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  4. Harp glissandi

  • Harp glissandi

    G
    G

    For all the success I've had, and joy I've gotten out of using these libraries, I've finally comes across an issue that I can't solve-even though it seems like it should be simple!!!

    Trying to create a white key (C major) glissando using Harp I preset level 2. This gliss should take place across two bars at the tempo of 63 bpm. None of the glisses I play using C#7 as the trigger note cover this amount of time, and overlaying one on top of another, the second as the first fades out, sounds corny and unconvincing. Has anyone had success making this sound realistic?

    Thank you!

    Gary
  • W
    W

    When there is a harp glissando that is not covered by the sampled ones, you can time stretch it - something I never tried - or  program the individual notes without too much difficulty.  When I've done that I doubled the notes that would be enharmonics given the pedal settings of the harp, and that makes it sound very natural, especially if you use some humanize in the timing and velocity.   This is also how you would program a glissando in an unusual (but possible for harp) scale.  
  • G
    G

    Interesting, thanks!!!
  • G
    G

    I never tried the time stretch for this, interesting. Another option, and the most common I use in these cases, is simply to to play a gliss on your keyboard from the starting to end note, practice a few times timing it, and then add the appropriate accidentals in the piano roll. I also repeat some notes to make it more realistic.
  • G
    G

    Thanks, Guy!
  • G
    G

    Shouldn't it be possible for VSL or a third party to create a plug-in that would transpose each of the seven white keys in each octave either up or down a semi-tone? That would allow us to play glissandi just as we want them in real time. Please advise!!!!
  • M
    M

    Concerning creating a glissando for harp with the right notes:

    In Dorico it is possible to create glissandi in harp music, that use exactly the notes as will be played on a harp.
    First you have to create a harp player in a project.
    Then you have to set the pedals in the right position in the staves.
    Now you can write a glissando sign between 2 notes (can be up or down). 
    When playing this fragment you hear the right tones (also the doublings if present).
    After this it is possible to export the just written music to a midi file.

    You have to go some steps of course, but it is possible.
    And when you compose in Dorico it is a great tool!
  • G
    G

    Thanks for this response. I know of Dorico's capability in this area. I prefer to work in Cubase, and hope that Steinberg augments their MIDI input transformer to include harp pedaling emulation.
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