Friday, April 1, 2016

A ~ Aeolian Harp

    Flipping through the Wood magazine one day in the summer I turned sixteen, I stumbled across the directions to make an Aeolian Harp. I loved how it looked, and reading the description I got more than a little excited. It was intended to be set on the windowsill and the breezes blowing through the open window would play soothing melodies.
    Since it was an instrument intended to be played by wind instead of by humans it would be acceptable to have even though we were Amish.
     My brother John got right to work and made several of them. They did produce lovely music in the constant summer breezes, but he had tuned them carefully enough that we could play songs on it. Our music starved souls really enjoyed those harps.
     Later after LV and I started dating he was impressed with them and wanted to make one too. Armed with our patterns he proceeded to make one.
     We still have it. Sadly it's looking a little old by now after having been banished to the top of our china cupboard. Our windowsills don't work to use it in the way intended, and other musical instruments have come along replacing the need to pick out tunes on it.

33 comments:

  1. What a beautiful instrument. :) I have never seen one before. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day and weekend.

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    1. Thank-you! I think it's lovely as well, especially since it was made by my husband who just happens to not like woodworking at all. :)

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  2. I hadn't heard of this type of harp. Glad that you did take the plunge so to speak and make one, along with your brother's efforts too! Neat that you still have it!

    Thanks for visiting and enjoy the challenge!

    betty

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  3. I remember the first time I saw a harp similar to this. My teacher let me take it home from school-I was thrilled. Music adds so much joy to our lives-a lovely post!

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    1. Music really does add a lot to our lives! I can't imagine trying to live without it, even though I used to.

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  4. Beautiful harp and so sweet of your brothers to make them for you. I'm guessing if it was set in the window it would still make beautiful music. I can't imagine living without music, it's a constant in my days.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  5. I'd never heard of an aeolian harp and the picture surprised me very much! I learned something new today, thank you!

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  6. I had heard of an Aeolian harp but didn't know what it was. Nor did I know that you were not allowed to make music. At least the harp gave you something to listen to.

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    1. The harp was a lovely addition to our life at that time.

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  7. I am sure Andreas Vollenweider plays one of these, I am a great fan of his music. It is very chilled.

    Thanks for calling by I am hoping to make it to Z as unnoticed as possible this year. Good luck with the alphabet and a grand choice for A

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    1. I've never heard of Andreas Vollenweider before. I'll have to look up his music.

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  8. There's a deep satisfaction in fashioning something with your own hands. I also love the name of your blog! Joy, in its very nature, is chaotic. I'm glad you feel it.

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  9. I've heard teh term before from a song title, but i've never knew it was a real thing. what a great post. thanks for sharing.

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  10. A lovely concept for a musical instrument, and although I have never heard of it before, I so appreciate handmade anything. I am a quilter and have great appreciation for Amish Quilters and their extraordinary talents. Visiting from the AtoZ List near you...#734.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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    1. Making quilts is fun. Well ..... piecing the top is. I'm not very fond of the actual quilting part.

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  11. I enjoyed your A to Z post! Your certainly did your research. I also enjoyed learning about your interests and goals. We have many in common!

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  12. Good morning Mary Ann. This is the first time I've come across an Aeolian harp. Thank you for the warm story from your childhood:) I'd love to hear what it sounds like--maybe someday.

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  13. I've never heard of one. I didn't realize that Amish weren't allowed to play musical instruments. Thank you for expanding my world today!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.