was fantastic! It’s very easy to imagine just hanging out with you and talking harp and making music. I have a bunch of harps myself. Some were new because I designed and built them. I bought one new harp a 29 string made in Pakistan gothic. But all my others are used and I agree there is a lot of value in used instruments.

[@paullyle3461]

Good Job thanks for sharing your experience, with Harps.🎶🌈😎

[@pharaohsmagician8329]

Did you buy one? And which one did you get?? Enjoy playing

[@annecrosbygaudetmusic]

Great video Mark! I had a 25 year old Lorraine as well, such a sweet, gentle tone. It also had that curve, but it didn’t cause any problems. Keep going with the videos!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you for taking time to comment, and for the words if encouragement Anne! I love the Lorraine. I love imagining all that it has seen and done before coming to me.

[@olivekayes192]

Really enjoyed watching your video....inspired me to look for a little lap haro ..I rented one for 3 years really live it .it was a starfish Celtic harp ..learnt few irish Ayers ...as on Irish..emwe love are trad music .....thanks so much .very clear helpful vidio......

[@FrankDudgeon]

Very nice presentation. I'm also new to harps, but have a Sharpsicle (Harpsicle harp with C & F levers) and I like it very much as a first harp. I personally had a hard time dealing with it as a lap harp - keeping it balanced - and I bought the metal stand that they sell for it and it made all the difference. Very stable and comfortable. Turns it into a floor harp. Anyway thanks for the excellent video - so nicely and clearly presented.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you Frank. I have not had the opportunity to try one of the Harpsicle brand harps, but I live the way they sound. I often wondered if balance would be an issue because of the narrow soundbox. Your solution makes sense! I appreciate your kind words, and thanks for subscribing! Glad to have you in the harp community!

[@evolenet8039]

Your Double-Strung harp looks like the one owned by Alli Stevick... If it's the one, pity that she sold it! I enjoyed her videos, but great to see that it's in very good hands! Keep up the great videos!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Yes! I bought it from Alli. She has been a terrific inspiration to me. I was thrilled to be able to purchase it from her.

[@theangel4563]

I love harp sound so much, but sadly I'll never purchase one, because this instrument is very rare and expensive in my country, I would have to work for 8 mounths without spend any cent until I could get one.

[@audreynowak]

What country are you in?

[@caroleadams5050]

Cool. I enjoyed the video. I have and LH Ogden 34 and a Blevins Mezzo 23. LOVE them both. My next harp will be the cross strung.

[@xXKDizzleXxTheShizzl]

This was so helpful and informational for me! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@carmenfreeman693]

I think it's crazy that I started the harp in August of 2018 too. I bought a 26 string rees walnut harpsicle. I found an old 22 string harp and a 10 string lyre designed to use steel guitar strings. All of them are beautiful. I enjoyed listening to all of your harps. The double sting harp is a audible treat. ☺ Thank you for sharing. 🙏🎶

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

That is so cool that we started at the same time! I hope to get a 10 string lyre in the near future. I agree about the double strung. They are beautiful instruments. Thank you for the kind words!

[@carmenfreeman693]

Indeed. Perhaps the age of the harps is returning....don...don.... 😋☺🎶. I would like to have a ten string lyre with steel or gut strings and levers then upgrade the sound to electric-acoustic made in cherry/bubinga.....that would be cool. I may have order it from a luthier. ☺

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I definitely believe the harp is making a comeback! Musicmakers has a 22s lyre with steel or nylon strings, and levers. I love the sound of the steel. It is called the Lynda Lyre. Pretty cool. Still, I love the sound of ten string steel strung lyres.

[@carmenfreeman693]

Thank you, I will check it out. I made my 26 string harpsicle acoustic-electric with a 4 piezo pick-up from ebay( dusty strings jack holder) and a vox amp....its amazing. Now I want to see if I will get the same quality of sound with a wireless pick up.

