Why Pedal Harps Cost As Much As A Car To Buy And Maintain | So Expensive | Business Insider
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- Pedal harps can cost $70,000 - far more than lever harps, which cost $2,000 to $9,000. At first glance, a pedal harp looks like a simple frame with a row of strings. But there are complicated mechanisms inside that musicians use to change notes. At Camac Harps in France, every harp is carved and assembled by hand. For musicians like Grammy-nominated artist Brandee Younger, the pedal harp resonates with sonic potential.
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - How a pedal harp works
01:59 - Why owning a pedal harp is so expensive
03:06 - Building the mechanism
04:14 - Using the pedals
04:45 - Selecting wood for the soundboard
06:26 - Wood carving
07:21 - Strings price and materials
08:02 - Harp assembly
09:00 - The artisans behind every harp
09:25 - Pedal harps vs lever harps
10:14 - Pedal harp design
10:43 - Brandee Younger performance
11:54 - Credits
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Why Pedal Harps Are So Expensive | So Expensive | Business Insider
I’ve just started learning to play the harp a month ago, it’s like you knew I’d wanna see this!
I loved watching Brandee Younger play, I’m finding all her music now thanks to this video!
Thanks for sharing!
Did you need to take out a mortgage for your harp?
@@theshapeexists Haha no I didn’t get a pedal harp! I have a little 22-string Celtic harp with levers- I will probably never have a pedal harp, but they’re beautiful!
@@thesamwisegamegee awesome. Never stop playing. Been playing guitar since 1995
@@theshapeexists there are several ways to purchase a pedal harp. There are companies that specialize in financing musical instruments, bank loans. Many people just save for years to purchase. If you don't require a brand new one there are many perfectly wonderful pre owed ones listed on various platforms and in harp centers on consignment. All of my pedal harps are pre owned .
As a harp maker from L&H, I so incredibly love hearing how Brandee Younger makes our instruments sing.
I remember riding the Lake Street L from Oak Park to downtown Chicago and saw the Lyon & Healy building MANY times.
Thank you for contributing to the beauty in our lives. And, yes! The harp comes alive in her hands.
I wish I could afford a Salzedo model, only the price jumped from £38k the other year to £55k, although I suspect they may cost even more now. I don't know any UK harpists that have a Salzedo - maybe the Art Deco look doesn't appeal to UK tastes. My teacher has a Style 23 gold while I once had a Salvi Arianna.
Interesting to see the Camac's columns have a carbon fibre core and the wood is purely decorative outer cladding on them.
Such a beautiful instrument. Amazing
Get a room
FINALLY a so expensive that is legitimately warranted. The last few have just been expensive for opulence and because they can charge more, or because it's mostly a labour intensive process where inexpensive industrialized alternatives already exist.
Industrialized alternative is a weak argument my dude. Human seeks meaning, just like the one you found this harp.
Id say this is pretty labor intensive
A lot about Salt. Lots of freaking Salts.
Sooo many salt videos.
Its like a pipe organ- A typical medium-size pipe organ is around $500,000. Very labor intensive to produce and maintain. So as a result, more places are using keyboards using samples instead. Its just too expensive.
The harp is truly one of the most magical and calming instruments out there. The instrument of the gods.
I'm classically trained, played at Carnegie - harpists are by FAR the rarest musicians I have met. I have met one for every hundred violinists.
I'm classically trained, played at Carnegie - harpists are by FAR the rarest musicians I have met. I have met one for every hundred violinists.
I wonder how many great harpists have never been able to grace our ears with unknown musical skill, simply because they couldn't afford the cost of the instrument?
This is so real. Sometimes I ask myself that too.
During my early twenties I wanted to study and master the harp, it was my dream. It still is. But after studying for two years I decided to quit. I had to do it. The pain of not learning it was infinitely more tolerable than the fact of being able to master it knowing that I could never really play it. I just couldn't afford it.
