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The Reverie Harp is not an Harp itself, it's a kantele or gusli like instrument (more than an harp should be related to zithers or psaltery) but it is itself a groundbreaking new instrument invented and designed by Music Makers in Minessota (USA) along with australian music thanatologist Peter Roberts. An instrument that's opening doors to musicians and non-musicians alike, providing soothing music therapy with little or no practice or training because of being tuned to pentatonic (five-tone) scale all notes are in harmony to create pleasant melodies when strumming its . With no wrong notes it i's very simple to play it and render a heavenly enchanting penetrating and in words of many healing sound wether plucking individual or multiple strings, strumming or even hammering with dulcimer hammers and other tools. Thus the Reverie Harp® is quickly being embraced in children's hospitals, chemotherapy units, maternity wards, surgery recovery, hospice centers and by music therapists as a music therapy tool to calm and comfort patients to soothe stress becoming a must-have a must-have tool for music therapists, visitation ministers/chaplains, activity directors, and nursing homes care-givers.
The instrument comes with a tuning template (standard tuning is pentatonic scale C but others are available) and a tuning wench (you may need to buy or have an electronic tuner to assist you in this task). They also provide padded gig bags, instructional materials and other accessories you may need for your instrument. The official site is from the instrument creators Music Makers but is commercialized worldwide by Harp kit
If you're lucky you can find it often reverie harps in ebay too, sometimes with slightly cheaper auctions or second hand.
The instrument has a solid cherry timber frame and solid red wood mahogany soundboard providing a great quality to the sound but is small (50x32cm)l, lightweight (4 lbs/ 1.80 Kg) and easy to hold with no sharp edges and it features a lovely carved tree rosette making it also pretty to look at. It's smooth, egg-like shape is inviting and designed to be held on a lap or shared between two players, such as a music therapist and patient. With 22 wire strings its unique design requires no skill to play, yet produces beautiful, soothing harmonies with the stroke of a finger. Easy to hold, easy to play. Small stringed instruments like the kantele, the lap harps (both of which we previously covered here in our Cool Music instrument blog), or the reverie harp are known worldwide because of its ability to calm and relax both the player and listener and convey really deep emotion in a very easy way.
The Reverie Harp® (reverie means a state of daydream or meditation) is a universal instrument that requires no practice or musical training because it is tuned to a pentatonic (five-tone) scale in which all notes harmonize to create pleasing melodies. As a result, there are no wrong notes to play and people are captivated by this simple instrument. Care-givers from around the world are sharing stories of how this new instrument is helping people relax, restore, and relate.
Useful links:
-How to tune your Reverie Harp (video)
-Reverie Harp playing Techniches (video)
-Reverie harp kit (PDF): document explaining how to assemble the kit if you purchase the kit instead of the built instrument. (which is cheaper if you're crafty it is a 10-15 hours project and requires some tools)
There are only a few instruments that in my opinion can be playd with such great beauty and sadness. The chinese violin or erhu have that distinct weeping sound, with those typically sliding notes that points it as one of the most reknown sounds of Asian music not only en ensembles and orchestras but also as a solo instrument with an everchanging haunting and sometimes very similar to human voice sound able to convey a great variety of moods (from melancholic to merry) being even more expressive and soulful than the occidental violin, from lavish low tones to clear high notes.
The Erhu is an ancient Asian instrument, brought to China during the Han dynasty (~140 B.C.) and member of the huqin family. Bowed instruments became popular in China during the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1279). The Erhu is one of the most widely used bowed instruments in China.
The Erhu is a bowed stringed instrument with two strings and the body consists of a long vertical stick-like hardwood neck, at the top of which are two large tuning pegs, and at the bottom is a small resonator body or sound box covered with python snake skin like a drum with 6-8 sides that provides its distinct tone to the instrument. The strings are The bow is traditionally made of horsehair tied to a bamboo stick and the horsehair run between the strings so you cannot take the bow out of the instrument unless one of the strings is broken.This instrument is played with the bow between the strings in a push-pull manner.
Above: parts of the instrument
Honestly I've not found much about instructional material out there, but there is a course for 99$ at Learnerhu that grants you to learn the very basics of the instrument in just three months, as I haven't tried it cannot tell how accurate it is but it worths to have a look to the description at their site.
