The 'real' Earnshaws used to live in our house. Their daughter was apparantly a friend of Emily Bronte. By the end of the week the house will be full again! - I don't mean with harps this time but nearly all the family and friends staying for Easter. I am even having to make the beds in the attic - more of a bunk room but it has a staircase and radiators.
No lambs yet but the sheep are huge and pacing a bit. The first are due tomorrow.
Ended up walking around Skipton yesterday in the rain - showed Harriet's Mum a walk that I find fascinating up behind the castle on a walkway that runs inbetween the canal (old moat?) and the beck. Managed to park on the cobbles - a rarity on market day - due to the incessant rain no doubt! Started the day at the auction mart looking at sheep. Dave was trying to persuade me that these sheep were a cross between a cow and a sheep - very long legs, black fleece, white feet and black heads with a wide white stripe....
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Sunday 28 March 2010
eggs and harp
I am feeling very stiff! Bruises all down my legs but the room looks good! I don't fancy moving that piano again! Actually got to glue the two main parts of 'Mystic-Al' today. This is to be the replacement for the traditional Elizabethan harp, Celesti-Al, as it needs re-stringing. Will take about 6 months to re-tune 93 strings so it's much easier to have a back-up harp.
My son and girlfriend, Harriet, are here to help with lambing. They got the lambing shed ready, a foot of straw and all the old gates/pallet boxes in place as dividers. Harriet also collected the eggs and washed them ready for selling in the porch. My next job is to draw on a sheet of paper the 3 different breeds and the different colour eggs they produce so that people can help themselves.
This afternoon his nibs and I took a break and walked round the old tracks above Hebden Bridge. Fantastic views across the valley as the sides are so steep and high. His Nibs, Dave, took loads of photographs - watch out a new video will hit the internet soon!
NB next concert St Huberts, Dunsop Bridge, Friday 9th April 7.30 pm
My son and girlfriend, Harriet, are here to help with lambing. They got the lambing shed ready, a foot of straw and all the old gates/pallet boxes in place as dividers. Harriet also collected the eggs and washed them ready for selling in the porch. My next job is to draw on a sheet of paper the 3 different breeds and the different colour eggs they produce so that people can help themselves.
This afternoon his nibs and I took a break and walked round the old tracks above Hebden Bridge. Fantastic views across the valley as the sides are so steep and high. His Nibs, Dave, took loads of photographs - watch out a new video will hit the internet soon!
NB next concert St Huberts, Dunsop Bridge, Friday 9th April 7.30 pm
Saturday 27 March 2010
moving pianos
I am taking a breather. 'His nibs', Dave, has decreed that harps are taking over the house and they must be put into one room.... I am actually trying to set up a harp museum in the barn but that is to be an entirely different long-term project altogether. Back to the point. To fit 18 harps into one large room with 2 pianos, one double-bass, two cellos, lyres, dulcimers, drums, and of course things to sit on inbetween.
I have shunted the upright piano diagonally across the room to swop it with a slightly smaller secretaire so far. It took one and a half hours pushing the piano a couple of inches at a time. One castor is missing so it was a case of pushing down on the nearest corner and holding whilst pushing with my thigh and other hand. If I got two inches it was a good do.
I am now getting back to it. The next step is to move the massive Moroccon Cart Bed diagonally across into the other corner against the new radiator (this is what has caused the massive shift-around). I can no longer keep the harps against this wall as they hate the central heating...
More later if I haven't collapsed with the gooey fudge and glass of wine.....
I have shunted the upright piano diagonally across the room to swop it with a slightly smaller secretaire so far. It took one and a half hours pushing the piano a couple of inches at a time. One castor is missing so it was a case of pushing down on the nearest corner and holding whilst pushing with my thigh and other hand. If I got two inches it was a good do.
I am now getting back to it. The next step is to move the massive Moroccon Cart Bed diagonally across into the other corner against the new radiator (this is what has caused the massive shift-around). I can no longer keep the harps against this wall as they hate the central heating...
