Pedal vs lever… getting back into harp!

[harp57]

Hello,

I would like to get back into playing harp. I have a music degree in harp but haven’t played in an orchestra for 15 years. I feel like a pedal harp would have the most repertoire I’m used to, but I don’t really plan on playing in an orchestra. I just want to play for fun and maybe take lessons with a professional harpist in my city. Maybe I’d consider playing at small events / churches / hospitals. Should I consider a lever harp for now to see how much time I actually put into it? If yes, what size?

Thanks!

[Biagio]

I’m surprised that no one has replied to this yet, but for what it’s worth here is my take:

You seem unsure where a harp might take you so in your place I would not at this time plunk down $10,000+ on a pedal harp. If you expect to do small event gigs that is also an argument against a big instrument unless you have a van to transport it. So I would go with a GOOD 34-36 string lever harp, for which there is a ready second hand market; either for your first acquisition and/or future resale. Depending on where you live there are some excellent lever harps being made: by Camac, Salvi, L&H, Dusty Strings, Blessley, Thormahlen, etc.

[Gretchen Cover]

I would rent a harp for a few months. Biagio, it is difficult to give advice when the request is so broad. Since Harp57 was a harp major, he/she will need to sort this out. I was in the same boat when I got back into serious harp playing after quite a few years of coasting and not really playing. I had to decide for myself what would work.

[balfour-knight]

My dear friends, please see the other thread by Harp57 called “Salvi Orchestra Model Help” in which we have just been informed that a lovely black Camac Excaliber lever harp has already been purchased at the Virginia Harp Center. It was so nice of you, Biagio, and Gretchen, to respond to this thread, though.

Have a wonderful day,
Balfour

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

You should definitely go for a pedal harp as long as you can swing it. You’ll want to get into your old repertoire at some point, and enjoy discovering all the new, and lessons are definitely in order. Lever harps are very limiting.

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