@@De-sonrosados-dedos This comment really saddens me! I couldn't honestly think of a day without playing my harp! Certainly, if you can return to the harp, I think you should! I'd been learning for a couple of years on a basic no-lever Harpsicle Harp and suddenly realised that it would be truly difficult to proceed into more intermediate music without levers. That's when I ran the issue pass my mother and she actually managed to find an organisation that donated instruments to musicians who actually had a harp (apparently, harps, even beginner ones, are very rare to come across for donation)! I'd been blessed to inherit someone's old harp with levers and it's really made a difference. All I'm saying is certainly don't give up, there are people out there who may have something to donate, there are cheaper harps they may be able to give you the sound and feel you desire without the cost (for example if you enjoy pedal harps the Lyon & Healy Prelude 40 is a great alternative). Please go back to your dream! Thanks you reading my long ass message!
You can apply that logic to anything ever, the other half of the tragedy is time too!
They hopefully choose a less "demanding" instrument!?!
5
Lyon and Healy was mentioned. It is probably the only American harp maker. I am 77 and when I was a child they had a large multi-story building in downtown Chicago selling all sorts of instruments, accessories, sheet music and had many instructors who worked there. Sadly the building is no longer a music business and all they now do is to make harps somewhere.
there are many harp companies in america, but lyon and healy is absolutely the most famous. They still produce their harps in Chicago and have been for about 130 years so they have some more experience than Camac.
They also used to sell rebranded Hammond organs. I'm glad they decided to focus on making/selling fewer types of instruments. I'd rather them be known for making a great harp, then rebranding and selling other manufacturers products.
Actually Lyon & Healy’s was still in the same building on Ogden and W. Lake St. they were in the process of moving buildings to a newer location but construction delays set it back. I was an employee of them last year and the plan was to move everyone except the woodworking departments in by the end of 2023. Don’t know if the move has happened or not yet, but it was sad leaving that historic building behind.
Watching masters ply their craft is one of the great pleasures of my life. Calling them artisans is truth yet not nearly enough to describe the exquisite perfection of what they produce. Masterpieces created by masters at their craft.
I had no idea what was hidden by the beautiful exterior. Hadn't gotten around to wondering until today. I'm so impressed by every artist in this video, including the musician.
Beautiful to look at. So graceful and elegant. Heavenly to listen to.
Thank you for the upload.
I hope I never stop wanting to learn new stuff. It keeps my mind sharp.
Beautiful Expressed!
The choices of the music during the video is perfect. Such a great video.
Thanks for watching!
6:00 when she mentions the joy of feeling the instrument reverbirate against you as you play, I felt that! Like if i'm playing a bass, I lean against it and feel the direct transfer of energy
And at a bargain price!! Relatively speaking, lol
@@kierenmoore3236 I showed this video to my mom who plays flute. And she thought getting new pads put in cost a lot! I wonder if a talented harp player (harpist?) can get enough work to do it full time, or do they all have cushy jobs to finance it? There is another of these videos covering oboes I believe. Those also have incredibly complex, time consuming to machine parts as well
@@BigboiiTone I’ll never complain about buying guitar strings, again.
Are you referring to bass guitar or is it a REAL bass. I played the contrabass viol professionally for 38 years until I had a health crisis in 2018.
@@notmyworld44 Attempts to divide people and start arguements really don't help anyone. Tired of the stereotypical views of certain instruments
So expensive vs still standing series, made by hand in the 1st world vs made by hand in the 3rd 😅
wow, i hadnt even thought of that, makes ya think
I’m a bass trombonist who plays in mostly classical music and the harp is by far the most unique and majestic instrument on the stage.
I play in a community orchestra and my schools orchestra as I’m only 18 and am finishing up school but I absolutely love hearing the harp it’s such a beautiful sound and so complex
Greetings from Sweden
My orchestra teacher in middle school was principally a harpist. Some composers never wrote any parts of the harp (Beethoven for one), so when she wasn't playing the harp, she would play the viola.