More later if I haven't collapsed with the gooey fudge and glass of wine.....
Friday 26 March 2010
Friday 9th April - 7.30 pm - St Huberts
Dave is going to teach me computer skills... but until then I am advertising my forthcoming events here!! (the date page will get updated as soon as I know how or Dave learns to type with his thumb and forefinger - only things sticking out of the pot on his arm!!!! - sadly at the wrong angle which involves pointing his elbow at a ridiculous angle up to the ceiling to prod the keyboard.....) He is plainly in an awful lot of pain right now though and needs some time to re-coop.
Next concert - featuring my new tune about the goings on in the Vatican in 1635....
Friday 9th April - 7.30 at St Huberts, Dunsop Bridge - (if you put a cross over the whole of the UK Dunsop Bridge is officially the 'centre') - near Slaidburn and Whitewell, nr Clitheroe.
Next concert - featuring my new tune about the goings on in the Vatican in 1635....
Friday 9th April - 7.30 at St Huberts, Dunsop Bridge - (if you put a cross over the whole of the UK Dunsop Bridge is officially the 'centre') - near Slaidburn and Whitewell, nr Clitheroe.
Thursday 25 March 2010
lambing and broken arms
You might be wondering where I've been for the last couple of days. Nowhere! Dave, my husband, broke his arm and I have been helping him. Whilst in hospital we met a farmer who had also broke his arm but he had 600 sheep to lamb next week....whoops! We have our 8 pet sheep to lamb! We have managed to get everything just about ready though and my sons are coming home from Uni to help.
I think I have just about finished recording and am posting the new cd down to my daughter, who also plays tripleharp, to listen and pass judgement! My son, Albert has already heard most of it and says its good! Those of you not mentioned here - you're not off the hook!
I think I have just about finished recording and am posting the new cd down to my daughter, who also plays tripleharp, to listen and pass judgement! My son, Albert has already heard most of it and says its good! Those of you not mentioned here - you're not off the hook!
Monday 22 March 2010
forthcoming concert
To give you advance warning I make a return visit to Dunsop Bridge alongside singer/songwriter Andy Hill - Friday 9th April, St Hubert's, Dunsop Bridge - 7.30 pm.
I have been busy composing a new tune - all set in 1635. Urban XII was the Pope and two of his Cardinals were both called Barberini, presumably from the same family. In order to impress the Pope, who had a collection of rare harps, they commissioned a tripleharp - now known as The Barberini Harp - you can see it in a museum in Rome. My tune centres around a Priest who 'borrows' the Cardinal's hat for a day and gets into all sorts of trouble. Eventually all is resolved when he dances the Tarantella and rids himself of the 'spiders in his head' which seem to have caused all the bother in the first place...
I have been busy composing a new tune - all set in 1635. Urban XII was the Pope and two of his Cardinals were both called Barberini, presumably from the same family. In order to impress the Pope, who had a collection of rare harps, they commissioned a tripleharp - now known as The Barberini Harp - you can see it in a museum in Rome. My tune centres around a Priest who 'borrows' the Cardinal's hat for a day and gets into all sorts of trouble. Eventually all is resolved when he dances the Tarantella and rids himself of the 'spiders in his head' which seem to have caused all the bother in the first place...
Saturday 20 March 2010
willow hedges and recording update
Got side-tracked from recording yesterday to pick up a bidet, bought on Ebay of all places, from Harrogate! A bargain, matched our existing suite, and money donated to cancer research - can't do better really!
Got up early this morning to 'listen' to all the recordings I have done... I am over half way!! All the wierd and wonderful experiments on sound have paid off though. There was a definite improvement over last week. At the time I didn't notice it I have to say!
I am taking a break this afternoon as we have rain!!! (Yes, I am pleased) It means I can get my willow hedging done at last - a month later than usual. I planted 12 different varieties last year, thanks to a pupil's Dad. It is too early to see how they have fared. The main problem is rabbit and sheep damage! We are on the edge of a village called Marsh - augurs well for willow generally!
