Hi all,

My 21st birthday just passed, and I was really hoping for a harp. I ended up not getting one, but I have been putting money aside for a while and have saved about $550 so far ($50 more every 2 weeks). I have been looking at different lever harps for months now, and have compiled a list of potential purchases. There is, of course, the Ravenna 26. I have read several different comments on it in these forums, and they all seem to be good enough. However, there are no sound samples available online, and I don’t live near any dealers that carry it (central NJ). Does anyone out there have one who could share a brief sample? I would really appreciate it! 🙂

Also, there is the Blevins Melody 26. I have listened to just about every Blevins harp, and, to me, the Melody sounds the most beautiful. There is a used one for sale on their website, for $730, which I can hopefully afford soon enough, if no one else buys it first.

I’ve also looked into Stoney End harps, like the Eve – though I would prefer the Anne, but I don’t think I’ll be going that route. Likewise with the County Kerry 24. It’s beautiful to look at, but the sample I heard didn’t sell me on it.

My ambition, by learning how to play the harp, is to satisfy a soul urge and also to hopefully become a “harp therapist”. I, like so many others, have wanted to play the harp from a very young age. I remember when I first learned what a harp was – I had a collection of rubber stamps with faeries and other fantastical things, one of which was a kinnor-style harp. Then, a couple of months ago, I had a dream where a certain angel gave me my own harp, and I played and played…

Anyway, I looked through the list of therapy harps on the IHTP page, but all of those are out of my range, besides the Harpsicle, which I don’t plan on buying.

I have also been scouring eBay on a regular basis to maybe come across a lucky find, but to no avail. I guess I’m just hoping for some advice on which of these would be best, or if you have a completely different suggestion that’s great as well! Or if you know where I could find a good deal on maybe a used harp… really, any and all advice is very welcome!

Thank you all in advance!

– Jen