Once a year, she would cart her gigantic harp to the school to play it for us. It's difficult to comprehend the size and complexity of a harp until you've seen one in person.
But clearly that day was a memorable one for us!
Harps are truly beautiful!
C'est étrange de constater l'absence de commentaires en langue française alors que cette entreprise, la CAMAC, est on ne peut plus française. Un artisanat d'excellence, discret dans la campagne auprès d'Ancenis, qui mérite d'être davantage connu et encouragé.
Well, I certainly learned more about harps in the last few minutes than I ever knew before. I had no idea.
It's wonderful to see such an intricate piece of equipment, and her skills are so sharp on it.
Learn something new today. I appreciate the artistry in the instrumental.
Thanks for watching!
The music in this video is beautiful
I have helped move harps and the vehicle that some harpists I know like are minivans because they need to lay down when they are been transported in a car. I have worked on processing Harp music scores for a library and the repertoire vast for this instrument which kept growing as more harpists donated their sheet music to it.
Fascinating. I had no idea. Thanks for sharing.
I was fortunate enough to purchase a used Lyon & Healy Style 23 harp about 15 years ago. This harp usually goes for about $43,250, but I was able to get it for half that price! Buying a harp is literally an investment! I have been a harpist for 23 years now, and in the past I have been allowed to play in my city's orchestra. Unfortunately, my current apartment is not large enough for a pedal harp, so the harp stays with my parents. I have a smaller lever harp to maintain my skills! My performing days are over, but I still love playing the harp!
Wonderful video. Brandee is a very charming. Her passion is very evident! I have always been transfixed by Harp Music. Especially,
The brass-wound "Celtic" harp which has a very unique bell like sound.
Loved her playing. Beautiful music is priceless...
I play keyboard, and I often put it on the "Harp" sound because I find it is the most forgiving sound. Even if you get it wrong, the sound is so nice, it is far less glaring than when using a harsher sound, such as a bright piano tone.
Thank you for putting the name of the song in the video by Brandee Younger. I just added it to my playlist and I'm about to listen to it on repeat. 🙂
Wow $500 for strings? Im sticking with 12 string guitar. I admire your dedication my dear
Very insightful and interesting mini doc and Brandee Younger is inspiring. Now I want a pedal harp too.
Great video, learned alot! Thanks!
Beautiful sounding and beautifully played harp !! Thank you!
A favorite of old money. Exquisite.
it truly is a beautiful thing, sound and spectacle
Part of the reason it's expensive is that harps aren't a popular instrument and it's not worth mass producing. There's no reason pianos are cheaper, harps just don't have the same level of innovation and economies of scale.
Performance pianos are more expensive. A 7-foot Steinway grand piano is $135,000. A 9-foot Steinway is $217,000. They are also expensive to maintain.
Fascinating. I am a tiny bit smarter today. Thank You for this video! Best Regards and Best Wishes!
That’s a great video. Enjoyed it. ❤
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
True craftsmen. Beautiful works of art.
Another excellent video. It was fascinating to see the cratsmanship and artistry that goes into making these pedal harps. Very interesting and educational video. Amazing instruments.....each with a soul of its own. Beautiful worksmanship.
Simply fascinating!!
Super video. Excellent in every way.
I am happy that she is able to make her living as a professional harpist. I wonder how many people in the whole world can make that claim. Congratulations!
You'll hear a lot of harps in Opera. Wagner loved using harps in Der Ring Des Nibelungen.
In contrast, the cheapest professional orchestral instrument (not counting small percussion etc) is probably the trumpet. A professional trumpet like a Bach Stradivarius is "only" $3500 but is used in top orchestras like the Chicago Symphony.*
(the top guys are going to customize their instrument with bespoke mouthpiece and leadpipe and tuning crook, etc, but the base trumpet is pretty inexpensive)
Telecasters from the East are cheaper and play just as good after a good setup. prices start at $100, upwards.
I love this magical instrument!
