Cool Stuff #2
I was interested in the different styles of harps in Latin America. There are quite a few of them. Each country seems to have their own version. The first video is of a man playing a Venezuelan harp. He is almost lying on his back. This harp is slightly smaller than some of the other ones I have found. I was intrigued by the intricate rhythms, which sounded strange and complicated to my ear, and by the dissonant notes in the bass. It seems like the harp has a unique tuning to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAsa7hIYQMI
The next video is an example of a Peruvian harp. It is larger and highly decorated. The strings have more colors on them. If you look close you can see a carving of a dove on top of the harp. The sound box has an octagonal shape instead of being rectangular. The bass strings sound lower to me, and I hear the dissonance in them as in the first video. The rhythm, melody, and amount of repetition make it similar to the Sanjuan pieces we heard in class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGekI78yE2s
The Paraguayan harp has a well-rounded, full, beautiful tone. Its most characteristic feature is the deep curve of the neck, called an harmonic curve. Concert harps have them, but most folk harps have a straighter neck. The strings are attached to the tuning pegs in the middle of the neck instead of on one side of the neck, creating less tension on the harp. The harp itself is very lightweight. The piece in the video has an extremely soothing and calming effect on me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-KZpSZVSJ4
I watched your first posted video. It was quite entertaining to see him laying back like that. Also, he didn't even have any picks on his fingers. Those are some strong fingernails! It is strange to me to see a harp played in such a relaxed environment. My only experience with someone playing the harp is in a formal concert setting.
ReplyDeleteThe Venezuela harpist was incredible! He seemed to be playing very quickly with confidence. I found the dissonant harmonies interesting and a bit out of place with the rest of the song.
ReplyDeleteThe Peruvian harp music sounds more exotic to my ear than the first song. I am surprised that harps are twangy. I always thought of them as warm sounding instruments.
The Paraguayan harpist's song is one that I very much resonate with it. It is so beautiful. I like how he plays bass notes. I may not have know this was a harp had I not seen the video.