The Birth of a Harp
As a child I would ride with my father taking my sister to her violin lessons. I would go into the house with them and I would sneak over to the 'other' room and gaze at the tall golden harp and dreamed of how wonderful it would be to play such an instrument.
Well, I have followed my dream to purchase a harp and learn to play.
At first, I bought a lovely Lyon and Healy Troubadour IV. It was nice and it showed me how much I really wanted to play. I searched for a teacher and found the person that could teach me the method that I wanted. She was right down the road in Newport, Pennsylvania. Her name is Shawn Ruby Drain. My first lesson was an exciting experience and I was given the opportunity to play some of the harps that her husband, David makes. I realized at that time, that I must have one.
And here is the journey......
Sassafrass Harps
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The house is a wonderful old farm house located in the heart of Perry county. By the house is (what appears to be) an old school house that has been transformed into David's workshop |
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The workshop is filled with interesting equipment. This saw is a huge old hard working piece that David is quite proud of. |
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The master and the angel: David and Shawn. They are showing off the main pieces of the soon to be enchanted harp. |
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I am amazed at the craftsmanship that goes into the harp. I cannot imagine how this is done or how David even could design such an awe inspiring instrument. |
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Here is a close up of the detail on the sound board. |
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These pictures do not do justice to the wonderful wood as well as the wood work. |
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Putting the pieces together. My Roger is getting a lesson in harp making 101. |
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Even the detail right down to the Sassafrass logo is perfect! |
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Shawn made it sing one last time before it came home with me |
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The Kiss
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