Harp Adventures

Boy did I go on an adventure....On Saturday last week, I took my harp into Lynchburg for it to be regulated by the world-renowned "harp whisper-er": Howard Bryan. I came by his studio in the morning, and I ended up staying for about three hours. I got to play all of these amazing harps-- it was like being a kid in a candy store. I can't believe I've been living so close to a harp legend all of this time, and I didn't even know it!! Here are some pictures of me playing some of his harps-- I feel so spoiled now. I don't feel like I can go back to my Salvi after playing these AMAZING Erards from the 1800's.


This is an Erard scroll-top from the late 1800's. It has to be the best harp I've ever played. I feel like I've tried on cashmere for the first time, and now I just cannot bear to wear cotton again.... Sigh... I think this harp is my soulmate.  If I had the money, this would be my harp.

This is an Erard gothic style, this is the same style harp that we have in the Sweet Briar museum-- Daisy played the harp, and this is the same harp that she had!

This is an Erard Grecian style. I liked how petite this harp is...it was just my size! It actually has an eighth pedal which opens up the doors on the back of the soundboard to let the sound resonate. Howard said that was more of a marketing tool the harp makers utilized in the 1800's, and it isn't done anymore because it really doesn't have much of a use--it was more just for show. Still, it was really darling.

There it is-- me in harp heaven!! If anyone has an extra thirty-thousand dollars and is interested in buying me a harp... I'm going to point you Howard Bryan's way! HAHA