[Harp-L] Harp Tech With Richard Sleigh

[Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am just back from spending a weekend with Richard Sleigh in his shop, 
studying harp technology. It was a fantastic experience: Books are 
good, but there is nothing quite like face-to-face interaction to learn 
something efficiently and well.

 I learned how to shape, gap, and set reeds, including “another trick 
to try” (and another and another) when initial attempts left me 
unsatisfied. I worked on tuning and replacing reeds, with Richard 
actively encouraging me to make every possible mistake in the shortest 
amount of time so as to compress the learning. “You have to accordion 
at least one reed, “ he said. (And I did. ) I learned how to install a 
wind saver, and now have two Smokey-Joe-tuned harps (Hi, Joe!) and the 
knowledge to convert my other country-tuned harps to SJ-tuning.

 Richard refurbished my chromatic harp while teaching me about its 
workings, and now my chromatic harp is better than new. He taught me a 
fiddle tune and included me in the circle of his family and friends at 
a party on Saturday night, even inviting me to play.

 Studying with Richard is like learning how to fish – in a good fishing 
hole. I would recommend it for anyone.