[@ChoirFly]

Thanks for the tour of your growing harp collection! Harps (and guitars) are like potato chips... can’t have just one! Seriously though... they’re all great instruments and sized just right for the task at hand. That said... is a pedal harp on the horizon for Mark? We will all tune in to find out! ~Lisa

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Hmmm...I would like to try a pedal harp at some point to see if I would like it. I have only ever seen them on video or at a distance. Who knows, maybe I will end up with one in the future!

[@trishboril]

Great video, Mark! I'm curious to know how you added the strap. I built a Fireside Harp, but I have trouble holding it steady when I play. Also, when I play it at church, I've not yet figured out how/where to sit with it while playing. I'm thinking that I need to either put a strap on it, or set it on something in front of me to give it some height and stability. Did you attach the strap with just regular strap locks? Or the locking kind? Did you have to install the strap lock before you glued the soundbox together, or were you able to add it after it was built? The sound is really nice here! Thanks for any ideas or suggestions on adding a strap. Your videos are so informative. Thank you for sharing your musical journey here!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Hey Trish! I had the same trouble holding the Fireside. Before adding the strap I would cross my feet and pin it between my knees. That was only good for a short period of time. The strap I added last month. I went to my local music store and got the strap pegs that screw into the wood. I looked at other lap harps to see where they placed their straps and then just screwed the pegs in place. I did pre-drill the holes to avoid a possible splitting of the wood. I added on to the top right hand side of the frame and one directly in the bottom of the frame facing downward. All in all, it took me 10 minutes, and it made a huge difference! Now I can use the strap when sitting or standing to keep the harp in place. Using a strap will cause the harp to sit at a slight angle, but is very comfortable once you get used to that. Another idea is to purchase, or make a lap board to sit on while playing. Then you can rest the harp on that board to provide some stability when playing while seated. I would love to hear you play your Fireside!

[@RG-iw7py]

Thank you for such a nice video and introducing me to The Fireside Harp. I'll go for it. I love this kind of sound your wife mentioned. :D and appreciate the price. Since childhood I wanted to play harp only. I don't know how much I'll be able to learn though :D I started with buying tuner+metronome in one. :D And now... 'this is the road with no return')) Importing a harp to Ireland is like bringing trees into the forest but I couldn't find something I like in this price. In my local music shop the cheapest one is €500. And I can assemble this Fireside Harp myself, wow :D That will be fun. Only, I need to learn about these levers. Do I need them, and where if at all... Merry Christmas to you and your dear and near one, especially to patients you meet, what a sweet idea to go around with a harp. Merit badge in Harp is yours)) In Galway, Ireland you can learn how to make your own instrument from scratch but 4 weeks course costs €1,500)

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I am glad you are going to try the Fireside harp! It is a wonderful harp to learn on. I am glad you found the video helpful!

[@Sharik-wq9by]

This got me into double strung harps

[@gorelowjeff5054]

Such a great video. You seem very knowledgeable in all three harps. I really need a harp to bring to Europe where I live half the time to find something small like this to get on the plane. Thanks again

[@peterpascone6942]

I was always taught not to flip the F-lever. Specially if someone cuts me off on the free way.

[@annehorton9033]

😁

[@nicolasseydoux5985]

Oh hi ! i'm really happy happy to see another guy falling into love with harps like me ! I thought i was the weirdo one, but no =) I have 3 harps too , and started like you on the same time to gather them ( in fact i got 4, but the first one, a lunatcharsky, was long ago ) . your choice is quite interesting, my choice went differently, as i am European ( i'm french ). First choice was a pakistanese one ( the roosebeck minstrel harp ), then a Camac ( French Melusinne professionnal ) , finally last year a Salvi ( italian electric delta ) . Thanks for the video and the discovery ! Cheers from Europe

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Wow! Thanks Nicolas! I am really happy to know that your journey has been so awesome. We need more guys falling in love with harps!

[@irenechiang1153]

I love the music very much. ❤

[@MirzadeganAva]

Hey Mark! Thanks for making this video. It was really informative! I was actually wondering if you could talk more about how you installed a guitar strap onto the fireside lap harp? I'd be very interested in adding one but don't know the best way to go about it.

