More Info - Celtic Harp Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost me to buy a harp?
Cost depends on the size, make, quality, features and accessories of the harp you are buying. West Coast Harps prices range from a 26-string, no levers lap harp (Harpsicle package) to the 36-string professional model Dusty Strings FH36S package. It’s important to do your research first, try as many harps as you can, examine what you are going to use the harp for and if possible, rent one for a while before making the plunge.
What’s the best harp for a beginning Adult or Child?
The best harp is one you like the sound & look of (they don’t all sound the same!), one that is physically comfortable to play, one that you can transport easily and one within your budget! Again, try before you buy, and compare features of various instruments to see which best suit your needs. Don’t settle for a poor sounding harp as it will de-motivate you from practicing and thus improving.
Do I need to have levers on my harp? How many?
Levers on folk harps enable you to play in different keys. A full set of levers will enable you to play in 8 major keys and their related minors as well as use many accidentals. If you can’t afford the full set of levers, a good compromise is 2 levers per octave (F & C strings), or even better, 3 levers per octave (B, F & C strings) but arrange with the harp-maker or retailer that you can add the remaining levers later if you wish. Teachers often rent harps with no levers to beginners as the levers aren’t required to learn most technique and the harp is less expensive to purchase and maintain.
How long will harps last? Do they appreciate in value?
I recommend purchasing harps from experienced luthiers as they are familiar with the stresses on the instrument and construct them for the best tone and strength. A folk harp should last decades if protected from temperature and humidity extremes, falls and grasping 2-year-olds! Used harps, unless they are obsolete antiques, if well-maintained will usually appreciate as the price of comparable new harps rises.
How often does a harp need to be tuned?
Every time you play it and twice on Sundays! Initially, as the strings are stretching and the soundboard is lifting slightly, harps will need frequent tuning. After a few weeks or months they stabilize but still require regular tuning for the best sound. Regard tuning as the ear training part of your practice – as valuable development time.
What do I need to tune a harp?
A reliable electronic tuner is recommended plus of course your harp key. Tune your harp with the levers disengaged (ie. with “open strings”) in the key that your harp-maker recommends (usually E flat).
Do harps require much maintenance?
The Basics:
How easy is a harp to move around?
If you plan on participating in harp circles, traveling with your harp, gigging or simply sharing your music with friends and family keep in mind the portability of your harp. Have a case for your instrument with secure straps, padding and pockets for music. Consider the weight factor, avoid folk harps over 30# and aim for 25# or less. Consider the size of your vehicle. Can it be modified to a harp-mobile?
Where can I obtain music and tutorials for the harp?
There’s lots of wonderful music in all genres for the folk harp now, plus a huge variety of tutorials, teaching CDs and videos.
You’ll find sheet music at:
westcoastharps.com - Sheet Music Exercises
celticharpsheetmusic.com - Sheet Music
What’s the best wood for harps to be made from?
There’s no best but there is lots of debate. The real test is the sound, appearance and durability of the harp. Soundboards are often made from Sitka Spruce or Spanish Cedar or from laminated birch with the harp body in timber, stained or natural and the neck and pillar in a matching or similar timber or ply.
What’s the best wood for harp soundboards to be made from?
In the best of all worlds a finely crafted sitka spruce soundboard with a tight grain, single cross ply construction and custom tuning to the specific harp can give the optimal sound. In the real world, tight grain sitka spruce is very expensive and hard to locate while custom tuning soundboards is both esoteric and time consuming. Many harpmakers laminate the single ply with a thin veneer for more stabilty. We find for many of the lower to medium cost harps that the birch laminate soundboards sound as well as sitka spruce version while remaining more durable in the Central Canadian climate.
Where can I purchase replacement strings?
Here’s the page on our website that links to harp string retailers. West Coast Harps stock extra string sets for some of the models of harps we sell.
www.westcoastharps.com - Buying Strings
How often do strings have to be changed?
