Buying a harp

[WhiteCrow]

I have set my heart on getting a harp but my finances are dire! I've never wanted to learn a musical instrument before so I am a complete beginner. I want to learn medieval / Celtic music and it will be purely for my ears only. But like I said, my finances are in a state. I can't even stretch to a harpsicle and don't want to go near the Pakistani rosewood harps. I've seen some lovely small harps on busy mole music and watched YouTube clips of them in action, but wondered if anyone here has experience with them? I'm checking ebay every day but so far everything has been either too expensive or too far away (I don't have transport).

[thebadpoet]

I've just started (literally just started - 1st lesson next week) learning to play harp from a friend of mine who conveniently happens to have two of them and agreed to loan me one. They are expensive and don't tend to suit a tight budget unfortunately (a few hundred quid) so I'd suggest looking into how you might be able to borrow one, perhaps from a local music group though you might not be able to take it home.

I recall that Damh covered buying a harp a few times on the Druidcast podcasts (can't remember specifically, something like episode 17 or 18?), but I can't remember the advice he gave.

[dream soul]

Hi, I've been playing clarsach (scottish harp) for about 12 or so years now, and can reccomend a couple places if you were in the U.K. The Clarsach Society have harps they rent out to members, and quite a few harp makers will rent out harps for a few months so you have tme to try them out and decide whether you want/can afford to buy. My harps are all from Ardival, based in Scotland, but Pilgrim harps and Clive Morley Harps also rent. I'm sure there are others that will as well, but those are ones I know and can reccomend.

Try searching in your area, and see what comes up. For America, Cynthia Cathcart has info. on her website, and is a good person to contact if you have any questions too.

Hope this helps.

Blessings

[LunarLiz]

Doubt if it will be of much use to those of limited finance, or those not in the area, but here's a link to my favourite harp makers & school anyways, it might be helpful to some folks here!

http://www.welsh-harps.com/product.php?cat=58

I was gifted one of those rosewood import jobbies a while back, the levers at the top for changing to sharps were useless, and needed changing straight off, the pegs were roughly cast and tended to cut the strings when tuning so we replaced them too, now the wood warps with the changes in humidity, and she breaks strings just sitting there... but I love her, none-the-less! Sadly just waiting for the day she pulls herself apart (it's going to happen, I know )

Hope to be able to replace her when she does with a better one!

Also hoping to find a tutor living closer, I've only had 2 lessons this year

Also hope those seeking a reasonably priced one have managed to purchase one, they are amazing!!!