Got up early this morning to 'listen' to all the recordings I have done... I am over half way!! All the wierd and wonderful experiments on sound have paid off though. There was a definite improvement over last week. At the time I didn't notice it I have to say!
I am taking a break this afternoon as we have rain!!! (Yes, I am pleased) It means I can get my willow hedging done at last - a month later than usual. I planted 12 different varieties last year, thanks to a pupil's Dad. It is too early to see how they have fared. The main problem is rabbit and sheep damage! We are on the edge of a village called Marsh - augurs well for willow generally!
Thursday 18 March 2010
success
Well, I have tried every combination of mics, soundproofing and twiddling knobs that I can muster up! The end result is a false roof to deflect the sound back (a piece of wood wedged into the top of the bookcase above the harp and supported infront of the harp with a long piece of wood), 2 cushions stuffed into the soundboard and slight twiddling of the various knobs on the 'deck'... It sounds brilliant and I have 2 tracks down already! The cushions in the soundboard initially didn't seem to make much difference 'live' but at high volume there is a slight reduction in resonance.
This means that I am not going to have to record under duress - I can record at home at last!
Also for you 'free-dancers' out there and lovers of pure 'jamming' I can play a tune for as long as I want and improvise if the mood takes me!
It's taken 7 years - from dreaming the sound - to making the harp to - at last - recording! For the first time ever I am on a level with other musicians. (The next step is to make a truly magnificent harp that looks as amazing as the sound.....my husband's job!!!!)
This means that I am not going to have to record under duress - I can record at home at last!
Also for you 'free-dancers' out there and lovers of pure 'jamming' I can play a tune for as long as I want and improvise if the mood takes me!
It's taken 7 years - from dreaming the sound - to making the harp to - at last - recording! For the first time ever I am on a level with other musicians. (The next step is to make a truly magnificent harp that looks as amazing as the sound.....my husband's job!!!!)
Tuesday 16 March 2010
the bad science
Desperately trying to get the best sound ever from recording which is leading to a few wierd and wonderful experiments... The problem with harps is the build up of the resonance. The single strung players can 'damp/muffle' the strings with one hand whilst carrying on playing with the other. No such luxury on the multistrung. Its getting the right touch all the way through and damping with the odd finger or palm whilst still playing!
To help matters I resorted to packing the soundbox with cushions and to my amazement it made no difference.... Makes no sense at all. Unfortunatley I have had to stop the experiments tonight as I am teaching but can't wait to do a few test recordings tomorrow!
Watch this space...
To help matters I resorted to packing the soundbox with cushions and to my amazement it made no difference.... Makes no sense at all. Unfortunatley I have had to stop the experiments tonight as I am teaching but can't wait to do a few test recordings tomorrow!
Watch this space...
Monday 15 March 2010
Ginge's first trip
Been away in my camper van (called Ginge because of its paintwork)! I had a lovely time visiting my other twin son, Harriet and their dog, Lottie. I forgot to take any cutlery so had to prise my flap jack out of the tin with a key but it tasted good. Anthony cooked a lovely Mother's Day Sunday lunch and I was treated to afternoon tea at their favourite 'shop'. As I write I am munching my favourite chocolate.... Also a promise that he will make me a pergola (its in writing now, Anthony!!!!).
Anthony and Harriet waved goodbye to me at the side of the road loading my enormous sleeping bag into Ginge as they had to get to Stratford for dinner. I was a little upset at leaving and not looking forward to the long drive but had a good book and a comfy place to curl up when I needed a break. I had complained about the roadworks, the motorways and the unbelievable 'squarabouts' - as Harriet calls them - on the approach to Reading.
Anthony set my satnav for a nicer, country road to join up with the M40 further up and I set off. I was on the M40 just before the Warwick turnoff an hour later and this landrover came alongside with 2 people waving madly - Harriet and Anthony! - both looking incredulous. Good old Ginge eh? I phoned them at the next services and they hadn't stopped, far from it, they had battled the roadworks and squarabouts to get there...