Below another video of an erhu solo piece "River of Sorrows" performed by Song Fei that shows some close ups so you can perceive the fingering technique as the traditional way of performing the instrument is indeed rich in ornamentation. Normally is played while seated holding the instrument vertically on the lap with the left hand while bowing with the right. There is no fingerboard; the player stops the strings by pressing their fingertips onto the strings without the strings touching the neck.
In Ebay you can find a wealth of erhus and accessories like strings ranging, going as cheap as 100 dollars. I do not recommend to go for the cheapest option, but still if you opt for an economic erhu be sure you pick one with professional size.
You can purchase a virtual instrument (VST) of erhu from Kong audio
Kong Audio is a company specialized in sampling traditional chinese instruments. Recorded the sessions with a distinguished Erhu musician, Mr. YuSheng Liu(who has won in several national/provincial Erhu competitions), to capture the nuance and brilliance of various delicate Erhu playing techniques.
ChineeErhu contains extensive expressions of legato, vibrato, F-p-F, staccatos, pizzicato, tremolos, glide and trills, cleverly woven and programmed to be used with MIDI aftertouch/modwheel, along with the keyswitch feature provided by the plugin, to bring the users the most lively articulations as easily accessible as possible.
Other interesting links:
Read the wikipedia article for more information.
Article about the erhu with some sound samples.
Schatten Design's is a company based in Canada largest manufacturer of pickups, transducers and other technical material for string and folk instruments. The company is continuing quest to build the finest pickups, preamps, and related accessories in the world and has produced a line of products that Listening to their customers, as they always have, has helped to provided us with a greater insight into the types of pickups and products that are needed. Schatten is not only devoted to guitars and violins like the most of the companies (though of course they do as well) but also provide solution to like hammered dulcimer, Bouzukis, Mandolins, Mandolas, Celtic harp, appalachian dulcimer and even autoharp!!. They are not generic pickups, but fine and quality work specific items meant and designed to achieve the best sound out of specific and unique instruments.
They also have some generic pickups that you can try and experiment with. Basically, if you have an acoustic instrument with a soundboard, then the Dualie will work well on it. I ended up using a dualie to trigger midi sounds as a drum pad played with my hands just for fun. What started like fun is going to make me get a few more of these soon! :) It's worked great also on some plucked psalteries too. But It's one of those things you need to try out (and of course works well on guitars as well).
Above: Generic Dualie pickup. Experiment with it!
With a clear sound and non intrusive to the instruments, the pickups are easy to install and achieve a great sound on stage, with no feedback and great comfort. I use a pickup in my Baritone dulcimer. No drills, no holes, easily attached (literally a couple of minutes) with the puty that comes along with the package (that by the way does remove cleanly as well from the wood when you want to take it out as it's a bit conspicuous over it (thought definitely quick to install and elegant) The D-3 Std is specific for this instrument and it works well in standard and also in larger baritone dulcimers rendering a great sound and tone.
Above The D-3 Std for Mountain Dulcimer
I'm a happy user myself, and I couldn't consider to use a microphone on stage on my hammer dulcimer ever more after testing the comfort and the sound of the specific
me playing a hammered culcimer with a HD2 pickup
Due to the size and construction of hammered dulcimers, the best balance and accuracy of sound reproduction could only be achieved by using a "dual element system" with two separate transducer sensing units. The HD2 pickup system mounts quickly and easily to the underside of the hammered dulcimer with supplied double sided tape. To plug it to a PA on stage is recommended a DI/Preamp and Schatten is also provider of one of the finest dual channel Ultrasound DI/Preamp units that have been tested successfully with Schatten pickups and thus combine so perfectly with them. No more feedback on stage!! As a singer putting a microphone for the voice and another for the instrument (and in only one of the bridges) was always not only distracting when playing but also a nightmare risking feedback or hitting them with the hammers.... and sound as good as with a live mic. Using the HD2 suddently made it so EASY!! that I cannot help to recommend this if you play this instrument. I struggled a lot to find a versatile, comfortable, easy and "discrete" looking solution, and I cannot be more satisfied.
