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I got to have a good chat with my daughter last night and got a little bit more from her. Preteens! I’m learning I have to ask *exactly* the right questions to get the information I really want. Anyway, she told me about how she played on quite a few concert grands when she did private lessons and master classes, at camp. Some she felt a little uncomfortable with the size and weight, but she got really excited telling me about a friend’s concert grand. She said it wasn’t as heavy as her teacher’s harps and it sounded so much better. Ah ha! Now she’s giving me something I can work with! She could only tell me that it was an L & H, but at least it’s a start. We chatted some more about what is realistic for us and that it might take awhile to figure this all out. I think she and I are a bit more on the same page now.
After more research how I wish someone was ready to give up a Salvi Arion 44! I know they were discontinued, but that seems like the perfect harp for her and my budget. A mom can dream, right? 🙂
Again, thank you to all who have replied and shared their opinions. Even if they are different, I do appreciate all the help. I’m grateful to have found this community.
Btw, if anyone has a modest pedal harp available for rent for a few months, I’d love to try that before purchasing. We are in the central Arkansas area. I’m willing to drive about 4 hours (maybe a little more) to pick it up and return it.
For the reasons you mentioned, Gretchen, that is why I am not in a hurry to purchase. I’m shopping and educating myself now for if/when she does decide she really wants to do this. Then I feel I would be in a better position to help her in making an educated decision about the best harp for her while still sticking to what we can afford. I really wish I could find a reasonable local rental. I think that would give us all the best picture of what she really wants to do. Sadly, I haven’t been able to locate anything.
She loved working in harp ensembles, but the orchestra ensemble is what I am referring to that she seemed to flip flop on. I agree that it would force her to play at a higher level, but she has to want to do that. She auditioned for the student orchestra ensemble with her lever harp. The judges seemed impressed with her, but said she would need to be a bit more advanced and playing pedal to be able to join. All that is totally up to her. She knows she is not moving up to a pedal harp just because her teacher said so. My husband and I both told her we have to see in her actions (practice, commitment, etc.) not just her words that she really wants to do this. I’ll admit that I want her to want this, but I am resolved for her to show us before moving on this.
When she sat at her teacher’s harp months ago, it was really quickly, so she probably was positioned incorrectly. She got to experience sitting behind more pedal harps this summer at a camp so she probably wouldn’t have the same issue now.
Alyson, I appreciate your thoughts about putting money aside while seeing how all of this shakes out. That is an excellent idea.
Andelin, I wanted to respond to some of your questions.
I’ve been considering harps older than 10 years old. I will have to rely on a harp technician to check things out as I wouldn’t know what to look for to make sure I wouldn’t have a mountain of expensive repairs ahead of me. My daughter is probably lower intermediate or so in terms of her level. I’m not sure how else to quantify that. We will be working on her moving this harp more by herself once we get it. But initially, it will probably be me or my husband moving it most of the time. I want to make sure I can handle it myself though.
She would definitely be uncomfortable if the harp was too heavy. She sat behind her teacher’s harp a few months ago (not sure of the specific model, but sure it is an L&H concert grand) and dramtically indicated it was too heavy.
Thank you so much for all the responses.
There is not much of a harp community where we live and I have had no success finding a used harp to rent. I even checked surrounding states with not much luck. I’m in no rush to buy a harp but I’ve enjoyed shopping and I have learned A LOT. I am being very strick about our budget. I’ve already worked out what we can afford in a monthly payment, and how long I’m willing to carry a payment. If the price of the harp doesn’t fit within those parameters, then it is a no go.
I certainly appreciate the comments about getting a used harp and the comparison to used cars. I am definitely a used car kinda girl, for some of the same reaons, so that doesn’t bother me. In fact, the only way we would end up with new is if we traded in on the bounty program. Otherwise I’m shopping for used.
I’ve tried to include my daugther in which type of harp to go with based on her goals, but she is not helping me out. She and her teacher have discussed her playing in a local student ensemble which at first she seemed to want to do. I asked her about it recently and now she says she doesn’t really want to. Grrr… But she definitely says she wants to keep playing. She doesn’t have plans to study music in college, which is totally fine with me, but she’s not really telling me anything. Keep in mind she is 11. There are many days she would rather play with her dolls than practice. I’m pretty much deciding on this. The closest place to be able to try out more than one harp is 8 hours away. I don’t think I’m up for making that drive, with two other kids in tow when there might be 2 maybe 3 harps in our price range to try out especially when her biggest concerns are the color and whether or not it has scroll decoration! HA!
My husband drives a Ford Expedition which has been easily roomy enough to carry her Ogden, so I’m thinking we’ll be fine with all of the harps I’m considering. It even fits in my car, a Mitisubishi Outlander, with one seat folded down and room to spare. We’re good on harpmobiles.
I am the one who ends up taking her and her harp to most recitals and performances so it would be me handling it most of the time. I’m average build, 5’6″. When looking at some of the semi grand models mentioned and their weights, we might be better off with something smaller for the time being.
My gut is leaning toward a used Camac Clio, but I am still very much open to other possibilities. The Salvi Arion is gorgeous, but out of our price range, even used. Any other things I should take into consideration?
Thank you again for all of the replies, they have been quite helpful.
I am able to carry my daughter’s L&H Ogden with her in the back seat in a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. We have to fold-n-tumble two of the seats of the middle row, and be careful of the hardware for a third row jump seat, but it is completely flat and the harp fits nicely. I love that the tail gate folds down for easier loading. I bought this car because of my daughter and her harp and plan to drive it for awhile. Crossing my fingers that when she moves up to a pedal harp that it will also fit.
Thank you both for your great suggestions. She does still need a lot of help at 7 years old, but we might try letting her warm up on her own to lighten things up.
Georgina, you gave a lot of great suggestions that suit her age and personality. I will also check out the book you mentioned.
Thank you both so much!
