# What does a symphony harpist do between gigs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 24, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215 "2017-12-24T18:50:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/21 "2017-12-26T12:21:30Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > How was their version of the Hokey Pokey? I admit it’s still early, but this is my biggest laugh of the day. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/22 "2017-12-26T13:17:04Z")
Mrs. J. and I once went to a Sunday brunch at a hotel, which featured a harpist. Quite the upscale atmosphere. I resisted the temptation to go up to her between numbers, and request “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road”. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/23 "2017-12-26T14:27:47Z")
Back in my symphony days pretty much everyone in the symphony was part time. We usually only had one program per month, with 4-5 paid practices and two paid concerts the week of. So that week wasn’t even full time. People worked another job (usually teaching), went to school, or just played that one week a month as a paid hobby in their retirement. We did hire a harpist occasionally and she drove in from out of town. She told me she did what most everyone else did – she taught and played gigs. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/24 "2017-12-26T18:43:18Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The military bands have full time jobs, I assume. Cut I can’t think of many military songs that require a harp. And a harp is pretty hard to carry when marching along. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/25 "2017-12-26T19:43:49Z")
I dated a girl for awhile. She always harped about me coming home late. We broke up. I don’t who she’s with now. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/26 "2017-12-26T21:54:24Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > And a harp is pretty hard to carry when marching along. Not if the harp and yourself are on a separate little motorised platform that you can steer with a customized right foot pedal (which is like a gynecologyst’s stirrup that you slip your foot into) that can toggle to the left or right as you slide your foot accordingly, either way. Your left foot is for the gas and brake pedals, which are immediately to the left of the steering toggle/stirrup. Also to consider is the [cello,](https://youtu.be/6_D8g6XGiB4?t=227) which, on the other hand, (well, if you’re plucky) is quite portable under most marching band conditions. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/27 "2017-12-26T22:42:50Z")
Most of my friends who are musicians have several smaller jobs to pay the bills. They get small stipends from their churches for performing at services. They’ll have a quintet that performs at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. Many also teach, conduct, and provide music direction for local students and community groups. A couple, who figured out early that they wanted both a life in music and a comfortable salary, went for advanced degrees and teach in Universities. > [@pulykamell](#): > > . . . > That said, Roman Catholic weddings are almost never outdoors (I’ve never heard of one, but it seems it might be possible with a special dispensation from the bishop.) No idea if that would require the use of a canopy, or not. Or it could certainly be some other Christian denomination. On my family’s land in Ireland there is a [“Mass Rock”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_rock) where Mass, Weddings and other ceremonies [are still celebrated out of doors.](http://www.dromorediocese.org/history/) We’ve had communion there with no canopy. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/28 "2017-12-27T00:27:13Z")
Tubist here. I haven’t done symphony work in quite a while, but my understanding is that orchestra music these days is done by the “Freeway Philharmonic.” You play in several orchestras and drive a lot. And teach. And wait tables if you have to. I play an awful lot of gigs, but I’m in or associated with maybe a dozen groups. I drive a lot. And teach. Playing more than one instrument helps too. That harpist you see may also play celtic harp at Ren Fairs all summer. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/29 "2017-12-27T01:32:57Z")
A harpist friend of my brother’s did a lot of weddings, and had a regular gig at a hotel that wanted “classy” background music. His day job was as a printer, and I have no idea how he got all the ink off his hands before a harp gig. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/30 "2017-12-27T07:51:59Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Not if the harp and yourself are on a separate little motorised platform that you can steer with a customized right foot pedal (which is like a gynecologyst’s stirrup that you slip your foot into) that can toggle to the left or right as you slide your foot accordingly, either way. Your left foot is for the gas and brake pedals, which are immediately to the left of the steering toggle/stirrup. You’re going to need a few extra feet. Another name for the concert harp is [pedal harp](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_harp#Pedals). [QUOTE=Wikipedia] The role of the pedals in this type of harp is to alter the pitch of the strings, so that - unlike early kinds of harp - the pedal harp can easily play works written in any key. This is particularly important in the harmonically complex music of the Romantic period and later 20th-century classical music. There are seven pedals, each affecting the tuning of all strings of one pitch-class. The pedals, in order from left to right, are D, C, B on the left side and E, F, G, A on the right. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/31 "2017-12-27T15:01:06Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > You’re going to need a few extra feet. Another name for the concert harp is [pedal harp](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_harp#Pedals). Sadist. ::as I slink ignominiously back into failed/disgraced inventor oblivion:: ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/32 "2017-12-27T15:22:43Z")
Fiverr offers harp players looking for work. Maybe they’ll record the Star War theme? Make a great custom ring tone for your phone. 😉 > **[Find the best global talent.](https://www.fiverr.com/categories/music-audio/session-musicians)** > > One marketplace, millions of professional services. Browse. Buy. Done. > **[Hanapiranha: I will create a harp arrangement for your song for $50 on...](https://www.fiverr.com/hanapiranha/create-a-harp-arrangement-for-your-song?context&context_referrer=search_gigs&context_type=auto&pckg_id=1&pos=2&ref_ctx_id=d7de99b3-12b0-4271-b851-5e607fe2ce5a&funnel=3e7b2c98-1d45-4b2e-99ed-a1825e277169)** > > For only $50, Hanapiranha will create a harp arrangement for your song. | Harp accompaniment for your song, arranged on 29 string Irish harp - this is a beautiful and unique alternative to a standard piano accompaniment | Fiverr ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/33 "2017-12-27T15:30:43Z")
Its amazing someone would dedicated the 1000’s of hours practice needed to learn an 18th and 19th century instrument. There’s so many other choices. Piano, guitar, voice, or even a wind instrument. Harp is not an instrument I’d spend time learning. A lot of string instruments been replaced by keyboard synth. I guess some people are just born with a burning desire to make music with a harp. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/34 "2017-12-27T15:45:46Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Its amazing someone would dedicated the 1000’s of hours practice needed to learn an 18th and 19th century instrument. > > There’s so many other choices. Piano, guitar, voice, or even a wind instrument. > > Harp is not an instrument I’d spend time learning. A lot of string instruments been replaced by keyboard synth. > > I guess some people are just born with a burning desire to make music with a harp. It’s not a bad idea to learn it ahead of time. Unless you’re going to that other place. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/35 "2017-12-27T20:24:07Z")
As Sylvia Woods pointed out “A harp has many utilities, it slices bread and chops up cheese, you can even shoot arrows at your enemies…” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/36 "2017-12-27T21:15:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Its amazing someone would dedicated the 1000’s of hours practice needed to learn an 18th and 19th century instrument. > > There’s so many other choices. Piano, guitar, **voice,** or even a wind instrument. You do realize that voices have been around for a while? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/37 "2017-12-27T21:18:53Z")
Sure. Singing has been popular since ancient times. Harps were all the rage a century or more ago. I watched The Bishop’s Wife 1948, for the holidays. The rich lady had a harp in her drawing room. IIRC many upper class homes had a harp their debutante daughters learned to play them. Today, you’d probably find a grand piano in those homes. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/38 "2017-12-28T06:40:40Z")
You work as a contract assassin, using one of the strings that just so happens to be secretly detachable as a garrote. No one ever suspects the gentle harpist. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/39 "2017-12-28T12:10:30Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > As Sylvia Woods pointed out “A harp has many utilities, it slices bread and chops up cheese, you can even shoot arrows at your enemies…” I always wondered if you could shove a brick of Velveeta through a harp. Deli meats might be a little too hard I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215/40 "2017-12-28T12:33:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Its amazing someone would dedicated the 1000’s of hours practice needed to learn an 18th and 19th century instrument. > > There’s so many other choices. Piano, guitar, voice, or even a wind instrument. > > Harp is not an instrument I’d spend time learning. A lot of string instruments been replaced by keyboard synth. > > I guess some people are just born with a burning desire to make music with a harp. Especially medieval historians 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-symphony-harpist-do-between-gigs/805215.md?page=3)