Anthony and Harriet waved goodbye to me at the side of the road loading my enormous sleeping bag into Ginge as they had to get to Stratford for dinner. I was a little upset at leaving and not looking forward to the long drive but had a good book and a comfy place to curl up when I needed a break. I had complained about the roadworks, the motorways and the unbelievable 'squarabouts' - as Harriet calls them - on the approach to Reading.
Anthony set my satnav for a nicer, country road to join up with the M40 further up and I set off. I was on the M40 just before the Warwick turnoff an hour later and this landrover came alongside with 2 people waving madly - Harriet and Anthony! - both looking incredulous. Good old Ginge eh? I phoned them at the next services and they hadn't stopped, far from it, they had battled the roadworks and squarabouts to get there...
Friday 12 March 2010
twins 21st birthday
Albert is at home on the actual day at least! We went for lunch at The Grouse - above Oldfield with fantastic views usually but today was shrouded in mist! He has managed to get himself a job tonight on his birthday - being the doorman at a friend's 17th birthday... Her parents have promised to go out for the evening and she suddenly went into panic but nothing will get past Albert!
Anthony had a late night (if he ever got to bed at all) last night. He emailed me at 3.15 with a lovely photo of his girlfriend and himself with the award they had just won at their University Award's Night. Congratulations!
I have at last started recording - patience everyone - a lot of work to get this right. Remember I can't alter or clean up anything at all as there are too many notes for the computer to cope with!!! I have written a lot of new music and Albert just heard the tune I was asked to write for birth of an Indian Princess and he loved it - he didn't realise he was dancing to 5/4.
Anthony had a late night (if he ever got to bed at all) last night. He emailed me at 3.15 with a lovely photo of his girlfriend and himself with the award they had just won at their University Award's Night. Congratulations!
I have at last started recording - patience everyone - a lot of work to get this right. Remember I can't alter or clean up anything at all as there are too many notes for the computer to cope with!!! I have written a lot of new music and Albert just heard the tune I was asked to write for birth of an Indian Princess and he loved it - he didn't realise he was dancing to 5/4.
Thursday 11 March 2010
very happy
Saved by Dave... He saw how upset I was about Origin-Al and mended it yesterday morning with fibreglass which means I'm back on track to record - already tuned 128 strings twice this morning!
I may get into the garden today but I now need rain to plant the willow! We have had a glorious sunny week. Even the big tractor hasn't got stuck anywhere. The old grey fergie has a slight problem and Dave is going to mend it and sell the big tractor this Spring. My first job in the garden is to repair all the holes in the wire fencing the hens have made ... no point planting anything till they are out of the garden! We have 3 rare breeds and have to mend the big pens to separate them all. We have Large Whites, Copper Black Marans and Polish, which I call pom poms. The Polish cockrell is the most feisty and aggressive as well as being the smallest and blessed with a huge plume on its head. Last year though he managed to sneak into the other pens and 'bonk' all the hens... We have a large collection of 'plumed' hybrids this year!
I may get into the garden today but I now need rain to plant the willow! We have had a glorious sunny week. Even the big tractor hasn't got stuck anywhere. The old grey fergie has a slight problem and Dave is going to mend it and sell the big tractor this Spring. My first job in the garden is to repair all the holes in the wire fencing the hens have made ... no point planting anything till they are out of the garden! We have 3 rare breeds and have to mend the big pens to separate them all. We have Large Whites, Copper Black Marans and Polish, which I call pom poms. The Polish cockrell is the most feisty and aggressive as well as being the smallest and blessed with a huge plume on its head. Last year though he managed to sneak into the other pens and 'bonk' all the hens... We have a large collection of 'plumed' hybrids this year!
Tuesday 9 March 2010
high-heeled harps (?)
Tried to explain to a pupil last night the difference between high-headed and low-headed harps!
