Steve Maskery
Established Member
Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever collect.
I've just been to a St Patrick's day exhibition preview, organized by some Irish friends of mine. There was some musical entertainment. The best was a niece of said Irish friends, who sang beautifully (even to my non-classical ears) to the accompaniment of a 13-yr-old harpist. Really Excellent.
Of course, my interest was in the harp itself (Italian rather than Irish), and I was seriously impressed by the standard of the workmanship that went into making it.
The soundboard was a straight-grained softwood (my guess is Spruce), the frame was brown, "walnut finish" according to the harpist. Whatever it was underneath, the woodwork was impressive.
So there was I, glass in hand, yakking with the elderly but otherwise excellent second performer, singing something trad and Irish and doing it well.
To cut a long story shot, I was expressing my interest in how they had made part of the frame out of plywood. Said elderly gentleman (I use the tern loosely) bet me the cost of the harp that it was not made out of plywood.
Now it is true that I am not Irish, know little of Irish culture or Irish music, or indeed, beyond 'O'-level music, little at all about music, so when he described me as a "typical Englishman who knows %^&*all about Ireland or its music or culture", he was close to the mark.
However, I do know a little bit about woodwork.
So, after the father of harpist confirmed that it was indeed made of plywood, and Albert who is a painter and decorator and knows nothing about music or woodwork, but who can still recognize plywood when he sees it, confirmed said construction method, the aforementioned"gentleman" walked out.
So how do I get my 9K (actually, her parents reckoned it was rather more than that)?
I know I've won on points, but I could really do with the dosh!
S
I've just been to a St Patrick's day exhibition preview, organized by some Irish friends of mine. There was some musical entertainment. The best was a niece of said Irish friends, who sang beautifully (even to my non-classical ears) to the accompaniment of a 13-yr-old harpist. Really Excellent.
Of course, my interest was in the harp itself (Italian rather than Irish), and I was seriously impressed by the standard of the workmanship that went into making it.
The soundboard was a straight-grained softwood (my guess is Spruce), the frame was brown, "walnut finish" according to the harpist. Whatever it was underneath, the woodwork was impressive.
So there was I, glass in hand, yakking with the elderly but otherwise excellent second performer, singing something trad and Irish and doing it well.
To cut a long story shot, I was expressing my interest in how they had made part of the frame out of plywood. Said elderly gentleman (I use the tern loosely) bet me the cost of the harp that it was not made out of plywood.
Now it is true that I am not Irish, know little of Irish culture or Irish music, or indeed, beyond 'O'-level music, little at all about music, so when he described me as a "typical Englishman who knows %^&*all about Ireland or its music or culture", he was close to the mark.
However, I do know a little bit about woodwork.
So, after the father of harpist confirmed that it was indeed made of plywood, and Albert who is a painter and decorator and knows nothing about music or woodwork, but who can still recognize plywood when he sees it, confirmed said construction method, the aforementioned"gentleman" walked out.
So how do I get my 9K (actually, her parents reckoned it was rather more than that)?
I know I've won on points, but I could really do with the dosh!
S
