Stephanie's "Little Lessons"

#55: Buzzing- Unit 2 - Finger Buzzes

Not all the buzzy sounds that emanate from your harp are caused by structural quirks. Many, if not most of them, are caused by your fingers coming in contact with a string while it is vibrating. Solutions to this type of problem are very tricky.

PRECISE ATTACK:

-ATTACK is the term used to describe how one initiates (produces) a note on a musical instrument. To attack an already vibrating harp string requires that you grab it firmly, securely, and as quickly as possible. A timid or hesitant attack will invariably produce a little buzz that occurs when the finger lightly touches the string without sufficient pressure to immediately stop the vibration.

-ANGLE OF ATTACK is another pertinent factor. If a string is vibrating and you wish to play it's neighbor on the higher side, you must avoid accidentally touching the already vibrating string during your approach. Usually the buzz is caused by either the nail or the first knuckle of the finger coming in contact with the vibrating string. To avoid this it is necessary to monitor the angle of your finger and this is best achieved by pushing the wrist inward a little which effectively draws the arch of the fingers a little bit toward the player.

-MUFFLING refers to the process by which we dampen (or "stop") the sound of a string. It is sometimes the only way to avoid a buzz. There are many different techniques for muffling which will be addressed in a future "Lesson".

See you next month.

Stephanie

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