> in a lateral plane, it makes sense for the right hand to play
> melody and the left hand to take care of the harmony (at least I've
> never been able to get my left hand to be as fluid with melody as the
> right), the nature of the harp and the symmetry of the hands while
> in a vertical plane makes it more possible to do melody OR harmony
> chores with either hand.
hm, this is an interesting idea! "top/high to bottom/low" of
wind instruments does indeed seem natural to me... and the harp
is a similar "vertical plane" instrument! discarding "melody/harmony"
considerations... when the left hand plays treble and the right hand
is bass -- the harp relates closer to flute than i thought. keyboards
being "in a lateral plane" have simply switched the treble/bass hands
--IMHO, the fact that this "makes sense" is totally "cultural bias"..
methinks, ancient harpers came from the "flute" rather than "piano"
tradition..... an "aural/sound" over "visual/sight" dominance!!!
> I think that the harp, being so different than any other
> instrument that I've ever played is freeing me from limitations
> I'd put upon my musicianship and relative idependance of motion.
hoorah!!!!! we all win!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-- Wanda Taylor, Ringmiz of Harp*ring http://www.maxinet.com/towanda email: towanda@iname.com