NEW Coda Bows!

The NEW Coda Bow Diamond Series (NX, SX, GX) are now available through Nina lee's Music!

We are excited to be able to offer such high quality carbon fiber bows!

I personally gave the new Coda Bows a try on my Jeremiah Senner Violin. All 3 of the Codas blew my Presto bow out of the water. Everything from handling to sound was on a whole new level compared to my Presto. Double stops were easy, even and warm. Response was quick and the sound was lovely!

The NX, the lowest model, impressed me with it's stability. It was a very easy bow to play. The sound was smooth and nice. I highly recommend this one to a good student (as in, a student who practices regularly...the students who don't practice can stick with a $100 presto IMO!)

When handing the 3 bows (one by one of course!) to my students, who did not know which bow was which at first, to try out themselves, the NX rated high among my beginners and early intermediates. They prefered it over the GX because it "made it easy" (referring to making the violin sound good).

At first, there was a toss up between the SX & GX regarding which was my personal favorite. The voices produced by the two bows were very, very similar....beautiful & rich in tone. I fell in love instantaneously with the sound! I preferred the GX's handling, seemed much more stable (firmer) than the SX. I wasn't sure that my preferred feel was worth the price difference until I started really giving the bows a work out during a practice session. After working an hour with the GX and then returning to the SX for another hour....I really, really missed the GX ease of play. The GX won "my favorite" status after that session. Not 2 weeks later, that GX was sold to a student who couldn't keep her hands off of it!

I will be keeping Coda Bows here in stock so students & teachers in the area can come (by appointment) and try them out in person.

OHH! Before I forget! As an introductory special, Coda Bow only orders ship free within the USA!

Go to my website for more information www.ninasmusic.com

Enjoy,

NINA

For the King Revised picture

For The King Revised

I have re-printed my For the King Vol 1 & Vol 2 into one lever harp collection, For the King Revised. My plans are to offer a For the King for pedal harp in the future.

The reason for the revised version is to make it easier to read, have more songs under one cover, and reduce publishing costs. I hope you enjoy the new version.

The sheet music collection includes the 8 following hymns that were recorded on the For the King CD several years ago.

• Abide With Me
• Angels We Have Heard On High
• At the Cross
• Face To Face
• I Must Tell Jesus
• In the Garden
• Jesus Loves Me
• 'Tis So Sweet

They are arranged for the intermediate to advanced lever harpist looking for new and interesting arrangements for church, background, and pleasure. Price will be $10, that's only $1.25 per arrangement. You can purchase this new version through my website or snail mail. Simply send me an email if you have any questions. :)

I am currently working on arranging music for my 3rd Cd. This one will be done with my Venus Classic Pedal harp. I think you will fall in love with my harp's voice as I have. The actual recording will not start until Fall at the earliest. I do have my doubts about recording in the Fall, after all, it is orchestra season and I do a great deal with the orchestras here. Recording may get pushed to 2010 if my performance schedule remains as heavy as it has been.

This 3rd Cd (not yet titled) will have more hymns arranged for harp. I have added a few more instruments to these arrangements and I believe you will enjoy the addition.

Enjoy,
NINA

A Harp for a Wedding?

A harp at a wedding....what do you think?

As a professional harpist, of course I say have a harp at your wedding! I love the instrument and it adds a serious touch of class! :)

Here are some pro's and con's to having a harp at your wedding...maybe you can add a few more!

PROS

1. It's a beautiful instrument
2. It has a unique and romantic sound
3. It adds a wonderful *wow* effect for your audience
4. Live music has a special appeal
5. Can be used indoor or outdoor
   

CONS

1. It can be *expensive*
2. The harp needs room for harp, bench & stand
3. If an inexperienced musician is hired there could be *issues*
4. If you are having a theme wedding that doesn't work with the nostalgia of the harp. For example, if you are having a *cowboy* wedding...a guitar, fiddle, or other country instrument would fit better!

WHY?

Why would hiring a harpist be potentially expensive?

• Training....a harpist spends some major time & money to learn to play the harp. Professional harpists need to practice daily...usually for 3hrs or more. When you are hiring a harpist, you are hiring them to practice for several hrs to make sure your event is as perfect as possible!
  
