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I agree with Wil-Weten’s recommendation of Heather Downie’s free and subscribed online lever harp school.
Both Heather and Ailie (Robertson) are considered to be the ‘gems of Scottish harp’ having won many competitions and accolades in their young lives thus far. They are both incredible teachers, composers as well as musicians and this is readily apparent in their unique teaching style.
Wil-Weten has already given the link to Heather’s online harp school so here is the link to Aili Robertson’s online harp school, sheet music and technical studies books etc:
Since Carl has given an excellent explanation of his book of etudes, I thought that I would share the aforementioned exercise book by Ailie Robertson as I recently cane across a YouTube video for it. It is entitled “Technical Exercises for Lever Harp.”
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVb2JcIyaXI
I would highly recommend Jacqueline Pollauf’s exercise series for both lever and pedal harps which are published via ‘Oakway Studios’ and available as a PDF download or paper version.
Here is the link: https://www.harpinsideout.com/exercises
In addition, she has a wonderful range of YouTube videos on all things harp where she demonstrates all of the exercises mentioned above. If you play only lever harp, do not be put off as she tends to demonstrate on her pedal harp for these you tube videos. However, she is scrupulous in her communication skills and ALWAYS states clearly whether the tune or technique can be played on a non-pedal harp. Naturally, she has vids of her playing on a lever harp also.
Here is the link to the Camac website pertaining to the professional regulation of their harps.
They have a list of qualified technicians world wide.
There are harp technicians available at the annual International Edinburgh Harp Festival (early April) but usually have to be booked in advanced.
This is the link to a YouTube video of renowned Harpist Josh Layne self-regulating his Camac Excalibur professional lever harp.
Here is the link to the Camac website specifically for tools to regulate both their lever and pedal harps in addition to replacement pedal wraps and levers etc
https://shop.camac-harps.com/en/category/accessories-covers/spare-parts-tools/
I realise this is an old post. However, I have a 2003 Honda c-RV automatic 5-door ‘Estate’ (driver’s seat on the right) and I managed to get a Concert Grand Aoyama Monarch 47 D model into it quite comfortable with only the back seats down! I was rather surprised!
The height of the ‘Monarch’ is 188cm; width of extended soundboard is 53.5cm and the weight is 36 Kg (79.3 pounds).I have to say that this is the best marketing video I have ever seen for any musical instrument and particularly for the harp – lever, pedal or otherwise.
I love the ingenuity of the machine tuners which allow for quick tuning so no need to carry around a wrench or have it inadvertently drop onto the sound board.
It is so light weight and gorgeous. I have visions of me playing it around the Scottish glens where I live like some sort of Bardess, watching the Salmon leap from the River Earn.
I think it is a great harp for therapeutic environments also.
Its a pity that it only has 29 strings as it is well within the price range of most students who could carry it on public transport without having to nag parents for a lift or for adult learners who perhaps cannot afford a car or care too much about the environment to run one. However, my understanding is that a small harp must have 34 strings to satisfy the requirements of the Associated Board exams although I fully appreciate that it has not been intended for this purpose.
gorgeous harp. It would have been worth the 19% surcharge which the European Directive dictates we have to pay. Are you going to be posting sound clips or YouTube videos?
Dear Katerina
I only came across your posting today so forgive me for posing questions on your aesthetically appealing new harp some three years after your posting!
May I ask which tutor book you started with or are you mostly self-taught with a few master classes from Andrew Lawrence-King?
Did you have to pay the 19% VAT in addition to the sale of the harp? Were the shipping fees very expensive?
Does the harp require annual regulation?
Do you require an ‘estate car’ for purposes of transportation?
I know that there are youtube videos on the Thurau website but have you yourself made any youtube videos that I may have a look at?
Kind regards,
Pheona
