There are an amazing number of wedding harpists for hire throughout Pennsylvania. Though it would have been common in the past to only book someone through referral, online websites promoting talented musicians are changing that. Before booking, it is helpful to have a few tips about how to choose the right one.
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.
One good way to secure the songs you want to hear at the wedding is to ask each players for a song list. These are easily available because it allows people to select what they like, and warn the performer far in advance if anything new must be learned. Due to limitations in the instruments, certain selections may not be possible. Check the gig sites for this information, and ask the musician if they can accommodate learning new pieces.
When you see what each performer is wearing, you may get an idea of their musical focus. Classicists often wear formal attire, while Scottish and Irish players often wear kilts. This is an easy way to find Celtic players, or not, as the case may be.
Many classicists wear formal gowns or concert black attire for their promotional photographs. Those who play jazz and popular favorites often dress in beautiful casual clothing. These are basics, but not always definitive. The professional will be clear about what they can and cannot do.
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.
One good way to secure the songs you want to hear at the wedding is to ask each players for a song list. These are easily available because it allows people to select what they like, and warn the performer far in advance if anything new must be learned. Due to limitations in the instruments, certain selections may not be possible. Check the gig sites for this information, and ask the musician if they can accommodate learning new pieces.
When you see what each performer is wearing, you may get an idea of their musical focus. Classicists often wear formal attire, while Scottish and Irish players often wear kilts. This is an easy way to find Celtic players, or not, as the case may be.
Many classicists wear formal gowns or concert black attire for their promotional photographs. Those who play jazz and popular favorites often dress in beautiful casual clothing. These are basics, but not always definitive. The professional will be clear about what they can and cannot do.
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.
About the Author:
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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