Musicmakers Reverie 2 User manual

CONGRATULATIONS on obtaining a Reverie Harp. You now have a tool that can help you tap
the amazing power of music.
Research confirms the benefits of music therapy for alleviating pain, elevating mood, counter-
acting depression, promoting movement for physical rehabilitation, calming agitation, induc-
ing sleep, counteracting apprehension or fear, and reducing muscle tension for the purpose
of relaxation.
Your Reverie Harp was hand-crafted in Stillwater, MN with these benefits in mind. With prop-
er care we are confident that you can enjoy a lifetime of musical pleasure from this therapeutic
instrument.
Make soothing music. No practice needed.
Enclosed in this folder you will find information on
• Care and maintenence.
• How to replace strings.
• How to tune your instrument.
• Playing suggestions.
There are many more resources available online at www.harpkit.com/reverieharp
We invite you to explore the beauty of this instrument. Just remember...
There is no wrong way to play the Reverie Harp!
THE REVERIE HARP

Musicmakers • www.harpkit.com
The Classic model and the Reverie 2 Deluxe feature a solid mahogany top and a solid cherry
frame. The Reverie 2 uses a baltic birch plywood top and back and a poplar frame. We have
taken care during the assembly process to help ensure that your instrument will withstand
most climates. However, if this instrument is exposed to an extremely dry environment for
long periods of time, the soundboard may shrink and crack. So please take appropriate precau-
tions. (Humidity Control)
The Reverie Harp is finished with a protective coat of Lacquer. We recommend Old English
furniture polish to clean and restore the finish. We like this brand because it doesn’t contain
any wax. Cleaning under the strings can be more of a challenge. You can try compressed air,
working a soft cloth under the strings, or the Dandy Dusters available from Musicmakers.
If you are using your Reverie Harp in a hospital setting and need to keep it disinfected you can
wipe down the instrument and strings with most alcohol based disinfectant wipes. One non-
alcohol based wipe recommend to us by several users in hospital settings is a product called
Oxivir Tb Wipes.
String
Zither Pin
2 inches
excess
cut here
CARING FOR THE WOOD
Good Rule of Thumb
Your Reverie Harp is comfortable when you are comfortable. In other
words - if you would get too cold or too hot sitting in your car for an hour
- the same is true for your harp.
CLEANING THE REVERIE HARP
REPLACING STRINGS
If a string breaks, then it is important that you back the tuning pin out a few turns (counter-clockwise)
before installing a replacement string. If you don’t do this you run the risk of screwing the tuning
pin too deep in the hole. If you have the Classic Reverie Harp, be sure to save the tiny washer
at the tail of the strings.
Thread the replacement string through the hole at the bottom of the instrument and pull the
string through until it is stopped by the ball end (classic model) or place the loop end over the
tail pin (Rev. 2 and Rev. 2 Deluxe models). Pull the string past the tuning pin and cut the excess
string about 2 inches past the tuning pin.

Musicmakers • 651-439-9120
Poke the wire into, but not all the way through, the hole in the tuning pin. Use your tuning
wrench to turn the pin clockwise about one-half turn before putting tension on the wire.
Pull on the wire to “set” it in the pin. This puts a kink in the wire at the point where it enters
the tiny hole in the tuning pin. If the wire pulls out of the pin when you pull on it, cut off the
kinked end and try again.
Keeping tension on the wire at all times, turn the pin about two complete revolutions with
the tuning wrench, letting the windings stack upwards as you turn the pin (look at the other
pins to see what this looks like). Once you have taken all the slack out of the string you can
bring the string up to pitch.
NOTE: This may seem like a silly exercise, especially if the wire keeps coming out of place
when you pull. We install the strings this way because the sharp ends are left hidden in the
tuning pins where they can’t poke fingers or catch on clothing. It really does work, and it is
worth learning the technique.
Strictly speaking, you don’t ever HAVE TO change a string unless it breaks. Strings do lose
their elasticity and begin to sound “dead” over time but you aren’t likely to notice this gradual
change. But put a fresh set of strings on your instrument after a year and you will be amazed
at the difference in tone! If you want to keep your instrument sounding its best, change your
strings every 6 months or once a year. If this isn’t a concern for you - just replace them as
needed.
Note that the Classic model uses ball-end acoustic strings and the Reverie 2 and 2 Deluxe use
loop-end acoustic strings. You may be able to find replacements at your local music shop,
otherwise replacement strings may be purchased from Musicmakers.
Log on to www.harpkit.com/reverieharp and check out the tuning
section for a short video on how to install strings.
WHEN TO REPLACE STRINGS

