Absolutely! The lever harp has a great deal to offer a beginning student. It is far less intimidating in many ways and will free up the eager new student to focus on making beautiful music. It is significantly lighter and shorter than a pedal harp. It’s easier to establish the correct positioning on the shoulder without the added weight and height of the pedal harp. Moving it around the house for the perfect spot is a breeze comparatively. Generally, a tall bench is not needed with the lever harp so the student can find something appropriate at home. 

Tuning 33 strings is way easier than 47. Those extra 14 strings are harder to reach and maneuver, and also difficult to pick up on an electronic tuner. For some, the added struggle of tuning the pedal harp in C-flat major can be daunting. 

The most obvious and common reason to begin on lever harp is cost. Rentals and purchases are vastly different and can make a significant impact on the family finances. However, if money is no object for a student desiring a pedal harp, I like to get them on pedal harp once lever changes within the piece are introduced. There’s no need to get too complicated with lever changes during a piece for a student who will ultimately play on a pedal harp. 

Beginning on lever harp really takes some of the pressure off a new harp family and will give them time to figure out which pedal harp is right for them. 

—Susan Bennett Brady

In the past, I always preferred to start young students on pedal harp instead of a non-pedal instrument. Why? Because the student could play pieces written in so many different keys, even if not actively changing pedals right away. My position has changed over the years, however. I now see that starting a student on the lever harp brings great advantages. First, the instrument is much more affordable than the pedal harp. Second, modern non-pedal harps have great string tension, identical string spacing as pedal harps, and they produce beautiful sound. Third, there are so many great pieces written to be played on this small instrument. I had not realized this before I started my studies in the U.S. The repertoire is vast, and the musical and technical components are wonderful. 

I think that harp teachers should not oppose but rather encourage young students to start on non-pedal harps. For younger students, it is easier to sit correctly and balance the instrument. Hand position and all main techniques can be easily introduced. Finally, let us not forget about its portability. Young students can travel with their small harps and share their music with friends at school and extended family living far away. The lever harp is a great way to introduce the harp and begin the path of musical discovery.

—Elzbieta Szmyt

Unless the family or adult student already owns a pedal harp, I always recommend starting with a lever instrument, properly fit to the student. It is easier to handle, easier to tune, less daunting, and far less expensive. Learning to sit at a harp (no dangling feet), develop basic hand techniques, and learning to read music does not require a pedal harp. 

Probably the biggest beginner problem is tuning. Most students tune only a few strings in the center of the harp. Convincing them (or their parents) that the entire harp should be tuned daily, takes a lot of oversight, pressure, and time. It is far more achievable with a smaller size harp.

Finally, students come in all sizes and abilities. Harps come in a variety of sizes. They need to fit each other. Switching to pedal harp requires important decisions: When is the right time? How old, how tall, and how coordinated is the student? Can they reach the pedals? Do they need a footstool for proper position and balance? Should they start with a smaller model of pedal harp, then trade up later on? Having a small child practice on a harp that is too large is extremely risky to their physical development (shoulders and back). A harpist with a growing body needs to play an instrument that is appropriate to their physical size. • 

—Stephanie Curcio