Some Advice Please

Return to forums

Log in to your Harp Column account to post or reply in the forums. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to email us to set one up.

This topic has 66 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 2 months ago by unknown-user.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 67 total)

1 2 3 4 5 →

Author

Posts
January 20, 2009 at 3:57 pm #161513

unknown-user
Participant

Hello everyone.

January 20, 2009 at 4:07 pm #161514

jennifer-buehler
Member

Avoid the Caitlin!!

January 20, 2009 at 5:06 pm #161515

unknown-user
Participant

Thank you for that Jennifer.

January 20, 2009 at 5:34 pm #161516

Karen Johns
Participant

Jennifer is absolutely right- you do not want to get this type of harp! Some people have gotten a decent sounding one, but it seems to be rather the exception than the rule.

If you have any inclination towards trying to build a harp, the cheapest way I can point you is to build one from a kit. Try http://www.harpkit.com

January 20, 2009 at 6:42 pm #161517

Liam M
Participant

Fiona a chara,

January 20, 2009 at 7:31 pm #161518

Tacye
Participant

Can you make it to the Edinburgh Harp Festival http://www.harpfestival.co.uk ?

There are not many harp shops in the UK which stock a wide range of good harps by different makers- but they do come to the festivals.

January 20, 2009 at 11:38 pm #161519

Harpa Overy
Member

I would second the advice to look at musicmaker’s kits – they really are very good instruments and allow you to personalise the decoration/finish if you wish. As money is an issue (as it is for most at present) you can also save a bit by not installing levers right away. You can always instal them later, when you’ve a bit of knowledge under your belt and are playing pieces that require key changes. Just remember that there will be tax to pay when the kit reaches the UK so you’ll need to figure that into your sums.

I’d also second the advice about Pilgrim’s Skylark. Pilgrim harps are generally very well thought of by those who’ve played them so if you haven’t already, you might want to check out their website.

Unfortunately harps just aren’t cheap, but especially so here in the UK!

January 20, 2009 at 11:38 pm #161520

unknown-user
Participant

Aye Liam.

January 21, 2009 at 1:01 am #161521

Audrey Nickel
Participant

I’d caution you against the “it doesn’t look too difficult” kind of thinking.

January 21, 2009 at 1:58 am #161522

unknown-user
Participant

What I meant by “doesn’t look too difficult” was learning which strings represent which note.

January 21, 2009 at 2:03 am #161523

barbara-brundage
Participant

It would be an excellent idea to find a teacher before buying a harp. For one thing, many teachers (at least in the US) either have instruments they rent out inexpensively to students or know where you can do this. It’s a good idea to play a while before you buy; you’ll have a much better idea of what works for you when you’re ready to spend the money.

January 21, 2009 at 3:48 pm #161524

unknown-user
Participant

Well, the good intentions of finding a harp teacher locally fell flat on it’s face I’m afraid.

January 21, 2009 at 4:36 pm #161525

Karen Johns
Participant

Pamela Bruner- Play The Harp Beautifully Series. Great starter book, really takes it a step at a time. She is very thorough with her approach. I recommend getting the DVD’s that go with this book as well. Check out http://www.heartlandharps.com

January 21, 2009 at 4:40 pm #161526

Rachel
Participant

Pamela Bruner’s “Play the Harp Beautifully” Vol. 1-2

January 21, 2009 at 7:52 pm #161527

Audrey Nickel
Participant

One possible concern with the Sylvia Woods DVD…I think it may be region 1 only (I don’t have my copy anymore, so I can’t check).
Author

Posts