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DVDs
Updated July 24, 2023
 

1. The Making of a Harp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rgB0wKU1-g

2. Harp Endorsements http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niLiYzl8zes

3. Hear the Harps Played  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLnMUr-GsYU

4. Setting Up the Harps for the Videos (funny video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdn0kxEL__s

5. Unboxing a Harp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LEAxNzAznM

6. Tuning Pin Slippage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvRomtaLDHM

    another video to watch is from Steve Moss:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_lxIj0OjyQ

7. Putting on a Bass Wire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgmrKe44o-E

8. String Tying for Upper Strings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLslEP1t-b4

    String Tying for Lower Strings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCbXalHfDQ

9. Putting a String on a Tuning Pin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWvf5ZEvr7k&feature=youtu.be

10. White Tubing on the Lever Frets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TywbDdM8LC0&feature=youtu.be

11. Bridge Pin Regulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFKYjmmjzvM&feature=youtu.be
Lever Movement Regulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRcLPupXuIc&feature=youtu.be

12. Rolling Up a Harp Case for Shipping. https://youtu.be/TuM2vdXsllk

13. Medium feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTmEPQw5fW0

14. Touch up Pens Demonstration video: http://youtu.be/-cHrbUyoJV4

 

To see an overview of this website, clickhere.

 

 
 
1. The Thormahlen Harps Workshop: The Making of a Harp


Oregon Art Beat, from the Oregon Public Broadcasting Television Station, came to our home and shop in October of 2005. They filmed 4 hours of what happens here at Thormahlen Harps and condensed it into an 8 minute video clip that aired June 1, 2006. We hope you enjoy learning about our harps from this video. Time: 7:48

The tunes played in this video are as follows:

22: Confluence (from Gossamer Gate book)

2:31 Song for a Whale (A Rose In Winter)

6:33 Sunstream (Gossamer Gate)

To see more about the workshop, go to Our Shop

2. Thormahlen Harps Endorsements


Here are comments from 4 of our customers who tell you about their experience with Thormahlen Harps. Also are some portions of an interview with Dave. Time: 7:44

1. Kathy: A Certified Music Practitioner (one who plays for hospital and hospice patients). She plays a Cherry Cygnet.

2. Rachel: a teenager and her mother Tina. She plays a Serenade.

3. Marilyn: a woman new to music in her life. She plays a Mahogany Swan.

4. Laura Zaerr: A professional harpist, teacher and harp professor from the University of Oregon in Eugene. She plays a Koa Swan.

 
To read more about what our customers say, go to the endorsements page.

3. About Thormahlen Harps, Hear Them Played


You can hear Sharon Thormahlen play the same tune (A Rose In Winter which you can find on the books page of this website) on 3 models of harps that we make: The Swan, The Cygnet, and The Serenade, made from a variety of wood combinations (8 harps in all). Time: 4:54

This is a list of the harps played on the video clip:

1. Maple Cygnet/Spruce soundboard, Folk Gut Strings

2. Bubinga Cygnet/redwood veneered Spruce, Folk Gut

3. Koa Swan, Cedar veneered Spruce, Folk Gut Strings

4. Cherry Cygnet, Cedar veneered Spruce, Nylon Strings

5. Walnut Cygnet, Cedar soundboard, Folk Gut Strings

6. Cherry Swan, Spruce soundboard, Nylon Strings

7. Serenade, Mahogany, Nylon Strings

8. Maple Swan, Spruce soundboard, Nylon Strings

See what's in stock.

4. Setting Up for the Thormahlen Harps Video


As we were setting up, the camera was rolling and this is what became of that footage. Time: 2:37

Co-Dependent Polka was written by Sharon Thormahlen and performed by her band, The Swing Beans in which Dave was also a member. The album is available on the music page of this website. (The album is called Dessert First).

 
5. Unboxing a Harp

The video link below shows you how to unpack your Thormahlen harp so that you can save your box in case you ever need it. Please watch this before you receive your harp so you'll know exactly how to unpack your harp.
At the end are also some helpful hints on carrying your harp in its case. Let us know if you have any questions. Time: 7:08
 
6. Tuning Pin Slippage

Sometimes when you get a new harp, the tuning pins will slip. This is possibly due to the change in humidity possibly in its new home or during shipping.

The tuning pins are tapered so that the diameter of the pin gets larger on the side where the tuning key fit onto the tuning pin. Lower the tone of the string about a half of a turn, and then as you turn the pin to tune the string back up, push the pin in. You can provide counter pressure by bracing the neck of the harp with your left hand, while pushing in with the key in your right.

This video will demonstrate this. 0:56

Another really good video to watch on this topic is from Steve Moss. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_lxIj0OjyQ
7. Putting on a Bass Wire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgmrKe44o-E

In order to successfully put on your bass wires, pull the string straight up all the way through the tuning pin straight up. Cut it off 2 1/2-3" above the tuning pin even though in the video it says 1". Push it back down so it is ALMOST flush with the tuning pin, just barely sticking out (less than the width of the string). Begin winding the slack around the tuning pin until you have it to pitch. This method is a good way to cut down on sharp edges cutting you or your case.

This video will demonstrate this. 0:44
 
8. String Tying  
 
Please click on the links below to view videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLslEP1t-b4

string tying 1:

This video will demonstrate how to tie a knot for the upper strings on your harp. These have gauges from .025-.040. These are the thinner strings on your harp with the higher notes.

0:58

string tying 2:

This video will demonstrate how to tie a knot for the lower monofiliment strings on your harp with gauges from .045 and larger. These are the thicker stings on your harp with the lower notes.

1:00
   
 
9. Putting a String on the Tuning Pin
 
Please click on the link below to view video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWvf5ZEvr7k&feature=youtu.be

Tuning Pin:

This video will demonstrate how to secure the string to the tuning pin on your harp.

1:18
 
   
 
10. Tubing on Levers (White Sleeves)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TywbDdM8LC0&feature=youtu.be

Fixing the lever with tubing:
You'll need some needle nose pliers and it's best to lay the harp down on the rug with newspaper under the harp neck, so if you drop the little tube you'll be able to find it. Also engage the lever so the fret is accessible. Otherwise the lever next to it may be in the way. You have to kind of fuss with it to get the tube onto the lever fret.

Then adjust the bridge pin by turning it clockwise to lower the pitch of the levered string. If you can't get it low enough, you might have to use the red torx wrench that is part of the tool kit, and raise the actual lever a tad which also lowers the pitch of the levered string.
 
11. Lever Regulation
 
Please click on the links below to view videos on Lever Regulation
bridge pin regulation
lever movement regulation

 

 

These videos will demonstrate how to regulate the levers on your harp. See the instructions for lever regulation here. Please call or email us if you are attempting this as some bridge pins need other tools than the ones shown in the video.
   
 

 

 

Thormahlen Harps | 1876 SW Brooklane Corvallis, Oregon 97333 | (541) 753-4334 | harps@thorharp.com