Some people change them every year. I change them when I hear a difference in the tone – usually every 3 to 4 years, more if the harp isn’t used a lot. Old strings lose their rich harmonics first and become “thinner” in sound. Putting new strings on a harp is like having a new instrument. Be sure to only put on the strings recommended for your make and model of harp or you can damage the instrument.
Do I need a teacher or can I teach myself?
Mentors and guides are essential for establishing good technique and trouble-free movement particularly in the early stages of learning to play the harp. Self-teaching is crucial as well through your own observations, practice, modifications & application. A good teacher will guide, support, encourage and motivate their students to explore their own paths in music but with the fundamentals firmly in place so as to not cause injury or limit playing ability later on.
Where can I find a harp teacher or others who play the harp?
You may wish to to correspond with other harpists on our Canadian Harp Teacher Directory at HarpTeacher.ca.
You will find harpist email groups and social networks at CelticHarp.ca.
Is it easier to learn the harp if I have previous musical experience? No guarantees, but usually yes for the following reasons:
I have no musical training. Can I still learn to play the harp?
Yes! However your enjoyment hinges on your expectations. Enjoy the process – treat practice as a meditation – don’t force it but schedule it into the optimal part of your day, not as an afterthought. Treat it as time for yourself, not another “should” and you will likely find joy & fulfillment irregardless of your playing level. Follow what motivates you – play with others – play for others – play for yourself – play for your cat – play outdoors – experiment – doodle – take a lesson – listen to music whatever works. Your motivation and passion is a precious flame – feed it, don’t force it or smother it.
What other purchases are needed to learn the harp more easily?
Cost depends on the size, make, quality, features and accessories of the harp you are buying. West Coast Harps prices range from a 26-string, no levers lap harp (Harpsicle package) to the 36-string professional model Dusty Strings FH36S package. It’s important to do your research first, try as many harps as you can, examine what you are going to use the harp for and if possible, rent one for a while before making the plunge.
What’s the best harp for a beginning Adult or Child?
The best harp is one you like the sound & look of (they don’t all sound the same!), one that is physically comfortable to play, one that you can transport easily and one within your budget! Again, try before you buy, and compare features of various instruments to see which best suit your needs. Don’t settle for a poor sounding harp as it will de-motivate you from practicing and thus improving.
Do I need to have levers on my harp? How many?
Levers on folk harps enable you to play in different keys. A full set of levers will enable you to play in 8 major keys and their related minors as well as use many accidentals. If you can’t afford the full set of levers, a good compromise is 2 levers per octave (F & C strings), or even better, 3 levers per octave (B, F & C strings) but arrange with the harp-maker or retailer that you can add the remaining levers later if you wish. Teachers often rent harps with no levers to beginners as the levers aren’t required to learn most technique and the harp is less expensive to purchase and maintain.
How long will harps last? Do they appreciate in value?
I recommend purchasing harps from experienced luthiers as they are familiar with the stresses on the instrument and construct them for the best tone and strength. A folk harp should last decades if protected from temperature and humidity extremes, falls and grasping 2-year-olds! Used harps, unless they are obsolete antiques, if well-maintained will usually appreciate as the price of comparable new harps rises.
How often does a harp need to be tuned?
Every time you play it and twice on Sundays! Initially, as the strings are stretching and the soundboard is lifting slightly, harps will need frequent tuning. After a few weeks or months they stabilize but still require regular tuning for the best sound. Regard tuning as the ear training part of your practice – as valuable development time.
What do I need to tune a harp?
A reliable electronic tuner is recommended plus of course your harp key. Tune your harp with the levers disengaged (ie. with “open strings”) in the key that your harp-maker recommends (usually E flat).
Do harps require much maintenance?
The Basics:
- Protection from temperature & humidity extremes and accidental knock-overs.
- Occasional dusting with a dry, clean cloth or one slightly damp (no chemicals).
- Regulation of levers may be required after 1 + years of playing (that said, I’ve yet to regulate mine!).
- Occasional string buzzes may need to be diagnosed and corrected.
