plumaria_1

<< I ran across a little instrument at the music store today called a
Music
Maker. It looks a little like a little harp that you hold in your lap and
pluck. It comes with sheets of music that slide under the strings and
show you
where to pluck. I also found them online as "lap harps.">>

We have one of these and love it! The sound is so magical, and it is
built so well that I think it can't be broken. (at least not without
real effort)

The sheet music is coded so anyone can play the tunes wether you read
music or not...instant gratification!

I play it more than the kids do at this point. A few months ago, I got
a bit fancy and tried putting a left-hand accompanyment to Minuet in
G...it has a good enough range (2 octaves) that one can play it with
two hands like a piano for some pieces. Again...the harp sounds so
awesome!

My kids have discovered how hitting the strings with a spoon or mallet
that they can also play it like a xylophone.

Tia Leschke

>
>
>My kids have discovered how hitting the strings with a spoon or mallet
>that they can also play it like a xylophone.

Or a hammered dulcimer.
Tia

plumaria_1

>My kids have discovered how hitting the strings with a spoon or mallet
>that they can also play it like a xylophone.

Or a hammered dulcimer.
Tia>>

Ooooh yeah! That is just what it sounds like! THanks for the more
accurate comparison.

Such a versitile instrument , this is!

One also might go around with it pretending it is a lyre (with lots of
extra strings)

pam sorooshian

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pam sorooshian

On Monday, October 13, 2003, at 09:18 PM, plumaria_1 wrote:

> Or a hammered dulcimer.

The forerunner to a hammered dulcimer is an ancient Persian instrument
(also in other mideast countries) called the "santour." I love it. If
you want to hear a bit of it - go to this website and click on one of
the songs in the list at the left. You need Windows Media Player - free
download if you don't already have it.

<http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/zolani>

-pam

[email protected]

I just called to get replacement strings and a case for our Music Maker,
which I bought used (it only has one broken string, but for a couple of years it
worked really well).

In the course of looking for a good place to buy this stuff, I found
www.childrens-musical-instruments.com

And if you go through their menu to Music Maker (through harps maybe?)
and then to harp supplies and Music Maker supplies, they have a LOT of
song-packs. BEAUTIFUL selections.

I would recommend not getting things you don't already know the tune for,
because there's an element of this that's playing by ear--you need to know the
rhythm and tempo in your head already, and then you can follow their notes way
more easily.

http://www.childrens-musical-instruments.com/music_sheet_packets-Music%20Maker
%20Harp.htm

There's the direct link to the music pages.

Our little harp has languished for three years. I'm a bad music-mom.

Now I need to find a place to sell me steel strings for a little harp someone
made me, or I need to find out if it can use nylon. Next musical reclamation
project.

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/14/2003 11:14:08 AM Central Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:

> Our little harp has languished for three years. I'm a bad music-mom.
>
> Now I need to find a place to sell me steel strings for a little harp
> someone
> made me, or I need to find out if it can use nylon. Next musical
> reclamation
> project.
>

Hey, Sandra, I'd be willing to buy a used Music Maker! The lowest I have
found so far is $30.00 plus shipping and I have no idea where to advertise that
I'm looking for a used one.
Amy Kagey
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/14/03 10:32:39 AM, amycats2@... writes:

<< Hey, Sandra, I'd be willing to buy a used Music Maker! The lowest I have
found so far is $30.00 plus shipping and I have no idea where to advertise
that
I'm looking for a used one. >>

From what I just saw, $30 is a good price!!
I don't think you'd regret paying that much.

They go on up to $50 with a packet of music and an extra string.

I wouldn't advertise looking for one. Then people will jack the price up.
I'd just check e-bay sometimes.

Sandra