Versatility of the Harp Guitar
 

Started this thread to encourage folks to share their thoughts about the versatility of the instrument. A couples of examples from my own expereience I can think of that highlight its versatility:

-I was just working on an multi instrumental idea with vocals that I was not originally thinking would include the HG. But I felt like, the music was missing a little something. Turns out that bass drone on beat 1 is just the ticket.

-I did a Christmas show a couple of years back where I played 5 or 6 pieces. I had only worked out half of those on harp. However, my harp has the best electronics in it of all my guitars, so I just powered through the non-HG tunes with the HG.

So I usually think of the HG for fingerestyle, but I've seen guys like Andy Wahlberg strum and play whatever he wants on it easier than a lot of pros play a six string. These things ARE versatile... infinitely more so than more common 12 strings and/or baritones. I've been at this a few years, and am still learning different ways to employ it. Based upon the mix of material I play, I'd say I'm on harp about 25% of the time. What about you all?

I'm definitely a full-time fingerstyler, regardless of instrument, but play my T30HGc less than 10% of the time. It's an 'ungainly' instrument to play sitting (so I need to stand when playing it) but I love what the volume of that big box does for the tunes.

I use partial capos over DADGAD intervals on everything including, full disclosure, both baritone and a 12-string tenor (Amicus) guitars, and play 95% my own compositions. I've had three 12-strings over the years and tried hard to enjoy them but never could, so I'm with you on that one!

I added sharping levers to the harp in order to accommodate the frequent key/mode changes that come with partial capo use but find it a very difficult instrument to play well...my picking hand just doesn't have the span to cover all of those strings.

Like you mentioned, and as I alluded to above, I mostly play my harp as a short-scale 6-string guitar with bass drones (and those occasional deep bass notes on the beats). I've yet to compose anything that makes full use of the capabilities of the instrument...but sure wish I could!

Phil

I'm new to the harp guitar. I learned my first song Imagine and have made now to learning Classical Gas. I only play at open mic. My thoughts if I was going to play at an open mic, I would play non-harp songs with the harp guitar as they sound others.

Imagine and Classical Gas are both instrumentals. I need to figure to how to incorporate the sub bass strings to the songs that are not purely instrumentals.

As far as seating or standing, I'm more comfortable using playing the harp in sitting. I pretty much using the left knee classical position.

Figured I’d jump in on this page if ok . [emoji16]

So yeah new to this harp thing . Lol I can’t read or write music as far as notation goes . I have no theory.

I just somehow put things together that I like . So this will be an interesting journey .

But I will say on the 12string mention that can’t speak about the versatility of them to others but man I love my 12’s but so guilty of not playing them enough . Lol [emoji23]