Gayle Levant - Salvi Harps, Inc.

that I was acknowledged!HC: That’s nice. They do it more lately,it seems. There used to not be anythingabout the musicians in the credits.GL: That’s right. And I think musiciansthat, whether it be a lead trumpet or anincredible violin solo, whatever it is, I wishthat they would be acknowledged,because they bring so much to a moment.HC: What advice do you have foryoung harpists who want to get into thisbusiness?GL: As far as anybody wanting to possiblycome into the industry, I don’tknow… It’s like anything else—it’s whoyou know. The industry is based on relationships.I think as far as doing studiowork, especially film scoring, you have tobe a good sight-reader. You have to bequick. You have to have good technique.You have to have an understanding—atleast I feel—of what the composer’s tryingto get, because so many times, the scoresare written on synthesizers, and the harppart, when it’s extrapolated from thescore, has been written on a keyboard,and maybe it’s not playable. So you haveto be aware of what the composer’s tryingto do and give him the best you can,although you may have to change thepart.HC: Understanding the intent.GL: That’s right.HC: What about musical styles? Youcan always tell the melody instrumentplayers who are only classical players anddon’t listen to the radio, because theycliniciansbeckybaxtermarybircherplay, as I say…GL: They play the notes.HC: Yes, they play the notes, and therhythm’s there, everything’s very accurate,but there’s no soul to it.GL: That’s right. And, not to jump overyou, but a perfect example would beMarty Paich, who has since passed away,who was a phenomenal arranger. And Ican’t tell you how much respect I had forhim—I adored this man. And he was a9th midwest harp festivalv Ensemblesv Chamber Groupsv Concertsv Solo Competitionv Private Coachingjanjenningsv Workshopsv Harp Maintenanceand Regulationselizabethrichter“Teacher andReturn Registrant Incentives!”peterwileywww.midwestharpfestival.comharpfestival@sbcglobal.net918.832.0934March/April 2008Harp Column •31