lap harp advice – which harp (in the UK), best beginner’s music

[HBrock25]

Hi,

Many years ago I played a pedal harp, but had to sell it to pay for university 🙁 and have not played since. I’d really like to start again but budget and space limits, plus an interest in folk music, are pushing me towards a lap harp. I’ve done quite a lot of looking at makers but would like some more general advice (although I know such things are often personal preference, but I’d like to hear what you think anyway!)

1) What is the most flexible/widely used range for a lap harp

2)how many strings are ideal (22 minimum I think, this seems to be the average) and 3) what is the maximum sort of size for a 5’4 woman to hold comfortably?

Specifically, I’m looking at the aoyama Saul 25 – the higher tension, bigger spacing and more strings appeal, and I want full levers)

Blevins sound a good place to start, but seem very hard to get in the UK, I’m also looking at selkie survival and the county kerry 24.

Also, any recommendations for beginner and intermediate sheet music books to suit a lap harp?

The more ideas and advice the better, I’m open to all suggestions!

Many thanks,

Andii Gosling

[Tacye]

There are lots of ways of holding ‘lap’ harps.

[Andii Gosling]

I’m definitely interested in 2nd hand – I think every instrument I’ve ever owned; pianos, cellos and harps, have been second hand!

I read somewhere that the Saul 25 only goes down to G below middle C; is that right? Are there any similarly sized lap harps that go a little lower?

The ravenna looks good but I was trying to keep myself to a smaller and more portable option…but at the same time the 26 strings and the extendable leg really appeal…

[Tacye]

Nothing quite as small that I can think of that is readily available in this country (I am pretty sure there are people who could custom make one though).

[wil-weten]

Camac Bardic is avalaible in 22 and 27 strings.

The Camac with 27 strings is one of the small harps I am interested in.

In the UK available from: http://www.camacharps.co.uk/index.html?pages/leverharps/bardic_27.htm~mainFrame

And maybe from other stores as well.

Another interesting small harp is the Ravenna 26. It is also one of the harps I am interested in.

http://www.morleyharps.co.uk/acatalog/Ravenna_26.html

There is a lot of music for harps with 26 strings. You may want to have a look at:

http://www.folkharp.com/catalog/150/1926_strings (Melody’s traditional Music & Harp Shoppe; USA).

[Author]

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