All finished Reverie Harps come tuned to our standard Reverie Tuning in the key of C unless
otherwise specified. We tune your harp at the factory before shipping but you will likely need
to tune the instrument a few times again when it arrives. After that you can expect to tune the
Reverie Harp about as frequently as you would tune a guitar.
We have provided you with a tuning template for our standard Reverie Tuning that you can
cut out and place under the strings. You’ll want to use an electronic tuner to check the tuning.
reference keyboard
CLASSIC REVERIE HARP
STRING NOTE GAUGE CODE
1 E5 .012” Steel BALL012
2 D5 .014 Steel BALL014
3 C5 .016 Steel BALL016
4 A4 .018 Steel BALL018
5 G4 .020 Steel BALL020
6 E4 .025 Bronze Wound BALL025
7 D4 .025 Bronze Wound BALL025
8 Mid. C4 .032 Bronze Wound BALL032
9 G3 .032 Bronze Wound BALL032
10 E3 .042 Bronze Wound BALL042
11 C3 .056 Bronze Wound BALL056
12 C3 .056 Bronze Wound BALL056
13 G3 .042 Bronze Wound BALL042
14 A3 .032 Bronze Wound BALL032
15 Mid. C4 .032 Bronze Wound BALL032
16 D4 .025 Bronze Wound BALL025
17 E4 .025 Bronze Wound BALL025
18 G4 .020 Steel BALL020
19 A4 .018 Steel BALL018
20 C5 .016 Steel BALL016
21 D5 .014 Steel BALL014
22 G5 .012 Steel BALL012
Uses BALL-End Acoustic Strings
TUNING THE REVERIE HARP
For help with tuning log on to www.harpkit.com/reverieharp and check
out the video and audio files in the Tuning section
REVERIE 2 and REVERIE 2 DELUXE
STRING NOTE* GAUGE CODE
1 E5 .012” Steel LOOP012
2 D5 .014 Steel LOOP014
3 C5 .016 Steel LOOP016
4 A4 .018 Steel LOOP018
5 G4 .020 Steel LOOP020
6 E4 .024 Bronze Wound LOOP024
7 D4 .024 Bronze Wound LOOP024
8 Mid. C4 .032 Bronze Wound LOOP032
9 G3 .032 Bronze Wound LOOP032
10 E3 .042 Bronze Wound LOOP042
11 C3 .048 Bronze Wound LOOP048
12 C3 .048 Bronze Wound LOOP048
13 G3 .042 Bronze Wound LOOP042
14 A3 .032 Bronze Wound LOOP032
15 Mid. C4 .032 Bronze Wound LOOP032
16 D4 .024 Bronze Wound LOOP024
17 E4 .024 Bronze Wound LOOP024
18 G4 .020 Steel LOOP020
19 A4 .018 Steel LOOP018
20 C5 .016 Steel LOOP016
21 D5 .014 Steel LOOP014
22 G5 .012 Steel LOOP012
Uses LOOP-End Acoustic Strings
Musicmakers
14525 61st ST CT N
Stillwater, MN 55082

Just play.
Seriously. Put this paper down and go play your harp for 5 minutes. See how easy that was?
Many people have a very loud inner voice that is trying to tell them they can’t play an instru-
ment. Nothing will still that voice faster than just playing.
Strum and Pluck.
Strum all the strings at once and while the strings are still ringing, pluck a series of single
notes at random. Notice how all the strings sounding from the first strum provide a nice
foundation for the individual notes. Experiment with this idea.
Explore Rhythm.
Pluck strings at random until you stumble upon a rhythmic pattern that you like. Pay more
attention to the rhythm than the notes you are playing remembering that any note will sound
OK. Notice if the rhythm wants to change over time. Let it change. Just be with the rhythm
and follow wherever it goes.
Explore Melody.
Sit quietly and pluck strings randomly until you hear a phrase or combination of notes that
sounds like a pleasing melody. Try to repeat what you just played. See how the melody wants
to be and how you respond to it. See how it changes over time. Maybe you change it on pur-
pose or maybe you hit a “wrong note” but feel like the “wrong note” is better...
Mix it up.
Combine any of these ideas together. Find a melody and then change the rhythm. Find a
rhythm and then change the melody. Add a full strum into a melody or rhythm.
Use a Songsheet.
If you want to play a familar melody on the Reverie Harp you can use some of the included
songsheets. See our directions for Using Songsheets on the other side of this sheet.
Playing Suggestions
The Reverie Harp

