Ah good.. People still actually read the postings on this list.. That's
an encouraging sign :-)
Toby
Cynthia Cathcart wrote:
> At 10:19 AM 10/2/02 -0700, you wrote:
>
>> The Gaelic harp students in Staffin, Edinburgh, Dingwall and Ullapool
>> who might attend the Edinburgh F�is an Fhoghair have a right to know
>> whether or not the cl�rsach being taught is their instrument or not,
>> without having to ring for clarification. A teacher of "Scottish harp"
>> (to use Alison's and Wendy's term) may or may not be able to handle
>> these students, studying the older Gaelic fingernail technique which
>> is a universe apart
>
>
> Toby, thank you so much for sharing this with us! What an important
> posting!
>
> I'm so glad to see Barnaby writing about this to the F�is an Fhoghair.
> He brings up an important distinction. I was told just two weeks ago by
> a professional nylon/lever harpist that the only difference between
> Fingerpad and Nail players was the instrument we choose to play. I just
> couldn't believe it!
>
> Rather like saying the only difference between the Highland pipers and
> the Shuttle pipers is the instrument they choose.
>
> Of course, wire-strung harpers are pretty used to this. It comes up now
> and then as a topic on the wireharp list. Barnaby is absolutely right: a
> workshop led by a nylon/gut harper, even if they are the best in the
> world, may be of only nominal use to a wire-strung harper.
>
> I wonder if Barnaby's words will have some good effect with the Feis.
> That would be wonderful! If anyone on the list is interested in what
> wire harp is all about, do check out www.clarsach.net. The site is full
> of great information, and is helping the wire harp revival continue.
>
> --Cynthia Cathcart
> http://www.cynthiacathcart.net/
>
>
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>
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