Chiff and Fipple Forums

Just curious, but how was your accent? I know that you've been working hard on your Irish for some time. Could everyone in the Gaeltacht spot you right off? Thanks for the photos. BTW, any idea what a 'moal' is? Its from the title of a polka I like, The Top of the Moal. I have a pretty good accent ...

Thanks RedWolf. Her harp's soundbox indeed has a flare.. well, the triangular shape. I shall look into Harpsicles! I don't know much about harps, I thought the only mobile alternatives were the mini harps or lyre harps.. I don't think they are useful alternatives for my GF. And they even have trian...

Good idea about the pre-boarding. My GF's harp has 27 strings. I'll measure it (or rather the padded bag) and then do some thinking. -Tor The limiting factor on most harps is the base. Typically, they flare out significantly at the base (or, as my daughter puts it, "they have big butts")....

That's good to hear Redwolf. I have occasionally brought musical instruments on flights, and sometimes it's a bit nerve-wrecking. Once I ended up on economy class on a completely packed European flight and there was no overhead space available at all. Luckily I had been given a free upgrade to busi...

Nanohedron wrote:Not the fortune cookie; what's the saying? Invented by the Japanese, popularised by the Chinese, and consumed primarily by Americans. You won't see 'em in China, though.

Invented by the Japanese IN SAN FRANCISCO (just had to get that in!)

Redwolf

Just back from a month in Ireland (most of it spent in the Donegal Gaeltacht, but with side trips to Dublin, Derry, and An Ceathrú Rua). Here are some pics, if you're interested! Dublin: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4665860664006.1073741830.1818238081&type=1&l=4c00bb70fc Gleann ...

Thought I'd come back and let you all know the outcome! As it happens, I had no trouble at all. I was a bit nervous before boarding in San Francisco, and asked the gate clerk if she thought I'd have any trouble fitting the harp on board. She suggested I board the flight during pre-boarding (when the...

Derek Bell did indeed play the cláirseach . He didn't however use the fingernail technique in playing it. His album Carolan's Receipt opens with the wire strung harp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQFC_V_IS0E&feature=youtube_gdata_player http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQFC_V_IS0E All harps are...

Do you know anything about your hosts? Something like California-native sea shells or rocks/stones/gems might be welcome. CDs of local bands -- There's loads of stuff that I love from your area -- Kate Price, Danny Carnahan (preferably with Chris Caswell) , Robin Petrie with or without Danny, Shell...

... Ann Heymann ... Nobody in the world of the wire-strung harp has managed to pull of a style as exquisite and sophisticated as hers, at least in my humble opinion. I will have to look for some recordings of her I guess. Derek Bell (was) and Siobhán Armstrong is right up there at the top my list r...

Hey all, I'm going to be leaving for Ireland in a couple of weeks, and I'd like to think of some small, easily portable, gifts to give to friends and hosts there. I've been wracking my brain and can't come up with anything. Most of the things I can think of that represent California are either expen...

Just thought I'd share that I contacted the Wm. Rees company (which makes Harpsicles) about this, and got a very nice email back from Pamela Rees saying she flies frequently with her Harpsicle, both internationally and domestically, and she's never had a problem. The only time it wouldn't fit somewh...

I'd recommend calling the airline and asking the dimensions of their overhead bins. Some airlines are less likely to have problems than others. I recently read in another forum that a certain airline was letting people put instruments in the closet near the cabin, which was much bigger than the ove...

I'm going to Ireland in July (a month-long stay in Donegal to study Irish...woo hoo!), and I'd really like to take my Harpsicle with me. I chickened out the last time I went to Ireland and decided not to bring it, and kicked myself the entire time because on my first day there I met another American...

Níl aon Gaeilge na hAlbhann agam, faraor, ach is cláirseóir mise fosta.

Redwolf