Above: Ultrasound DI/preamp extensively tested with Schatten pickups to plug your instrument to the PA system.
No more mis-matching impedance issues going into a 'strange' sound system. No more weak output and signal line-loss issues due to the length of the mixer cables. Adn I tell you It works great also as a preamp for your home studio!
So what can I say? I'm intending to grab a few more dualies and test them elsewhere, and I have a wish list for my cello player and my kantele... Great quality works great as easy as that!
Charlie Hind (crafter and instrument maker of Hindocarina.com) shows you how to play his wondrous Double Ocarina, a truly polyphonic double chamber ocarina in which you can play two melodies at the same time.
We had previously covered the Aeolian harp as an instrument played by nature in that case the wind. In this case we are going to talk about the deep and natural sound of enormous and misterious ocean sings through the unique Sea Organ (Morske ogulje) an experimental musical instrument which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps. Designed by award-winning architect Nikola Basic and built in 2005 the Sea Organ is located in Zadar, Croatia,and indeed has highlighted this location on the map becoming a great touristic attraction made out of a previous ugly concrete area into a elegant architectural element and soothing instrument. The Sea organ is in fact a giant 70 meters long instrument has 35 pipes and resonating underwater cavity so the waves create random harmonics.
At any given moment listeners can hear at least five pipes played in harmony by the waves and wind movements. Though random and unpredictable, the final result heard is surprisingly harmonious due tot he arrangement of the notes the pipes play meant to sound good together which plays music by way of the waves and tubes located underneath a set of long steps. Such nature-affected instruments are often called "aerophones". This page has a sample of "sea Organ" sounds. Below you can watch a video also to see and listen how the Sea Organ works and haunt the visitors with its unique sound. Sure it makes a great place to soothe your senses and gaze into the blue.
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The air holes "breathe in" the wind along the shore, and the pipes hidden deep underwater make lower sounds.
Some interesting links
- Read the wikipedia article
- Another article with some details about the architect and engineer that built it with mp3 sample at:http://www.theworld.org/2010/11/25/sea-organ-zadar-croatia/
- Article about the Sea Organ with pictures at Odd music
Above: Viper and Sabre electric violin from Wood Violins
I've always been in love with bowed strings, that´s the reason why there is so much cello and violin in my own music. I've always felt a deep respect and praise for classical music and film scores, and I really thank when modern genres become daring enough to incorporate "classical" instruments to sound in a different edgier way.
And thus I landed into Wood violins looking for fretted bowed instruments, after covering previously the amazing guitar viols and with an article about fretted classical ancient viols that is on the making and coming soon, my search and happy customer reviews lead me to Wood Violins which seems to be pretty popular. Hand built and crafted in the USA this company states that they are meant to "completely revolutionize the string world" and being aware that is a company made by string players for string players and that way really know their task coming from accoustic instruments we can conclude that we refer to about electric violins, violas and cellos (and hopefully soon bass too) that despite being electric, still allow the player to convey emotion and incredible expressiveness
Also the option (your choice) of being able to have frets make you able to explore a wider vaeirety of chordal patterns and makes it easier for intonation. Thus you can move up and down the fingerboard like a electric guitar player thing that is extremely difficult in a classical non fretted instrument. In fact for those coming from guitar playing and not from violin they offer a six string model tuned and fretted in a similar way so they can explore this new realm of bowing.
Here you can see a video demo with what you will see and expect from Wood violins explained by owner and operator of the company Mark Wood
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Wood violins patented design is unique.. and really gorgeous looking, closer though to "electric guitars" look than to classical it will be delight of metal and rock bands, but beware classical players... they really sound good so do not underestimate them because your previous exprience with electric have been dissapointed! As they say "these are very cool instruments aimed at players who are anxious to explore new territory" They are very passionate and committed about providing highly specialized customer support to our clients both before and after your purchase and will help you with amp options, pedal choices, music and exercise books and lots of other stuff. They also have a message board and community a great resource where users share their thoughs and ideas.
