Tuning a Pedal Harp, Harp Care, Maintenance, and Repair #4

[@carmenfreeman693]

Thank you for your instruction!🙏☺ 🎶

[@JacquelinePollauf]

You're welcome, and thanks for watching!

[@jakegearhart]

You can use harmonics to tune the lowest strings more easily.

[@carsonlong4005]

Since the bottom C and D strings are not connected to the pedal mechanism, could you tune them to double sharp or double flat?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Theoretically, yes, you can. However, you wouldn't need to in most instances. For example, if you tuned the D to a double sharp, it would be an E natural, and you have a string that can play that. The only time I've tuned to a double anything is when I tuned the C string to a C double flat (B flat) for the last note of this piece: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmTIpHZmh7SBi6s

[@carsonlong4005]

Jacqueline Pollauf Interesting. At least I know it’s an option for writing into a part. Thank you!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Yes, certainly an option. Good luck to you in your writing!

[@kazohin]

Very informative! Is it possible to make an alternative tuning? I'd like to have 3 C-s in row (B#, C, Dbb), so I'd like all D strings tuned as a Db (and the lowest D to C). In this tuning would the Dbb and the D natural would be out of tune when using them with pedal up and down? Or would that work fairly okay?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm glad you found the video informative! Theoretically speaking, you could do an alternate tuning as you describe. The pedals would still work just fine and would continue to change the pitches by a half step. With alternate tunings it's always best to make strings lower than usual, so you're all set there. The practical problem with alternate tunings is that it's difficult to change between an alternate tuning and a normal tuning, so if you (or another harpist) want to practice anything with a normal tuning, it gets really difficult. Generally a second a harp is the best solution. Good luck!

[@kazohin]

@@JacquelinePollauf Thank you so much for your answer! That's great! It would be in an orchestral work, not very difficult on technique (not too much practice needed), but using the 3 C-s for repetitions, and glissando chords like A C C C E E or Ab Ab C C C Eb, etc. and also long glissandos like F F Ab Ab C C C .

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@kazohin That sounds like a really creative idea, but sadly I don't think it would work well for most harpists. The problem with the alternate tuning is that strings always want to return to their previous pitch, so a harpist would probably need to tune their harp to the new tuning about a week in advance of the concert and not change it back. Chance are good that there would also be other music on an orchestra concert with a normal tuning, so then the harpist would need two instruments, as there's no way to quickly change between normal tuning and alternate tunings and have the pitches stay well. My best suggestion is to come up with some glisses that use 4 or 5 pitches that can be created using normal enharmonics on the instrument. Hope this helps!

[@kazohin]

@@JacquelinePollauf Thanks for this detailed explanation. I understand and definitely take your advise, and keep normal tuning. In that case do you think it's possible to make a fluent, smooth long glissando using 2 hands (of course in the possible range) and playing 3 times 2 enharmonics (like E# F G# Ab B# C) and when comes the 4th pitch (the D) the other hand takes over the glissando skipping that note (D) and so on?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@kazohin Thanks for being so committed to writing something that works well for the harp! My best suggestion would be to try and find a local harpist who can play some options for you and you can see how it all sounds. Generally it's difficult to both have a long, smooth gliss and a precise gliss, skipping strings at the same time. Sometimes in this situations an added note, like the D natural that you describe, doesn't come across all that strongly, especially if you start and end the gliss on chordal pitches. Good luck!

[@AriannaCunningham]

Wait! How come the Last Couple Strings are NOT part of the Pedal Mechanisms? I thought they were. I think it’s similar to a 40 string harp which has the Low A and B Strings.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

There are no full size (47 string) pedal harps that have discs on the bottom two strings. They are all made this way. You can zoom in on photos of harps to see this, (www.lyonhealy.com/harps-collections/professional-pedal-harps/) or read this lively discussion about the topic here: www.harpcolumn.com/forums/topic/low-c-string/

[@lawrenceballack5506]

You spent 4 minutes explaining that A sharp and B flat, C sharp and D flat, etc.etc.etc. are the same note. Did you think that your audience has no clue?

[@moirbasso7051]

I teach theory at a college, among other classes. Even beginning music majors(!) can have issues with enharmonic pitches. It's not unusual, especially in this day and age. And, (in all honesty), with non-equal tempered instruments (like the human voice, say) A# is NOT the same note as Bb...fwiw. Having just begun pedal harp for fun, I didn't know many of the things she mentions. I find Jacqueline's videos highly informative- she leaves NOTHING out. I appreciate that. We're all students at some point in our lives, and we should all seek to learn humbly from those who know more than we do...