Lever harps for beginners (UK) – looking for advice

[Allison Stevick]

I’ve played a Mark Norris harp! It is quite old, but I really like it. A great size, nice rounded back, easy reach for all strings, good sound. I’m looking forward to trying some newer ones at the harp festival in a few weeks! (SO EXCITED FOR EDINBURGH!)

[lyn-boundy]

If you’re planning to be at Edinburgh you might also want to look up Tim Hampson who made my beautiful Eleni. Although his harps are usually made to order or are reproductions of antique and traditional instruments he has recently started to make some ‘basic’ harps for beginners. I haven’t played any of these but I do know that Tim’s focus is always on the voice, over and above anything else so, while he is saving the customer money with these ‘baby’ harps it won’t be at the cost of their sound. Of course, as he builds to order there shouldn’t be any problem with adding your own specifications to anything you like the look of, though obviously, that may alter the price.

[hazel-child]

I feel the need to comment here even though the conversation is long over, because of the bizarre comments about Derwent Harps. The small harps, the 20 string adventurer, is the most fabulously robust little instrument I’ve ever encountered. I’m a music therapist, and I recommend this to all my friends and colleagues, for use in sessions – it is so lightweight, yet stays in tune through all kind of awkward handling by clients.
I also teach the harp, and I have found I can recommend these harps to small children, and adults exploring the idea of playing the harp for the first time, but fearful of spending too much in the beginning. I have never, in over three years since my first purchase, had to order a new string for any of them. And that includes my dear little purple therapy-session harp that has been knocked over, had things dropped on it, had people holding on to the strings like a handle and played 4 or 5 days every week.
I’m also happy to recommend the 34 strings as a good, reliable instrument. Mine is fitted with camac levers, has great tuning and can be carted around cheerfully in a standard harp bag, for any of my students who can’t bring their own harp to a music sharing evening. Some of them have to walk, or come by bus. And it cost a fraction of the other harps mentioned on this conversation because it’s made here in the UK and genuinely sold to encourage people to play. I’m delighted that so many people who could otherwise not access this magical instrument are having the chance. It would be awful if people genuinely looking for an affordable instrument were put off by the comments here. Thank you.

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