1. Take note of which tuning is shown on the sheet, and make sure your harp is tuned the
same.
2. Slide the song sheet under the strings with the note names nearest the tuning pins, as
shown.
3. Carefully line up the notes on the paper with the correct strings on the instrument.
4. If you use these song sheets with patients in a hospital, you should have them laminated
with a plastic coating so you can easily clean them with sanitizing wipes between patients.
HINT: You might want to mark where the paper
contacts one or both of the tuning pins on each
side of the instrument. en you can use a scissors
and/or paper punch to make a “locator hole” in the
paper to help hold the page in place.
Using Songsheets
Musicmakers
14525 61st ST CT N
Stillwater, MN 55082
www.harpkit.com • 651-439-9120

Instructions For Use 1. Cut out the template along the black line. 2. Place the template under the strings. The gray lines should sit just below the stings.
Note: Every harp is handmade so the strings may not line up perfectly, but they should be close enough.
3. Tune the harp to the notes on the tuning chart.
The number next to each note name indicates the octave. Middle C on a piano is C4. The numbers change every octave on the note C.
C3 is the C one ocatve below middle C D4 is the D just above Middle C C5 is the C one octave above middle C
Cut along this line
www.harpkit.com
Cut along this line
E5
E3
G3 G3
G4
G4
A3
A4
G5
A4
E4 E4
D5 D5
D4 D4
C5
C3
C4 C4
C5
C3
REVERIE TUNING
Key of C

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© Musicmaker’s Kits, Inc. All rights reserved.

©Musicmaker’s Kits, Inc. All rights reserved.
UUssiinnggtthheeRReevveerriieeHHaarrppDDuurriinnggPPrreeggnnaannccyy
While still in the womb the developing baby can experi-
ence both the sound and feel of music. Play the Reverie
Harp softly for the unborn child by holding it gently on
your stomach. Pluck strings slowly with your thumb or fin-
ger to make soft, gentle sounds.
Try to determine if the baby stirs or quiets when you do
this. Test it when the baby is active to see if the music
calms it down. Test it when the baby is quiet to see if it
stirs when the music is played.
If you have other children, get them involved quietly with your music, letting them play something softly for
the baby. Keep these times very special and quiet, perhaps just before bedtime.
Keep a journal of any notable observations. How does the music affect the baby? How does it affect
you as a pregnant woman? How does this activity affect the family dynamics?
Take the Reverie Harp with you to the birthing room.
Use it to calm yourself and the baby during labor.
Encourage your husband to play for you during labor
and delivery.
After delivery, encourage the nursing staff to use the
harp when the baby is under their care.
Use the Reverie Harp to connect with premature babies
that may be in an incubator.
UUssiinnggtthheeRReevveerriieeHHaarrppiinntthheeHHoossppiittaall

©Musicmaker’s Kits, Inc. All rights reserved.
SSiinnggiinnggwwiitthhtthheeRReevveerriieeHHaarrpp
There is an old saying that the Human Voice is the only musical
instrument made by God. Nothing is as soothing to a young child
as the sound of a parent’s voice singing a lullaby.
Using the Reverie Harp to accompany yourself singing a lullaby is
amazingly simple even for the complete non-musician. With no wrong
notes and only 2 “chords”, you will be playing along with confidence
in no time.
If a child is sung to while still in the womb, singing the same song to
the new born baby will provide comfort and familiarity.
Encourage older children to join you in singing. Having music in the
home impacts the development of a “musical ear” in children. Take
note of your child’s interest in listening to music, the ability to sing
along in tune, and the interest in learning to play a musical instru-
ment.
We have included several lullabies in the fol-
lowing section that work well with the Reverie
Harp. Begin by tuning the Reverie Harp to
the LLuullllaabbyyTTuunniinngg. This tuning lends itself
to singing quite well. You will notice that this
tuning produces 2 unique “chords”; one on
either half of the instrument.
We use a very simple notation to help you accompany yourself with the Reverie Harp. Above the
lyrics you will find an LLor an RR. If you see an LLyou would strum or pluck the strings on the LLeft side
of the instrument (as you look at the instrument). Conversely - if you see an RRyou would strum or pluck
the strings on the RRight side of the instrument.