The bass strings on her harp sounded 'plinky-plonky'. The Keighley news once wrote an article on me saying that I was playing my 'high-heeled' harps...hmmm! - not quite!
High-headed - the strings get longer and longer to get the bass but you end up with a vulnerable high point at the front that twists.
Low-headed - the classic 'swan-neck' shape - use wrapped strings that don't need to be so long and there is less chance of twisting.
My harps are all high-headed as I like the tone better - more like a double bass! Also no chance of twisting as there are strings on each side and it's perfectly balanced.
Other news - we have managed to pull the old BT van shed up from the bottom of the field with the tractor - shows how frozen the ground is still (remember this place isn't called Marsh for nothing!) Getting the lambing shed ready and getting the hens back in their pens. Sorry cockrells...!
The bass strings on her harp sounded 'plinky-plonky'. The Keighley news once wrote an article on me saying that I was playing my 'high-heeled' harps...hmmm! - not quite!
High-headed - the strings get longer and longer to get the bass but you end up with a vulnerable high point at the front that twists.
Low-headed - the classic 'swan-neck' shape - use wrapped strings that don't need to be so long and there is less chance of twisting.
My harps are all high-headed as I like the tone better - more like a double bass! Also no chance of twisting as there are strings on each side and it's perfectly balanced.
Other news - we have managed to pull the old BT van shed up from the bottom of the field with the tractor - shows how frozen the ground is still (remember this place isn't called Marsh for nothing!) Getting the lambing shed ready and getting the hens back in their pens. Sorry cockrells...!
Monday 8 March 2010
the steep learning curve
I have nearly given up so many times and yesterday was one of them. I tuned Origin-Al in the morning and then had to set off for a routine hospital visit for Dave. Monday is cleaning day so it was several hours of getting all the mud back outside before I finally went into the music room to sit down and get some recording done. There was a small splilt on the side where I had glued the corner of the 2 soundboards - arghhhhh. Nothing for it but to loosen off 3 octaves of strings (inner and outer on each side) and re-glue.... (approx 1 week's work) I then thought I would practice on Recyc-Al. Whilst tuning I managed to break the 'f' string.... (approx 1 week to get in tune again).
My problem has always been that to get the sound I wanted I would have to commission a harp maker - £12,000 'conservative' estimate... (and they all pointed out that as it had never been done before it might not work).
So ... I set off to design and make my own harps. With no training/support/equipment and no time to train (4 children!) I have literally had to teach myself everything I know. Living far out in the sticks and having no babysitters often meant I had to forage in the outbuildings of the farm for any useful bits and bats (the first harp was made out of a shelving unit)...
(Thanks to my husband at this stage who has stepped in and is presently making my first-ever 'proper' harp - roll on next summer...)
I had an email this week - 'WANTED' £20,000 approx to buy a violin - has a place at Music College but at present is borrowing a violin which has to be given back.... I am not the only one!!!
My problem has always been that to get the sound I wanted I would have to commission a harp maker - £12,000 'conservative' estimate... (and they all pointed out that as it had never been done before it might not work).
So ... I set off to design and make my own harps. With no training/support/equipment and no time to train (4 children!) I have literally had to teach myself everything I know. Living far out in the sticks and having no babysitters often meant I had to forage in the outbuildings of the farm for any useful bits and bats (the first harp was made out of a shelving unit)...
(Thanks to my husband at this stage who has stepped in and is presently making my first-ever 'proper' harp - roll on next summer...)
I had an email this week - 'WANTED' £20,000 approx to buy a violin - has a place at Music College but at present is borrowing a violin which has to be given back.... I am not the only one!!!
Sunday 7 March 2010
VSCC hill climb
My nose was so cold I could hardly breathe by 4.30 pm. Luckily this was on the way back from the last hill so it didn't matter and I had the most perfect day being driven around between the sections in my son's vintage car. I had to get out of the car for the sections because I hadn't got there early enough to sign in as an official passenger but to be honest it looked quite scarey! (for me anyway - as my boys will tell you I drive very sedately...) When the boys were about 11 I was left an old car that had failed its MOT and I let them drive it around the farm. They completely wrecked it but had so much fun and became quite good at getting it up the boggiest field, up quite a steep gradient - with no tyres on!!!!