The harp is a fantastic instrument for many different kinds of music. I’m pleased she uses it for a broad range
Very interesting video!
Beautiful 🤩 thank you for sharing 🙏.
Beautiful video thank you
My favourite "harp" scene in the movies is when Harpo Marx destroys a grand piano, to remove its frame. Therein we see a master musician play beautiful music. Every Harpist's favourite treat.
I had no idea about harp construction. Very nice video!
Interesting!!! 😮❤ This instrument is used in Paraguay for the Polka Paraguaya essentially..!!! The armomy is so calm...,
😌
Such elegance!
I love Brandee Younger!
Incredible video. I will never look at a harp the same. Now when i look at a herp i will think $$$
Thank you for the wonderful video Business Insider
Can you play it
Thanks for watching!
A long time ago, I shared tickets for the classical music series at Meadowbrook. I happened to attend the performance of Joshua Bell; quite young at the time. I sat up suddenly, not having a clue who he was. I exclaimed: "THAT HAS TO BE A STRADIVARIUS!" I was right. Shortly before that, I was doing massage on a woman whose daughter was a violinist for the Detroit Symphony. I was also traveling to Chicago regularly. Anyway, I brought home a violin for her to try out. It was also a Stradavarius. Scared me half to death: "What if something happens to it??!" The owner of the store simply said: "It's insured.
Sounds wonderful.
What an amazing video! My two favorite harpists are Harpo Marx and Dorothy Ashby who plays harp on Stevie Wonder’s song, “If It’s Magic”.
Thank you for the teaching impressive
God I loved this episode. Touched me deeply. Music and art just grabs me in their purest forms. Extremely talented artisans and wow the music she was playing. You can tell the insane amount of time and dedication the artisans and the artist put into their art.
Magnificent artisans and a radiant beauty harpist.
Amazing information....
Such masterpieces... 😍
As an example of the harp being taken to unexpected genres, check out The Harp Twins. Along with more traditional harp music, they also re-arrange hard rock and metal songs for the harp.
Masterpiece Presentation
Fascinating.
The concert harp was invented at about the same time as the piano, but the latter became so popular that its manufacture was industrialised, making it an order of magnitude cheaper for a run-of-the-mill instrument, while the pedal harp stayed artisanal because of less demand.
Nowadays I think you could slash costs by replacing the typewriter-style technology of the pedals by electromechanical controls, and leaving out all the lovely decoration. You'd still have to pay for the spruce soundboard, but they said that was a comparitively small part of the cost.
You could go further, and replace the wood by carbon fibre...
Or you could go the whole hog and replace the soundboard by pickups, like an electric guitar! I bet Brandee Younger would love it. She could add distortion pedals to her sharp/flat pedals 😊
When did carbon fiber became cheaper than wood? 😅
@@gcolombelli It depends on the wood I think. My understanding is that carbon fibre is cheaper than the top quality spruce used for soundboards.
Brandee stroke one note and i was like ‘yeah, is worth it’
Wow 👍👏amazing
I paid $20,000 for one of these 25 years ago and it will outlive us all. It’s worth more now. It’s a Camac.
I had no idea there are pedal harps and how expen$ive they are. Love the So Expensive series. Thanks BI.
The alternative is to buy a cross strung harp 5/7 can be 38 strings which is small and covered 3 octave and easier to carried around 😅.
Thanks for the info. But 3 octaves is way less than the 6 1/2 octaves of a concert harp, so the repertoire must be more limited.
@@gerardvila4685 that's why there's a pedal effect Boss OC-5. Which allows mini harp able to play 2 octave lower or higher than it's original sounding. Now 38 strings crossed strung harp can have 6 octave and more ideal for busking outdoors.
@@Joseph_harpist funny you mention that cause cross strung harp with Boss OC is exactly my plan for later this year. I'm however not sure if I should go with a cross strung chromatic or stay in diatonic realm and make one where octaves would cross, giving me 5 or 6 octaves on a much more compact body...
