Professional Musicians React to HARP Scenes in Vintage Movies

[@Fishmorph]

I would love to see more harpists react to Harpo Marx. His playing is so wonderful and unique.

[@andreawittchen7821]

In response to your question about red strings with blue and green Cs and Fs. When I went to college as a harp major in 1970, the school harp was strung in red gut strings with green Cs and blue Fs. I had never seen something like that. The harp teacher, Artist deVolt, was a big believer in that type of string and she ordered them from Pirastro. She told me that harpists lobbied for them in the 1930s (?) because when you played a harp as a soloist on a concert stage that had a wood floor - usually oak and high gloss - and the harp was hit with a high-powered spotlight, the clear/white strings that we're used to these days disappeared in the light, making them very difficult to see. So Pirastro made red strings which didn't disappear in the spotlights. When Pirastro stopped making those strings, which I think was in the 60s, she bought up their entire remaining supply so that she could string not only her harp but also the school harp in the red strings. Two quick stories: 1) when I went to audition, I had to play the audition on the school harp. Having never played on red strings, I was completely lost. It was awful. I got accepted anyway. By the time I graduated, I could easily go back and forth between the school harp and my own harp which was strung with the standard white/clear ones. 2) it was true that it was easier to see the red strings against a wood floor. However, banquet halls and ballrooms often had red or dark colored carpeting so they wouldn't show the food stains. Between the red carpeting and the dim lighting, it was a challenge to play the red-strung harp. I'd have to put my cover down on the floor in the sightline beyond the strings so that I could make them out. Still not great.

[@StephanieClaussen]

These are great stories! I think I would really struggle to transition from one color string set to the other, so it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one. And to hear when the red strings started being used. Thank you!!

[@Svartalf14]

Another secret, it's that us, Dungeons and Dragons players, we all have fantasies of an elf bard actually using a harp as a 30 string war bow...

[@SharonCullenArt]

I don’t know how I missed this one. This was a great video and must have been so much work to put together. I loved it! 😊

[@kathymatthews4802]

If you decide to review harp playing in TV shows, don’t forget Mayim Bialik once played a Triplett harp on The Big Bang Theory. She was coached for that episode by Aedan McDonnell (who also rented them her harp).

[@StephanieClaussen]

Definitely! I love it when actors go the extra mile! (And when harp teachers help them succeed!)

[@Trileeloo]

Yea! The Bishop's Wife is one of my favorite winter/holidayesque films. And Cary Grant playing harp? I am THERE for it, fake or not.

[@StephanieClaussen]

I need to watch the whole movie! Should I wait until winter?

[@richardgleichmann7671]

I've mentioned it before, but my aunt Paula was in the MGM and Paramount movie orchestras, before becoming 2nd harpist (with my Uncle Stanley as 1st harpist) for the L.A. Phil.. Aunt Paula grew up in Hollywood. Her dad was Victor Schurtzinger... I never knew (till I was about 10 yrs old), that some of those harp parts on an old movie I may have been watching (Sunday afternoons), might have been my Aunt playing the passages.. It always used to get to me when the film and music were not "synced up" or poorly done.. Oh well.., lots of good footage shown here . Thx for posting it.. 🎶❣️👍

[@StephanieClaussen]

So cool that your aunt and uncle were both harpists and that your aunt played in movie orchestras. I'm sure it was a job that required an enormous amount of skill!

[@richardgleichmann7671]

Thank you. In response to your reply actually, my mother aunt and uncle were all harpists in the LA philharmonic. Uncle Stanley was first harpust at age 21 and held that slot for 42 years. The real treat was getting to hear all three of them play together. Yeah not too shabby, LOL

[@StephanieClaussen]

@@richardgleichmann7671 WOW! Not too shabby indeed.

[@AtlantaHarpistCatherineRogers]

This is great! The harpist who played for Cary Grant in The Bishop's Wife was (Mr.) Gail Laughton. Also take a look at Clifton Webb playing ragtime (St. Louis Blues) in For Heaven's Sake. The harpist you hear is Robert Maxwell.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you for Gail Laughton’s name and the suggestion!

[@LearningtheHarp]

Haha, that was fun to watch! Nice to feel like I'm hanging out with the two of you, and laughing about these clips together 😄😆

[@StephanieClaussen]

We definitely had a lot of fun. Would have been even better if we had a little door that could open to South Africa and have you hop through and visit.

[@JanaMaffetka]

Ha ha .. shooting with harp string works, but its better with folk harps with more loose strings. I did it for little kids when I wanted to explain harp history and also make them laugh. But perfect work! I had a lot of fun. As for playing in a closet ... he he .. I remember one harp festival, too many people and no space for practise between lessons. You could find harpists hidden everywhere including kitchen or toilets. :-)

[@StephanieClaussen]

That is such an amazing idea to include the archery aspect in your lesson!

[@CurtisLoretta]

Thanks Stephanie and Hannah! That was a lot of fun! If you ever do a video including scenes from TV, I'd love to get your take on the harpist in Ricky Ricardo's orchestra, in "I Love Lucy." That was the first time I ever saw a harp on TV, and I was completely blown away.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks Loretta! And that sounds like a good excuse to enjoy some “I Love Lucy”!