[@doll_dress_swap12]

Wow! I learned first on my dad’s beautiful stony end harp, and now owns troubadour for my own. I’ve wanted a lap harp for a while and found this fireside one on Etsy but wasn’t sure it it was any good. Your demo is really enlightening! It’s so pretty!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I highly recommend the Fireside harps!

[@connieLo87365]

Thank You Mark! I also purchased used so my husband could fulfill a 47 yr old promise (bucket list) I purchased a Muma lll Concerto 36 2001. Had so funny lifting look on the sound board (cosmetic) High tension. I didn't even know which side the harp leaned on the shoulder. I thought the sound box had to face the people so they could hear. Then I went searching This was in Nov 2019. Unfortunately I was unable to play until Jan. I needed three strings, a tuning peg. I agree purchasing used is a good way to go. three months later I purchased a new Dusty String Ravenna 26 with C &F levers then learn't how to install the rest myself. Dusty Strings was a great help with that. Then Covid. I had watched many videos that were confusing to me because I had no music experience at all, well except putting a CD in and push play. lol I accidently found Christy-Lyn with a free Sally Gardens lesson. I began there. Loved video learning and joined her group and Facebook. I have just passed my one year of touching a harp. and Feb 4th will be one year of practicing something. I put all my goods and bads and bloopers in my youtube channel. I was considering a double strung harp because I am originally left handed (never gave that a thought because both hands have to work) but my dexterity is definately better on the base. Your playing the double strung made me realize that it could be tuned and actually be played in reverse. I truly thank You for this video. I like your sence of humour too.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I love hearing about your journey! Music is meant to be fun. As time goes by, I love the harp more and more. And with good harps, used ones can be even better than new ones. They get better with age...unlike me! Lol!!

[@connieLo87365]

@@MarkFosterMelodies So I was told, but you have to watch out and ask a lot of questions. I belong to Learning the Harp together and wow some of the stories. Sound boxes popping up or cracks, lifting from the bottom.

[@krisbryant4963]

Wonderful very helpful video. Thank you! - Have you tried any of the 'patterns' or ornaments that double strung guru lady talks about on her videos? I don't remember the names, but I think one was waterfalls maybe? You know, using both hands doing a pattern that harmonizes? I have only seen her do those and hoped for a beginner to tell me how hard or easy they were. I've seriously considered getting a double strung.

[@hmbl-cb1be]

Hi, you play so nicely, I love the harp. I have been looking at the backyard harp! What levers are added to yours? Cynthia

[@juttazeisler3621]

Hello Mark, thank you for the informative review. I just assembled my own fireside harp. How and where did you install the buttons for the guitar strap? And how difficult was it to install the levers?

[@rebeccafield9286]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@luoyanjin]

Very nice sharing!

[@lindaswope]

Nice informative video! I can relate. I am an oboist, taught music in my younger years, and I love instruments and making music. I acquired a used 26 string harp and started learning to play through video courses, and then bought a Fireside harp kit and built it, and now just acquired another small used harp called Sassafrass, made with fiberglass. (All within 2 years!). I added a strap to the fireside just like you did, only I still have a hard time holding it. It shifts as I play on it. The strap at the top slips off the top of the harp and the harp drops while I play on it. Does this happen to you or anyone else reading this?

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I never had any issues with the strap slipping off. The harp does shift a bit to one side while playing it when using a strap, and it take a bit of getting used to.

[@zanvolcano]

thank you for this demonstration

[@CarolBlaneyPhD]

great review!!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wholovesyababy5574]

I'm curious where you find used harps.

[@kibolni]

How do I start to learn harp, where will I begin I have some piano background but nothing about harp

[@USDcarbon]

I have been doing my best to learn the piano on my own and I love it. I have always wanted a harp, but obviously the cost is limiting. Do you feel like the fireside has the range to enjoy and play enough music to keep learning on just that small harp? If i were to order it with a few (~6) levers. I would like to invest more in a few years after some good practice with the fireside.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Brandon, in my opinion, the Fireside is more than satisfactory for learning and playing. You will hear a lot of people complain about the lack of bass strings and so forth, but 22 strings is plenty for literally hundreds of songs. It often takes some creativity, but yes, I totally recommend the Fireside for price, tone, and flexibility.

