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Serving the Harp World Since 1817
   
 
 
     
 
 

Beginners' Guide

New to the Harp?


Help Awaits You in Our Beginners’ Section.


We understand that budding harpists - or their parents - have a lot of questions about the harp. How do I choose the right one? What do all those levers and pedals do? How do I get it in tune? How do I play it? To help, we have packed this section with articles, advice and resources especially for those who are new to the harp.

Learning the harp

Choosing Your Harp
Initial advice to help you with acquiring your first harp.

What Type of Harp is Right for Me?

What Should I Look For When Choosing a Harp?

Harp Tuning

How are Harps Tuned?
Identifies string names and how semi-tones are achieved on the lever and pedal harp.

Lever Positions for the Three Main Tunings
How to set your levers to play in the key you need, when your harp is tuned in C, E Flat or A Flat.

How to Tune Using an Electronic Tuner

How to Tune By Ear in Octaves

Equal Temperament
Explains why your harp is meant to be ever so slightly out of tune.


Harp Strings
Everything you ever wanted to know about Harp Strings.

Harp String Compass in a Nutshell
Quickly helps you to decode what those string compass shorthands mean.

How to Identify Harp Strings
An in-depth look at string terminology and how to order the string that you want.

All About String Spacing and Tension

How to Change a Harp String
Every harpist is going to need to be able to change a string. Follow our step-by-step instructions for re-stringing without tears!

String Breakage
Harp strings break – often for no apparent reason. Find out how to reduce string breakage and whether or not a regularly broken string should be a cause for concern.

Stringing Scales
Find out how to measure the thickness of your harp strings to be certain that you are using the correct replacement string.

Music Theory For Harpists

Learning the Harp

Is the Harp Hard to Play?

Can I Teach Myself?
A few words about learning the harp, if you are considering teaching yourself.

Find a Harp Teacher
How to get the contact details of a local harp teacher.

I Can’t Find a Teacher – What Shall I Do?

Introductory Harp Workshops
You are welcome to join us at one of our monthly Hands on the Harp sessions. These basic workshops are held at our showrooms and are designed to offer you an informative, but fun introduction to the harp.

Further Information

See our main Resources section for more articles on all aspects of harp playing.