The weather is perfect again up here but still no gardening - the ground is completely frozen still! As I write there are noises coming from the chimney - honestly sounds like there is a herd of elephants up there. I presume it is crows trying to nest as there is loads of soot coming down as well. I will have to sweep the chimney today...
The weather is perfect again up here but still no gardening - the ground is completely frozen still! As I write there are noises coming from the chimney - honestly sounds like there is a herd of elephants up there. I presume it is crows trying to nest as there is loads of soot coming down as well. I will have to sweep the chimney today...
Friday 5 March 2010
St Patrick's Day
I was invited via Facebook to a St Patrick's Day... in Gibraltar! How cool would that be? Not sure where I am playing this year yet.
I was given advice for my little 'woodpecker' friend. I am going to hang a bird feeder out of the window with an old nesting box and lower it till it is on the house wall! Easier said than done but worth a try. Will keep you posted. Am also going to try and fathom out last year's Valentine present from my husband and take some photos.
Friday is 'harp day' and my husband got through a huge lists of things. All the venues phoned booked me without hesitation - fantastic!
I was given advice for my little 'woodpecker' friend. I am going to hang a bird feeder out of the window with an old nesting box and lower it till it is on the house wall! Easier said than done but worth a try. Will keep you posted. Am also going to try and fathom out last year's Valentine present from my husband and take some photos.
Friday is 'harp day' and my husband got through a huge lists of things. All the venues phoned booked me without hesitation - fantastic!
Thursday 4 March 2010
wanabee woodpecker
I was woken this morning by an old 'friend'... He looks like a chaffinch but thinks he is a woodpecker and pecks (quite viciously) against the bedroom window incessantly from about 5 am. Last year we hung netting, old towels, streamers etc out of the window to try and stop him. Everytime we hung something out of a window he just went round the corner and started pecking another window until the house looked like a Tibetan prayer place.
I have started on the soundboard for Mystic-Al. A traditional dark oak harp to replace Celesti-Al so that I can re-string it! It takes about 6 weeks of non-stop work to string a harp so its better for me to have a replacement!
I have started on the soundboard for Mystic-Al. A traditional dark oak harp to replace Celesti-Al so that I can re-string it! It takes about 6 weeks of non-stop work to string a harp so its better for me to have a replacement!
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Barn Conversion to rent !!!
Dave here
Just filling in whilst Fiona Katie is busy
here is a link to our Barn conversion which is available to rent
Please Note the pictures are quite large in size so may take a little bit of time to appear
Cheers
Monday 1 March 2010
new kitchen
No blog yesterday - I collapsed in an exhausted heap but made up for it today! Somehow I managed to finish the joinery in my kitchen which I started about 5 years ago..... It needs painting but I am so thrilled... I have put it together in pine which includes a Georgian dresser, worktops which were originally wardrobe doors (found in a skip in Haworth - with permission!) some lucky 'reject' plate racks from Tabby's (sadly no longer) and the latest - shelves round 2 sides covering up the Rayburn and plumbing pipes - made out of - YES!! an old bed and the leftovers from a hen coop...fantastic!!
So thrilled to get a comment as well - albeit my daughter but it all connects well!
On harp things - the new performance harp is laid out on the kitchen table waiting to be fibre-glassed. AND more importantly - Dave has offered to spend every Friday on harp promotion - WOW! (and thank you)
Tomorrow I start recording.
So thrilled to get a comment as well - albeit my daughter but it all connects well!
On harp things - the new performance harp is laid out on the kitchen table waiting to be fibre-glassed. AND more importantly - Dave has offered to spend every Friday on harp promotion - WOW! (and thank you)
Tomorrow I start recording.
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