• Instrument costs.....Harps range from $5,000 for a small lever harp to $20,000+ for the fancy concert harps. They need new strings every year or so, ranging from $75 (for the small harp) to $400+ (for the concert harp). Regular maintenance cost can range greatly with repairs, regulations, and other extra costs. Harp insurance and a vehicle large enough to haul the harp are not cheap on the harpist!
  
• Wedding location....Outdoor weddings, usually, cost more than indoor weddings because of the added stress to the harp and harpist. Outdoor conditions can cause lost strings, mechanical issues, and tuning problems....not that this is a concern for the bride...the harpist will manage these issues, they will just charge a bit more to cover for them.

How can I keep costs down?

• Have an indoor wedding
• Keep the wedding ceremony simple with minimal vocal accompaniment (some harpists charge per song)
  
• If having a smaller wedding, consider hiring a lever harpist...they are usually a bit cheaper with the harp cost and maintenance being lower. Keep in mind that the lever harp doesn't have the *wow* effect of the larger concert harp though.
• Consider hiring the harpist for the reception too...most harpist offer a discount if hiring for both ceremony and reception!
• Hire a harpist in your area to keep mileage fees low.
  

Not sure if you want a harpist? Then I would suggest you call your prospective harpist and ask to hear them play live. Most all harpists are more than happy to do this for a nominal fee...and may waive the fee if you do hire them for your event. By doing this, you can asses the skill of the harpist and look at the harp itself to see if it's design, look, and sound is what you are wanting. Nearly all experienced wedding harpists are very helpful with music selection and ideas to make your day special!

Enjoy!

Celtic Harp Recordings

Lever Harp CD's anyone?

Do you love harp music? Check out the "For The King" CD! Released in 2004, It's performed on my handmade Horse Tara harp that I finished when I was 18yrs old. The CD has old hymns that I arranged under the guidance of my instructors. You will love this soothing lever harp recording. It has 2 harp and cello tracks and 1 harp & voice selection. Get one while you can...it's a limited edition!

Do you love Christmas Music? "Christmas Blessing" will be your favorite Christmas harp CD! It was released for the 2006 Christmas season.
With this CD I've added another harp and harpist to create 3 harp duets for this recording. Professional harpist Alice Keene played on another handmade Tara lever harp of mine. She was the second harpist. Carol of the Bells was done with 2 harps and a glockenspiel...a really awesome combo! There are 3 harp/cello tracks and 3 harp/voice as well.

Harpmobile

My new "harpmobile" is a 2007 Honda Element EX, 2 wd, manual transmission. "Elly" fits my concert harp, 36 string lever harp, 2 stands, stools, gig bags, and 2 boxes of CDs all at one time!

Many thanks to O'Hare Honda in Chicago, IL for such a great deal and awesome service with this vehicle purchase!

Why did I choose an Element? It was a good deal cheaper to buy, own, & maintain than a van, plastic interior for easy cleaning, no seat removal needed, and it has a look at me attitude! Basically, a billboard on wheels!


I column load my Venus Classic on a 'slide' that I made. I cut a wedge to put in front of the cup holder that is between the front seats so the harp's slide, slides up and over easily. There are D rings on the interior sides so I can strap the harp down.

Loading is very easy, I can do it on my own. The tail gate makes the perfect 'starting' point for loading the Classic on her column. Works very nicely. The only thing that would make it easier is the removal of the cup holder....with my wedge, I have no problem. Without the wedge, it would be a good deal more difficult!

The detailing was done by Dever Designs in Sullivan, IL. They did the sign on the back windows, pinstriping and treble clef on the end. They did a fantastic job!


Enjoy!

Concerts

I will be performing on my brand new Venus Classic Pedal Harp in Sullivan, Il.

It is free to the public so bring all your friends!

April 27th, 2007 7pm at the Southern Baptist Church (just off hwy 121)

Not only will I be having the debut recital with my Classic, I will also bring my handcrafted lever harp, Tara.

Come have a wonderful time listening to beautiful harp music!

CD's will be available after the concert!

Come Join the FUN!!

NINA Marshall, Harpist
Bethany, IL 61914
www.ninasmusic.com