- Changing of strings every 1 to 4 years depending on use & decay of strings.
- One of my harps I do wax as they harpmaker recommends it – other models I specifically do NOT – check with your harpmaker and/or teacher.
How easy is a harp to move around?
If you plan on participating in harp circles, traveling with your harp, gigging or simply sharing your music with friends and family keep in mind the portability of your harp. Have a case for your instrument with secure straps, padding and pockets for music. Consider the weight factor, avoid folk harps over 30# and aim for 25# or less. Consider the size of your vehicle. Can it be modified to a harp-mobile?
Where can I obtain music and tutorials for the harp?
There’s lots of wonderful music in all genres for the folk harp now, plus a huge variety of tutorials, teaching CDs and videos.
You’ll find sheet music at:
westcoastharps.com - Sheet Music Exercises
celticharpsheetmusic.com - Sheet Music
What’s the best wood for harps to be made from?
There’s no best but there is lots of debate. The real test is the sound, appearance and durability of the harp. Soundboards are often made from Sitka Spruce or Spanish Cedar or from laminated birch with the harp body in timber, stained or natural and the neck and pillar in a matching or similar timber or ply.
What’s the best wood for harp soundboards to be made from?
In the best of all worlds a finely crafted sitka spruce soundboard with a tight grain, single cross ply construction and custom tuning to the specific harp can give the optimal sound. In the real world, tight grain sitka spruce is very expensive and hard to locate while custom tuning soundboards is both esoteric and time consuming. Many harpmakers laminate the single ply with a thin veneer for more stabilty. We find for many of the lower to medium cost harps that the birch laminate soundboards sound as well as sitka spruce version while remaining more durable in the Central Canadian climate.
Where can I purchase replacement strings?
Here’s the page on our website that links to harp string retailers. West Coast Harps stock extra string sets for some of the models of harps we sell.
www.westcoastharps.com - Buying Strings
How often do strings have to be changed?
Some people change them every year. I change them when I hear a difference in the tone – usually every 3 to 4 years, more if the harp isn’t used a lot. Old strings lose their rich harmonics first and become “thinner” in sound. Putting new strings on a harp is like having a new instrument. Be sure to only put on the strings recommended for your make and model of harp or you can damage the instrument.
Do I need a teacher or can I teach myself?
Mentors and guides are essential for establishing good technique and trouble-free movement particularly in the early stages of learning to play the harp. Self-teaching is crucial as well through your own observations, practice, modifications & application. A good teacher will guide, support, encourage and motivate their students to explore their own paths in music but with the fundamentals firmly in place so as to not cause injury or limit playing ability later on.
Where can I find a harp teacher or others who play the harp?
You may wish to to correspond with other harpists on our Canadian Harp Teacher Directory at HarpTeacher.ca.
You will find harpist email groups and social networks at CelticHarp.ca.
Is it easier to learn the harp if I have previous musical experience? No guarantees, but usually yes for the following reasons:
- You are familiar with the nature of practice.
- You have reasonable expectations of the results of practice.
- You may already read music and understand some level of music theory.
- You may have increased coordination in your hands and fingers (muscle memory)
- You may have more experience in ear training, pitch and interval recognition etc.
I have no musical training. Can I still learn to play the harp?
Yes! However your enjoyment hinges on your expectations. Enjoy the process – treat practice as a meditation – don’t force it but schedule it into the optimal part of your day, not as an afterthought. Treat it as time for yourself, not another “should” and you will likely find joy & fulfillment irregardless of your playing level. Follow what motivates you – play with others – play for others – play for yourself – play for your cat – play outdoors – experiment – doodle – take a lesson – listen to music whatever works. Your motivation and passion is a precious flame – feed it, don’t force it or smother it.
What other purchases are needed to learn the harp more easily?
- Harp case for ease in transporting the harp
- Foldable music stand
- Electronic tuner
- Spare string set
- Stool or chair with correct height & support for harp play
- Recordings and music to inspire and refresh you!