Being in a band where cello is so important, you face quite often the fact that it's a rather voluminous instrument to travel with but most of the electric cellos lack the emotion or the feeling toCobra cello and how really amazing it sounds. And with frets too, so my talented band member could use it but even i'd feel encouraged to learn! (can I hold a sigh!) And also you can play it like an electric for edgier, darker music.... :)
You can opt for a 4 to 6 strings with or without frets... (I'd be happy with a fretted viola or cello (craving sigh!!))
You can network with them in facebook too.
Above: Fully levered Fullsicle from Harpsicle Harps
Perhaps you have always wanted to play the harp? That's the first line you read in Harpsicle harps website. They´re a division ReesHarps.com (specialized in concert harps)
Well I've always wanted!! It was a childhood dream to me... It always looked a bit out of reach and too expensive for me. Then of course you could find a cheap Pakistani harp or middle eastern import.. and they may look so pretty, even engraved.. but don't fool yourself, after asking the advice of my friends harp players that actually know what it's playable or not, they told me to run away from this harps that are only "ornaments" and that will most likely will bring only dissatisfaction after a little while with low quality levers and materials, something that instead of a bargain will end up in your attic or wall getting dust. Harpsicle though are made in Indiana in the United States with fine materials and craftsmanship. They can be purchased from a lot of specialized stores and harp centers worldwide.
So you still want to play the harp, but you cannot afford a fortune in one (not that there aren't many lovely brands out there) but one that sounds and looks good enough to be your first harp (maybe even your forever harp)? That is how you may finally stumble upon (by so many user reviews and recommendations) in Harpsicle harps. And thus I'm waiting for mine... ! I'll update this article soon with pictures of it... so excited to be able to create music with it, and I've proved that the sound quality is great for studio work too!
Above: Harpsicle harp.
Harpsicles are well designed, sturdily built and have the correct string spacing which make them an excellent selection for a first time harper. Light and portable, they are also a wonderful choice for harp therapy practitioners and are recommended by many harp therapy programs. These simple harps have nice volume and tone. Harpsicle Harps are well made and maintain tuning as well as any professional harp.
Available in ten colors (for the fancier customers, but also in elegant black or natural wood). Children might prefer to have magical colorful first harp for princesses or little BardsThey come also with straps buttons included so you can easily hold it when performing or even marching. With 26 strings and a range of 3 1/2 octaves and as small and light (four pounds) as to put it in a soft bag and make it follow all your steps carrying it everywhere (for performers like me it's a good thing to know that Harpsicles Harps fit in the overhead storage bin or garment closet of most airliners)
You have models with no levers at a really very affordable price to fully levered models. It is important that you decided this first, as the harpsicle harps are not built ready to install them afterwards.If you are intending to change the tuning on stage you better opt for the levers. Most traditional music does only require a few accidentals and thus several options are offered. You also have the option of having an internal electric pickup installed so that your Fullsicle™ Harp can be played directly through an amplifier.
Harpsicle: Basically the range goes from the basic Harpsicle with no levers (like renaissance harps) for music in C and A minor key.
Sharpsicle: With sharping levers on the C and F strings. This allows the harp to play in 6 different keys (C,G,D major and A,E,B minor) without retuning.
Flatsicle: sharping levers on the C, F and B strings. This allows the harp to play in 8 different keys (C,G,D,F major and A,E,B,D minor) without retuning.
And Fullsicles (fully levered)
Above: fully levered fullsicle
They also feature some accessories like pickups, stands, instructional dvds for the newcomer to the instrument and more... Everything you may need to get started!
But overall you're dealing with a small company of crafters that seek the greatest quality and will respond friendly to any question or doubt you may have to chose your harp.
But if you need a harp with more range and still light weighted (only 10 pounds) you still have the option to get the 33 strings Grand Harpsicle.
33 strings grand harpsicle
UPDATE: I got my FULLSICLE!! It is so pretty and it has such a clear lovely tone :). Pickup already installed in it tested and working great and totally addicted to it. It's so small and light! Love it! Below there's a pic of me as the lucky owner of one (thanks to Harpsicle/Rees Harps) for the semi-endorse :)
Above: me with my fullsicle
Overtone flute playing course by Max Brumberg, learn how to play the overtone in 5 minutes. descriptions of playing techniques and samples.
Playing a 38 strings Kantele. Traditional Finnish instrument.
