harpsigourd

Subject: harpsigourd
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 11 Oct 09 - 11:13 PM

Thought those interested in harps and harplike objects (and other strange instruments) would enjoy this video of me playing a giant pumpkin harp made by Fred Gosbee for the Damariscotta Maine pumpkin festival. Enjoy!
This is a link to one youtube video- link to another is on the youtube page If the link doesn't work, search for "harpsigourd"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8grS6yFNN8

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Alice
Date: 11 Oct 09 - 11:28 PM

Wow, that's quite a gourd!
That was fun. Thanks for sharing.

Alice

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 06:29 AM

Lovely! I especially liked the gourd changes!

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Janie
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 06:58 AM

HOw neat!

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 03:50 PM

"Follow - follow follow —
Follow the harpsigourd...!"   

:~)

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 04:21 PM

I love it! Great looking Main Street too. Someday I will come see Maine!

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: GUEST,julia
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 11:10 PM

It's a good place to be, though winter can feel long... Let us know when you are coming!We'll see what foolishness we can conjure up

You can check out the pumpkin boats on Youtube as well, or search google news. And the cannon and trebuchet. For a finale to the festival, they dropped a huge pumpkin on a derelict police car.. a smashing time was had by all

julia

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Janie
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 11:16 PM

In addition to your excellent harpsigourd, I was noticing all the ruddy cheeks and chilly weather jackets that far north.

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Alice
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 11:22 PM

I noticed the guy who sneezed into his hand instead of his sleeve... I'm hyper h1n1 aware!! LOL

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 01:57 AM

Was that standard tuning you were using, or was it a sgourditura?

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 02:01 AM

Oh, Gourd Almighty!

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: TheSnail
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 06:15 AM

I want one!

Any constructional details? How do the tuning pegs work? Are the strings attached to the drumskin or do they go straight through? What are the strings?









Where can I get a pumpkin that big?

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 08:06 AM

TheSnail: How would you get it up and down your stairs? Would you eat the interior, or are you planning to sit on the balcony flicking pith at passing seagulls?

Valmai

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 11:04 AM

Ha! Regarding construction and tuning- the strings go through the drumhead and are attached to a reinforcing string bar on the back (like a real harp)Drumhead is attached to circular frame with banjo pins (!) then the whole thing is fitted on a 2 X6 which is embedded in the hollowed out pumpkin.The superstructure is attached to the pumpkin with bunjee cords. Strings are actual harp strings, tuning pins are threaded piano pins.
To be truthful, the pumpkin itself has zero resonance, the walls being about 3-4 inches thick and fleshy.
Tends to play in squash-flat...a more or less (diabolic) diatonic.
It has 19 strings -I tuned it so that "do" (doh!) is the fifth string from the bottom to maximize range for both hands.
Big hits were Ash Grove, Fanny Poer( with moderations), Heart and Soul, Ode to Joy, Simple Gifts, Merrily kiss the Quaker (first two parts), Fairy Reel, March of the King of Laois. The challenge is the range of the tune- ancient harp tunes seem to fit well

There seem to be giant pumpkin growers everywhere- ask your local farmers market?Or grow your own!Several websites available
Remember that this is ephemeral art...We will be having pumpkin influenced meals for awhile, lotsa pie

Cheers all- Julia

PS If you are interested in other types of gourd-o-chords, check out the African Kora

Subject: RE: harpsigourd
From: TheSnail
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 02:20 PM

Judging by the Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival I'd abandon the flat and live in the pumpkin. If I grew one on the balcony, I'd never get it inside.

Of course, this being England I should probably use a marrow.

Thanks for the information, Julia.