She's got such a lovely and infectious personality.
“Harps are probably most known for glissando. But we are the only ones that can do that” trombone? piano? violin? viola? cello? double bass? Most instruments can do a glissando of some sorts, if not a smooth one.
I always wondered what harp does Emily Hopkins have... I knew the brand but now I saw how they are made. It's just unreal
She has a Electroacoustic Camac Little Big Blue 44 strings I think :) search it up
It's made in France
@@HarpPianoCello Thanks man :)
Even the Angels 😇 play harps .They sound so beautiful.
About a century ago, Lyon and Healy made some pianos. My grandmother bought one of their baby grands. I have it now, but before long I will need to downsize. I have no idea what to do with it, and would gladly pass it on to anyone who would be willing to have it moved to its new home.
Pianos are the one thing that are hard to get rid of, so many offered all over the place for free for the hauling because they are very heavy and no one wants to pay piano movers $1,000 and more to move them, it's even worse if they have to go up/down stairs! Player pianos that dont work are another one- they are even heavier and unless someone has the motivations and skills to repair its mechanism, they cant afford it.
@@HobbyOrganist You have just spelled out what I feared.
L&H also made mandolins.
btw brandee younger is a genius and her last record in particular never runs stale
My god, I knew hand built instruments are expensive, but damn!
Never heard the harp as a main piece, but as an accompaniment, it sounds great as lead
YOu should really check out some harp solo and harp concerto. Check out Xavier de maistre, Joel Von lerber, Josh layne and Alexander Boldachev :) some of the current greatest harpists
Check out Andreas Vollenweider.
I want one now!
Amazing instrument! The sounds are so unique!🤩
Great video expect for the dei harp player.
Very cool
my daughter is a harpist.....it is like being in heaven when she plays it.
Beautiful! that lady is talented
So beautiful, these harps look like they were made by the Elves in Rivendell.
3:20 What's the name of the song in the backround, please? I wish i listen this music forever.... Thank you !
Nice ❤
The most expensive accordion(the instrument I play) costs $40,000, the Pigini Mythos. I couldn't imagine paying that much for an instrument unless I were a professional musician.
What species of wood is best for the column head. I would be terrified to lift a splinter that would destroy days of work.
I had no idea these things are soo gigantic!
I was waiting for the intro to "The boy is mine"🤣
bone chills to the spine
6:05 His back hand placement on that jointer scares me 😅
It cuts away at the moment im sure he repositions it. The machine has a guard, he cant get his hand to the blade. The way it was edited it does look a little sketch.
Does someone know the song that starts to play at 3:15? The flute is lovely
Reply this when someone find it.
And after all that some rando you haven't spoken to since high school will message you and ask you to play their wedding for free 😆
Kidding aside, even a lever harp is a serious investment. But the harp is such a wonderful instrument and as Brandee Younger says, deserves a place in all kinds of music, not just the orchestra.
TIL harpists are bigger gear nerds than drummers. :D
I have a lever harp, 27 string, just about portable, and that cost a pretty penny. A pedal harp is a huge investment, not to mention takes up a lot of space and is very difficult to transport. Decided not to deal with all that.
Please do bassoon or contrabassoon! Heckle is the Ferrari of bassoons and And they cost More than this harp sometimes!
I always thought of a harp as a vertical piano without the felt hammers, keys, and body😊
Welp, I'm a harp guy now lol
Can you play it?
@@StaceyAudrey-ed7fc Nope. But I can appreciate it a lot more now.
Where are you from, hope you don't mind
@@StaceyAudrey-ed7fc New Jersey
Pedal harps are expensive, and not everyone can afford it for both price and size. Yes, you can play anything on it, which you can't do with lever harp. But lever harp is more portable, muuuch more cheaper, and it is still a good choice if you are going to play solo. Good quality lever harp is better than have nothing :)
... This Lady Looks Really Good and Work's That Harp 1:39
.... Splendiferous Indeed 🏴🥂🌄