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DVDs
Updated January 8, 2012
 
 
1. The Thormahlen Harps Workshop: The Making of a Harp


Oregon Art Beat, from the Oregon Public Broadcasting Television Station, came to our home and shop in October of 2005. They filmed 4 hours of what happens here at Thormahlen Harps and condensed it into an 8 minute video clip that aired June 1, 2006. We hope you enjoy learning about our harps from this video. Time: 7:48

The tunes played in this video are as follows:

22: Confluence (from Gossamer Gate book)

2:31 Song for a Whale (A Rose In Winter)

6:33 Sunstream (Gossamer Gate)

To see more about the workshop, go to Our Shop

2. Thormahlen Harps Endorsements


Here are comments from 4 of our customers who tell you about the experience of their Thormahlen Harps. Also are some portions of an interview with Dave. Time: 7:44

1. Kathy: A Certified Music Practitioner (one who plays for hospital and hospice patients). She plays a Cherry Cygnet.

2. Rachel: a teenager and her mother Tina. She plays a Serenade.

3. Marilyn: a woman new to music in her life. She plays a Mahogany Swan.

4. Laura Zaerr: A professional harpist, teacher and harp professor from the University of Oregon in Eugene. She plays a Koa Swan.

 
To read more about what our customers say, go to the endorsements page

3. About Thormahlen Harps, Hear them played


Here are some details about Thormahlen Harps. You can hear Sharon Thormahlen play the same tune (A Rose In Winter which you can find on the books page of this website) on the 3 models of harps that we make: The Swan, The Cygnet and The Serenade, made out of a variety of woods (8 harps in all). Time: 4:54

This is a list of the harps played on the video clip:

1. Maple Cygnet/Spruce soundboard, Folk Gut Strings

2. Bubinga Cygnet/redwood veneered Spruce, Folk Gut

3. Koa Swan, Cedar veneered Spruce, Folk Gut Strings

4. Cherry Cygnet, Cedar veneered Spruce, Nylon Strings

5. Walnut Cygnet, Cedar soundboard, Folk Gut Strings

6. Cherry Swan, Spruce soundboard, Nylon Strings

7. Serenade, Mahogany, Nylon Strings

8. Maple Swan, Spruce soundboard, Nylon Strings

See what's in stock

4. Setting up for the Thormahlen Harps video


As we were setting up, the camera was rolling and this is what became of that footage. Time: 2:37

Co-Dependent Polka was written by Sharon Thormahlen and performed by her band, The Swing Beans of which Dave was also a member. The album is available on the music page of this website. (The album is called Dessert First).

 
5. Boxing a Harp

The video link below shows you how to unpack your Thormahlen harp so that you can save your box in case you ever need it. Please watch this before you receive your harp so you'll know exactly how to unpack your harp.
At the end are also some helpful hints on carrying your harp in it's case. Let us know if you have any questions. Time: 7:08
 
6. Tuning Pin Slippage

Sometimes when you get a new harp, the tuning pins will slip. This is due to the change in humidity possibly in it's new home or during shipping.

The tuning pins are tapered so that the diameter of the pin gets larger on the side that the tuning key fits. De-tune the string about a half of a turn, and then as you turn the pin to tune the string back up, push the pin in. You can provide counter pressure by bracing the neck of the harp with your left hand, while pushing in with the key in your right.

This video will demonstrate this. 0:56
   
7. Putting on a Bass Wire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgmrKe44o-E

In order to successfully put on your bass wires,pull the string all the way through the tuning pin straight up. Cut it off 1 1/2-2" above the tuning pin. Push it back down so it is ALMOST flush with the tuning pin, just barely sticking out (less than the width of the string). Begin winding the slack around the tuning pin until you have it to pitch. This method is a good way to cut down on sharp edges cutting you or your case.

This video will demonstrate this. 0:44
 
8. String Tying
 
Please click on the links below to view videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLslEP1t-b4

string tying 1:

This video will demonstrate how to tie a knot for the upper strings on your harp. These have gauges like .025-.040. These are the thinner strings on your harp with the higher notes.

0:58

string tying 2:

This video will demonstrate how to tie a knot for the lower strings of your harp with gauges like .045 and up. These are the thicker things on your harp with the lower notes.

1:00
   
 

 

 

Thormahlen Harps | 1876 SW Brooklane Corvallis, Oregon 97333 | (541) 753-4334 | harps@thorharp.com