[@faithful2thecall]

This was a fun change. It's nice to see you ladies creating content together again.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you! We enjoy hanging out and talking shop!

[@tomiskind]

Thanks! Fun clip, couldn't believe I didn't "like' it until 12:20! Do you know where Oliver Hardy got that wonderful string multiplier bedframe? harp?

[@StephanieClaussen]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@deborahmccaw7127]

Best laugh of the day! Thank you, I needed that!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Aww, thanks!

[@johnstrand7456]

My take on thecred strings is that way back Carlos Salzedo noticed that his red strings being coated with a red dye did not break as often as the clear gut - so he had a set made using the red on the strings to minimize breakage - i knew a vintage harp here red strung and it was totally impossible for me to play - i simply cpuld not adjust

[@StephanieClaussen]

I'd love to get my hands on one to try!

[@charpnatl]

BRAVO!!!!!! I was so excited to watch this video and was not disappointed! Movies and TV do often put the “shot “ ahead of actual reality. Many times fake strings or strings with almost no tension were used as well. My first pedal harp a Wurlitzer from 1922 had the red green and purple string layout. It was kind of wild to look at before I removed them LOL! If hope you do one of this videos with modern movies and tv series like the Sopranos,The Goldberg,Bridgerton ( the actual harp is nearly a character, the same instrument shows up in every party and wedding scene) the first Downtown Abbey Movie. These are examples off the top of my head. classic or traditional Paraguayan harps use Gear Tuners like those used on guitars.

[@StephanieClaussen]

So glad you enjoyed the reactions! I would like to play a harp once with those old string sets. Just to see what it feels like. Thank you also for the suggestions-we are definitely planning on doing more reaction videos.

[@acolleenjones]

Open or arched harps are not quite as triangular as the more familiar frame harps. I just finished researching for a presentation, so I saw that a lot of countries, particularly, in Africa, still use open harps, and some countries have instruments that would fit the definition of a harp (strings, frame, soundbox) but they are not considered harps by the locals. Thinking of a Chinese instrument I've seen online that has the soundbox up between two rows of strings, has pedals like a pedal harp, but is played more like other Chinese traditional instruments. Sooo much fun researching harps, and I've barely scratched the surface.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Yes, there is so much to learn! If you have any books or articles to recommend especially on Chinese/Japanese/Korean stringed instruments I would love to read them. For early harps in Europe and Egypt I really enjoyed Roselyn Rensch's "Harps and Harpists."

[@tiffanyharpandsong]

This was thoroughly entertaining, thank you ladies 🤣

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks! Your Facebook post of Judy Harland “playing” harp was one of the original inspirations for this video.

[@dologuzy9759]

Laughter is good for the soul! 😂

[@StephanieClaussen]

Yes! Thanks for watching!

[@jimbuxton2187]

I love this cute video!! That was an Erard pedal harp with the scroll...

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks Jim!!

[@jimbuxton2187]

@@StephanieClaussen 💌

[@Maris-W]

Very entertaining! Thanks so much.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Yay! Thank you!

[@benjhuset]

Except for Harpo Marx films, Hollywood rarely gets harp playing right. Also they rarely get the string color or material right in period films. My mom changed the colors of her harp strings back in the 1960s to red C and blue F. She also phased out the gut strings for nylon around then. She had a Lyon & Healy pedal harp.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Agreed! And thank you so much for the information about when you mom switched strings. That must have been a adjustment!

[@johnstrand7456]

For a sweet vintage movie check out The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp - starring Diane Cilento (Mrs Sean Connery at the time)

[@StephanieClaussen]

I will check it out! Thanks!

[@blameless_hyperborean8638]

I know this was about films, rather than television, but it would be fun to hear your thoughts on Alex Borstein's turn as 'Drella'.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks for the suggestion-we want to do a reaction video for TV episodes too. We’ll take a look!

[@sydneyrime]

Great video, very entertaining and interesting!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you! I see that you recently posted the second part of you reaction video- I look forward to watching that!

[@lauriejones5546]

I watched this after watching your reviews about “harpists” in historical movies. I asked about Harpo Marx, and that query was answered within the first few minutes of this video. You seem to recognize him as a valid and talented harpist.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Definitely! Like you mentioned in your own experience, he inspired so many people to play harp!

[@lisablythe3450]

You guys are hilarious

[@harpmyday]

Wonderful!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you!!

[@kayamaggie11]

Well done!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you for watching!

[@pkharpguy]

The closet harp in 'Bananas' is an Erard

[@StephanieClaussen]

Good to know!

[@karenlee9028]

Really enjoyed this and where did you get that awesome rabbit and harp tee?

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks! It was the Minnesota Scottish Harp Weekend t-shirt in 2018. (No longer available I’m afraid-but the image is from a teal medieval manuscript!)

[@karenlee9028]

@@StephanieClaussen I have used that image as an atavar for myself!

