[Harp-L] Low-Keyed Harps and Emotional Affect

[Aeskow@xxxxxxx]

The cost of low-keyed harps, whether out-of-the-box or custom-built, is of  
course a valid concern, but one that should be weighed against the power of  
their expressiveness.  I play a Low D built by Richard Sleigh and a Low C  
Seydel through a standard Green Bullet, and I'm struck by the impact they have  on 
listeners.  Since I'm very influenced by hard-bop tenor-sax players,  these 
harps allow me to play horn-like lines with a deeper sonority than I could  
otherwise obtain, especially for ballads; but they also give rich colors to  
standard blues.  Of course they demand a more focussed and conscientious  breathing 
discipline, but I find that when I switch back to standard-keyed harps  that 
same discipline gives sharper control and subtlety of tone.  Needless  to say, 
Richard's Low D in particular is a marvel of craftsmanship, but I'd also  
encourage anyone on the fence to invest in the Seydels, too.
 
Peace and Respect,
Johnny T