Advice to beginner harp players

[shelby-m]

Hopefully, within the next few months, I will have my hands on a harp and will then be immersed in a whole new musical world…

So, I have a question to put to all of you:

[deb-l]

get an extra set of strings with your harp… just broke 2nd F and now I can’t play any of the songs I’m working till new string arrives

[darth-mom]

Find a teacher BEFORE you get a harp.

[Jessica A]

Maybe we need more info.

[Sid Humphreys]

Yes, there are so many other questions here! It will be best to find a teacher first; they can answer most of your questions. Be prepared to have a full set of strings for spares. You will need a proper bench and music stand with a good light. Electronic tuner is a must (tune EVERYday even if you think you don’t need to)!

[shelby-m]

Ok, to answer a few questions….
I’m going to be 17 years old next Friday, I’ve played flute for 7 1/2 years and I took piano for almost 3 years when I was in middle school.

[diana-lincoln]

Shelby,

I’m new to the harp too! I’ve got a few years on you, I’m 53. I’ve had about 3months of lessons to this point. I have learned so much from just looking through the older posts on harp column. There is so much wisdom in these “pages” including subjects you may never have thought to think of. Your note indicates that’s what you are looking for… My small piece of advice is to enjoy the process and most especially all the wonderful people you will meet along the way.

[shelby-m]

All the harpists I’ve talked to are just wonderful, sweet people and they’ve all told me that harp has taken them places they’ve never imagined… When I went to the Highland Games last summer, the harpist doing a demo on Friday said that she actually played her cross-strung Spanish harp for the Princess of Spain once!

For this thread, I was really hoping for some people to give me practical advice about stuff that’s happened to them that they never expected… i.e., forming calluses, things that helped them in the early days of playing, etc.

[Alissa W]

Shelby,
I noticed your blog about hoping to get a harp soon and how you need to save up about $500 more (don’t forget tax and carrying case!).

[Alissa W]

Here’s the website:

[Alissa W]

And the one in Mass.:

[deb-l]

The place Alissa refers to in Salem is Harp Connection.

[shelby-m]

Alissa:
Thanks so much for the links!

[unknown-user]

Yay NH! I live there and am 17 too… except I live at a boarding school outside of Boston for most of the year . I definitely don’t live in rural NH

[shelby-m]

Haha!

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