[@USDcarbon]

@@MarkFosterMelodies thank you for the insight! I really appreciate it

[@jillgeary1313]

Hi Mark. More questions (as I have asked several on your other videos!) - was it difficult to add the sharping levers yourself? I might buy the kit, or the "Apartment-Friendly" version - but neither have sharping levers, so I'd have to add them myself. Kinda scary!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

It is not difficult at all! Dave from Backyard Music provides a detailed set of instructions, along with the tools needed! By tools I am referring to the special Allen wrench for regulating the levers, and a drill bit already marked to the proper depth to guide you in drilling! I think adding them yourself later is definitely a great way to go.

[@jillgeary1313]

@@MarkFosterMelodies thank you so much! This helps my decision making tremendously! God Bless!

[@davper8619]

Not sure what a lever is, is it to change the tone?

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Yes, when the lever is raised it connects with the string at a lower point than the pin, shortening the vibrations length of the string and raising it one half tone.

[@fnersch3367]

I have a Music Makers gothic harp with 36 strings and is 67 in. tall. The pillar-neck joint broke after about 10 years. I have to figure out how to fix it. Not going to be easy. Any suggestions?

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

I am sorry to hear about that damage! My first advice would be to contact the folks at MusicMakers. I have had many interactions with them, and they have always been super supportive and helpful. Depending on the extent of the break, a reinforcement like the one I have the Lorraine might work.

[@fnersch3367]

@@MarkFosterMelodies - thanks. Your Lorraine "fix" looks like the way to go.

[@SoftwareWolves]

What’s the difference between G -G strings and C -C strings. Which is better for Celtic music?

[@annehorton9033]

Hi Mark 👋 I am not sure if you will see this comment as this video is now 2 years old but I just wanted to thank you for going to the effort that you did to make that very informative video. If I didn’t already have a Brittany Stoney End harp I would be keen to get one after watching your video! 😉. Are you still playing it? (I noticed one of your comments saying you sold the other two harps).

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Thank you Anne! I have not sold my Brittany Double strung. It is by far my favorite harp, and I hope to keep it for may years to come! I recently uploaded some videos to my channel with the Brittany. Stoney End Harps are such well made instruments. I did get another Lorraine, but a double strung rather than the single strung in this video.

[@annehorton9033]

@@MarkFosterMelodies well that is GREAT news!!! 🤗 ... I just discovered the double-strung harp videos you are doing (KZbin insightfully recommended them to me 😜) - I will watch them with great interest! ... A new song every day for 30 days?!! Wow!!! ... and from memory too!!!!

[@qltygrl3187]

I currently have a harpsicle but really want a double strung. So hard to decide which one!

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

It can really be hard to decide. Have you narrowed down your choices yet?

[@qltygrl3187]

@@MarkFosterMelodies between the Lorraine harp like yours or a double shaylee meadows from Rees harps.

[@aproposracer855]

Are you in anyway related to My Whistle and Flute?

[@Cheshhire]

Does the fireside harp stay in tune good? Is their any other good quality budget harps better than fireside?

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

Hey Jay, Like most harps with nylon strings the Fireside takes several tunings before it reaches the point where the strings settle. After that, I found the Fireside to be very dependable at holding tuning. I think the longest I went between tunings was over a week! There is another cardboard harp maker that makes a 19 string and also a double strung. They are called Waring Harps. I have never played one, but several friends of mine speak very highly of them.

[@Cheshhire]

@@MarkFosterMelodies i ordered a fireside with c and f levers.

[@MarkFosterMelodies]

@@Cheshhire When I ordered mine it was without levers. Then I added the C and F levers later. It really does add some versatility to this small harp. Best of luck!

[@tool_fighter]

To an artist, "beginners" anything is a useless term.

[@josephrumpolo7328]

great video, I am a guitar player, love the harp, I want to buy one, God Bless you, stay safe, have a happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!, joe