Beginner looking for a harp? 6 things you MUST know before you buy your first instrument!

[@deedeedray5954]

In our area there is a very small harp community, and no music dealer, five years ago, was carrying harps. My first harp was a student harp, rented as part of an Introduction To The Harp program. It had 26 strings and no levers. I quickly moved on to a 36 string harp that I rented from the person who offered the initial program. It had full levers, nice sound, but it was big, heavy, and hard to move. Then my teacher introduced me to another student so that I could try her harp. I really liked it, and I had already driven myself crazy with Internet research, so I decided to buy a Canadian made harp that was almost identical to her floor harp. Since she was much shorter than me, I decided to buy a bigger model, with 36 strings and full Camac levers (the same as her harp), but about 5 inches taller. It was a gamble, but I still have that harp, and I still love it, but I realize that I might not have been that fortunate. A couple of years later I bought a second harp, 32 strings with full levers, from the same manufacturer. It was lighter and easier to transport. It looks almost identical to my first harp, but it is a different wood, and it has a different sound. And its lowest note is G. It is a lovely harp, but if I had tried it before buying, I would have chosen a harp with two full octaves below Middle C, and I would have looked for a different sound, something closer to my first harp. So I would definitely find a way to try a variety of harps before buying another harp.

[@CoffeeBreakHarp]

It can be very hard to find the right instrument when you cannot try many different harps in person... then it's a blessing to have your harp teacher and other harp students and that you could benefit from their experience and advice to acquire two lovely instruments! 💛

[@fatehqizilbash516]

I admire not just your talent, but the tremendous detail you go into here, giving so much useful information. I managed to attempt a harp-like study from Giuliani opus 48 on the classical guitar, and considered then what it must be like playing the harp itself ! Thanks again.

[@CoffeeBreakHarp]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! I don't know that study, need to listen to it - thank you for sharing about it here!

[@nancyclarneau6353]

I am in an area with no harp community or local teachers, and I just looked for everything I could find on Internet to decide on what harp to buy, in order to start learning about 1 1/2 years ago. In addition I decided only to consider harps from continental Europe, to limit the costs of shipping and customs. I ended up ordering a Salvi Mia, 34 strings, fully-levered, and it has turned out to be a great harp for a new student. If I had seen this video before then, I could have looked into renting! I probably would have found something in the larger cities 2 or 3 hours from me, and I can see the advantages of starting with a rental.

[@CoffeeBreakHarp]

Many harp learners don't realise it's possible to rent an instrument at the beginning, but it sounds like you made a great choice! And even if you ever decide to look for a new harp, Salvi harps keep their value really well and you will be able to find a new owner for your Mia very easily 💛

[@peaceandserenitylovejez]

How many strings should i get if i only want to play Gospel music? I hope you can give me advice coz i will buy my 1st harp 🙏

[@wholovesyababy5574]

Get 36 strings if you are buying a lever harp, fully levered.

[@jandunn169]

I live in Hawaii and most of the music stores only sell ukeleles. Do you know if you can rent a harp and have it sent? People get married here so I have a feeling that there may be some harpists here.

[@edhotchkin5938]

I live in Des Moines, Iowa, and there are NO harp teachers, suppliers, repairs......nothing. This is pretty discouraging......for me, at least.

[@wholovesyababy5574]

You don’t need any of those things. Most people buy and have the harp shipped to them. Hardly anyone buys a harp locally. As for learning, there are so many online options. There are video classes: How to Harp, Learning the Harp, Harp-School, OAIM, Udemy, etc. Plus many well-known teachers offer lessons via Zoom.