HARP LESSON RESOURCES
CHOOSING A HARP
Harps are not standardized musical instruments and can be a bit confusing to new players. Out of all the various choices, the important priorities are: Sound, Fit, Range, Price.
Sound is Everything
New musicians need to know that the sound of their instrument is the most powerfully satisfying feature of doing music. The best harps have a rich, resonant voice; the strings are evenly balanced so the full range of the harp is responsive – even inspiring the player to reach for greater skills. Musicians “live” with their music, so understanding the sound of your harp is important because you are going to live with it for a long time. If possible try to play harps made from a variety of woods and different string configuration (gut versus nylon) before making a selection to make sure you find the sound pleasing.
The Best Fit for Beginners
Since playing the harp (like any other musical instrument) is such a physical experience, it is vital a new student play a harp that fits their body comfortably and securely. Matching statures (student height to harp size) is important.
For adults, sitting on a standard 18” high stool, up to a floor size model of 30-34 strings is a wonderful first choice. Many beginners who rent harps start with smaller harps, between 22-26 strings, these will usually have legs or stands to bring them up to the correct height. Full size Celtic harps contain 36 strings and rest on the floor with no legs or stands needed.
When choosing a harp for a child, you need to consider their right arm being able to reach around the top portion of the neck and body. They should be able to reach the top register of the harp easily for their comfort and to be able to progress. For a small child (age 6-8), sitting on a 12” stool with a 28 string harp set on the floor, is a reliable “rig” that will preserve healthy ergonomics. This way, both the adult and child’s feet support their upper bodies so they can hold the harp rightly and play freely.
Travel Harps – Strolling & More
Some unique and wonderful uses for small harps, is strolling (moving around while playing) and taking your harp on trips (car and airplane travel). Therapy harp is all about sharing music at the bedside, so smaller harps are perfect for this application.
However, small harps are not necessarily a good choice for a beginner because smaller sized instruments can be tricky to hold and coordinate. Setting a harp on the lap, table or stand can be risky to balance for young children or adults with special needs. These students are best served by playing floor size harps, which have the best playing position stability.
Harps come in all sizes with different amounts of strings. This influences the styles of music that is possible to play on it. Lever harps are capable of doing a wide variety of musical styles: Classical, folk, Jazz, Celtic, Renaissance, Blues, Pop, Sacred, Latin, Children’s, Therapy and Rock.
While smaller harps (22-30 strings) constitute a smaller musical range, we’d not agree this is necessarily “limiting” because many artists specialize in small harps in their careers. Certain compromises in playing techniques are present, of course.
Floor size harps (34-38 strings) offer full access to the musical styles, with little to no compromises.
Smaller harps possess a smaller volume compared to larger harps, possessing a larger volume.
Price
Handcrafted, solid wood, stringed instruments have the smallest profit margin in the market because of the unique skill mastery and fine materials required to create a reliable product. Nothing is more fundamental to the quality of a musical instrument than the materials from which it's made and how the materials are designed and rendered.
Lower priced harps have certain “compromises” while larger, pricier harps will offer the highest quality and musical potential.
The best option is to obtain an affordable harp that is well designed and crafted by luthiers committed to excellence at every price point.
If you purchase a harp made by a reputable luthier in good to excellent condition, depending on the size and accessories (levers, case, etc.), you can expect to pay from about $1,800 to over $8,000. Some manufacturers, retailers and harp owners will have rental harps, some with rent to buy options.
Options
When considering a harp for purchase, be sure to understand what is included and what is not, or is available at an extra charge. Ask the following questions:
Are there levers on all the strings? If not, which strings have levers? What is the cost to add levers? Is a case included?Is an electronic tuner included?
Check these sites for harps for sale and rent.
https://store.dustystrings.com/t-1-rentals.aspx. Call them at 866-634-1662 before you drive to Fremont as at times they are out of rental harps.
Reigning Harps for rent and sale: http://www.reigningharps.com/harps_for_sale.htm
Magical Strings: http://www.magicalstrings.com/HarpsDulcimers.html; Phillip Boulding, maker of various size harps from Ollala.
The Enchanted Harp: http://www.enchantedharp.com/ store in Puyallup; see web site for hours and stock.
Seattle Harp Artshttps://www.seattleharparts.com/ store in Edmonds; see web site for hours and stock.
Blessley Instruments, Vancouver, WA: http://home.pacifier.com/~blesses/
National sites to check:
Harpsicle: https://harpsicle-harps.com/6-harps
Rees harps: https://reesharps.com/. Rees Harps makes the Harpsicle harp, a great cost effective choice for beginners.
Stony End Harps: http://www.stoneyend.com/
Lyon and Healy lever harps: https://www.lyonhealy.com/harps/troubadour-vi/
Blevens harps: https://www.blevinsharps.com/
Dusty Strings harps: https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/harps/about-harps
Check out Harp Spectrum for a complete list of lever harp makers with links to web pages: https://www.harpspectrum.org/links/builders.shtml
EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR HARP LESSONS
Equipment requirements:
a harp to practice on at home. Use of your own harp is encouraged during lessons but you can use my harp if preferred. Harps come with tuning wrenches which are needed to keep the harp in tune
a music stand
some way to keep your harp in tune (electronic tuner, keyboard, or Smartphone app)
a metronome (or Smartphone app)
“Exercises for Speed and Agility,” by Deborah Friou is highly recommended for students at all levels. Available on Amazon.com, Sylvia Woods harp center (https://www.harpcenter.com/), amazon.com and Melody’s Traditional Music (https://www.folkharp.com/) among other sites, potentially ebay.
While I have certain music books and materials I will recommend, you are not required to purchase any particular book or series. I’m happy to work with you using whatever books or techniques you prefer.
BOOKS AND LEARNING RESOURCES
Students do not need to know how to read music prior to their lessons, nor do they need to have had past harp training. However, we will be reading music in our lessons, and this is something we can work on together. Basic theory and other musical concepts are taught in conjunction with the pieces that are being learned.
If you’re brand new to reading music, I request that you purchase “Theory Notebook Complete (Part 1, 2 and 3)” by John Brimhall et. al. Available on Amazon.com, http://www.sheetmusicplus.com and other sites, potentially on ebay.com.
While I have certain music books and materials I will recommend, you are not required to purchase any particular book or series. I’m happy to work with you using whatever books or techniques you prefer.
“Exercises for Speed and Agility,” by Deborah Friou is highly recommended for students at all levels. Available on Amazon.com, Sylvia Woods harp center (https://www.harpcenter.com/), amazon.com and Melody’s Traditional Music (https://www.folkharp.com/) among other sites, potentially ebay.