The state of Pennsylvania is home to many professional harpists seeking work at various event venues. Securing a proper referral for someone can be a hit and miss proposition. But there are several websites on the Internet that promote talented musicians. Before reserving that all important person, having some tips about harps will help ease the process.
Depending on how this musician will be placed during the wedding day, style and ability will be important. Classicists will be best during a formal wedding, folk harpists for a wedding honoring family traditions, and jazz and popular players for the cocktail and reception hours. Each of the these styles can be played on different kinds of instruments. Folk harps are often smaller and held on the lap, while concert versions are large and heavy, standing on the floor. Reserving the best professional harp players for weddings philadelphia offers can be confusing at first.
It would seem a simple task to choose between musical styles. Looking over online booking websites will give you an idea of what you might find. Each musician will display years of experience, information about classical training and any conservatory degrees held. But it is difficult to know how each one sounds, and that is key, too. Celtic musicians advertise this genre. Photos of the harps with their owners and specific descriptions will tell you the size and color of the instrument.
Keep in mind that not all instruments are alike. There is a difference between what folk and concert versions can play. This has nothing to do with the ability of the player, it has to do with other limitations. Concert harps have foot pedals that allow for modulations, or playing from higher to lower in pitch. They can also handle accidentals, which are the changes in pitch that require smaller half step distances between notes. Folk harps are often held in the lap, and have no pedals and cannot change keys.
For the non musician who simply loves harp music, asking for song lists is a good way to discover if the person can play favorite songs. Most people truly want to hear some personal favorites, so this is a good starting place. The promotional websites often provide a list for each musician.
Looking closely at the attire of the advertising performer is also a way to know their style. Those who play primarily Irish, Scottish, Welsh or British folk tunes often wear costumes from their country of origin. Kilts on men and plaid scarves and skirts on women indicate the expertise they have.
Classically trained performers often have professional photographs showing them wearing formal concert gowns or tuxedos. This does not mean they are not flexible enough to include popular pieces or jazz, but does indicate a certain sensibility about what is appropriate clothing for the most formal weddings. When unsure about their abilities, ask. Highly skilled professionals will be very clear about what they have to offer and what is not possible for them.
Try to hire a local harpist when possible. Traveling with these large and heavy instruments takes extra time for packing, unloading and tuning at the wedding venue. Harpists must plan their traveling and performance details far in advance. They will be likely to charge mileage fees over and above their customary wedding fees. You will need to factor the extra costs into your budget and consider if the lovely sounds of strings is worth the anxiety of waiting for them to arrive from far away.
Depending on how this musician will be placed during the wedding day, style and ability will be important. Classicists will be best during a formal wedding, folk harpists for a wedding honoring family traditions, and jazz and popular players for the cocktail and reception hours. Each of the these styles can be played on different kinds of instruments. Folk harps are often smaller and held on the lap, while concert versions are large and heavy, standing on the floor. Reserving the best professional harp players for weddings philadelphia offers can be confusing at first.
It would seem a simple task to choose between musical styles. Looking over online booking websites will give you an idea of what you might find. Each musician will display years of experience, information about classical training and any conservatory degrees held. But it is difficult to know how each one sounds, and that is key, too. Celtic musicians advertise this genre. Photos of the harps with their owners and specific descriptions will tell you the size and color of the instrument.
Keep in mind that not all instruments are alike. There is a difference between what folk and concert versions can play. This has nothing to do with the ability of the player, it has to do with other limitations. Concert harps have foot pedals that allow for modulations, or playing from higher to lower in pitch. They can also handle accidentals, which are the changes in pitch that require smaller half step distances between notes. Folk harps are often held in the lap, and have no pedals and cannot change keys.
For the non musician who simply loves harp music, asking for song lists is a good way to discover if the person can play favorite songs. Most people truly want to hear some personal favorites, so this is a good starting place. The promotional websites often provide a list for each musician.
Looking closely at the attire of the advertising performer is also a way to know their style. Those who play primarily Irish, Scottish, Welsh or British folk tunes often wear costumes from their country of origin. Kilts on men and plaid scarves and skirts on women indicate the expertise they have.
Classically trained performers often have professional photographs showing them wearing formal concert gowns or tuxedos. This does not mean they are not flexible enough to include popular pieces or jazz, but does indicate a certain sensibility about what is appropriate clothing for the most formal weddings. When unsure about their abilities, ask. Highly skilled professionals will be very clear about what they have to offer and what is not possible for them.
Try to hire a local harpist when possible. Traveling with these large and heavy instruments takes extra time for packing, unloading and tuning at the wedding venue. Harpists must plan their traveling and performance details far in advance. They will be likely to charge mileage fees over and above their customary wedding fees. You will need to factor the extra costs into your budget and consider if the lovely sounds of strings is worth the anxiety of waiting for them to arrive from far away.
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If you need help selecting the most talented harp players for weddings Philadelphia is the right place to find these musicians. Take a look at the following site containing all the info at http://www.meghankdavis.com.
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