[@lisaharper2975]

This was really fun. I was so hoping you’d show the guy “harpist” in Bridgerton. That performance was face palm worthy and ridiculously funny. 🤣 Definitely NOT a harpist. 🤣🤣🤣

[@StephanieClaussen]

Oh, that sounds fun. We’ll do it!

[@reneehalm7439]

Yes, PLEASE DO review the male harpist from the first season of Bridgerton! And I suspect something was wrong with that harp too! LOL

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

In this Chaplin movie, the love interest was 13 years old! yet he married her some years on!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Oh wow! Didn't know that!

[@blameless_hyperborean8638]

As you know, the singer performing La Musica in Monteverdi's 'Orfeo' usually comes on with a prop lyre, but, if you have the advantage of being the wonderful Hana Blazikova...kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKOZYqeqn6utodU

[@StephanieClaussen]

Oh fantastic! I can’t listen right now but will definitely come back to this link. Thanks!

[@rondelby2482]

I was dyslexic and and I play on left shoulder. Everything is mirrored and the mind of the dyslexic people. I have accomplished quite a bit on harp playing left shoulder. Never put people down who play in this manner. There are some of us around Never be snobby about this. There is nothing worse than a harp snob..

[@StephanieClaussen]

Hey Ron - I'm sorry if you thought we came across as snobby. That's not our intention, nor would we look down on anyone for choosing to play harp on the left shoulder. I know and have heard of all sorts of harp players who play on the left shoulder for a variety of reasons. However to see an actor playing a pedal harp (pedal harp especially) on the left shoulder (unless there is some indication in the film that it's a conscious decision on the part of the character) seems like a lack of research on the part of the actor/director/staff.

[@rondelby2482]

@@StephanieClaussen I would agree on that. I have played harp this way for many years and it took thousands of hours for me but I have achieved quite a bit. When your friend gestured with her hands like it was an awful thing, I was hurt deeply. It felt like players like me were freakish. For a moment, it hurt my self esteem but I decided to go on. Have you ever tryed to play opposite hands? Thats they will feel when I try to play right shoulder. Try it and you will know what I mean.

[@StephanieClaussen]

​@@rondelby2482 I'm not sure which section you're talking about exactly but I'm very sorry you felt hurt by it.

[@rondelby2482]

@@StephanieClaussen 2:19 to 3:10 I do not play wire and im told I play quite well on nylon strung Celtic Harp

[@prettyflower999]

This was really fun :)

[@StephanieClaussen]

Yay!

[@jimbuxton2187]

In the old days the strings were all red and the C's Green and the F's black

[@hummingbirdharmonies]

Love this! I'd love to see the infamous Bridgerton harpist reviewed in another episode :)

[@StephanieClaussen]

We definitely will!

[@kathymatthews4802]

The real harpist who was “kidnapped” so the assassin could sit down in “Our Man Flynt” was Gayle Levant. You gals probably know who she is.

[@StephanieClaussen]

I recognize the name, but just pulled up an article about her career: so impressive! The list of IMDB of the soundtracks she's played on is a mile long. Thanks for commenting with her name.

[@kathymatthews4802]

@@StephanieClaussen she lives here in Southern California and is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet!

[@kathymatthews4802]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/majZi4R8mLJofsk Gayle is featured early in this behind the scenes video.

[@hannahflowersharp]

I've heard of her! She's had such a fascinating career. I recently watched a documentary about the making of film scores and I feel in awe of any of the musicians who do studio work for film and tv. You have to be such a good sight-reader!

[@marionredd3598]

Very interesting presentation! You might be interested in my new book , "What the Pluck? Hermes's Joke: The Image of the Harp in the Cinema" (May 2022) available on Amazon. Several great examples you cite that I missed.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you for letting me know! I will check it out!

[@vehrkalia]

I am only able to say oh many such beautiful and sad harps were harmed and mistreated for making all these movies?! 😓😆😂

[@StephanieClaussen]

Unless they belong to a specific harpist, I assume harps used in movies lead sad and lonely lives... 😢

[@Svartalf14]

Hi, I'm very bad at the harp, but I'll tell you a secret : I often rest it on the left shoulder and reverse hands... yep, I'"m southpaw. Anyway, play a lever harp, and would never do this if I'm playing anything that requires lever manipulation during performance (yeah, big word since I do it only for my own pleasure)

[@StephanieClaussen]

That's really interesting to me that you switch to left occasionally - I find is so disconcerting when I try just because I've spent 28 years looking at the harp one way. But it would really make your brain process things in a new way. Thanks for sharing!

[@Svartalf14]

@@StephanieClaussen Indeed, I mostly played the normal way when I was taking lessons, because reversing would have bothered the teacher, but now I just do it for myself, I've taught my hands to take either role. Right side playing still feels more natural because I have more practice, but one day I may become truly ambidextrous.

[@xx_deadlyviper_xx6149]

Should do Harpo Marx

[@annettekelly1592]

He must be hiding behind the harp on the right side.

[@StephanieClaussen]

I think you are right! I didn’t think of that until after we filmed this!