How to Buy a Concert Harp

A concert harp, or pedal harp, has seven pedals controlled by the feet and is approximately six feet tall.

A concert or pedal harp is a large instrument typically used in orchestral works or for solo work. Due to its size, certain considerations must be made when you decide to purchase one for your home or professional use.

Things You'll Need

• Padded hand truck (see instructions below) Vehicle that can hold harp: station wagon or SUV/van with fold-down seats

Instructions

Moving and Outfitting Your Harp

1. If you do not have a hand truck specifically made for the harp, modify a small hand truck by attaching a block of wood with a U-shaped curve cut into it to the top portion of the truck. Cover the wood with carpet. This will cradle the harp as it sits in the hand truck.

2. Your vehicle must be capable of containing the harp. Bring your daily vehicle, or the one you will use most when playing harp, to the store to be sure it fits. If it doesn't, consider a smaller harp or larger vehicle.

3. If the store does not provide a cover for your harp, make one out of heavy cloth to protect it during transit and storage.

4. Start with at least three full sets of replacement strings, in wire, gut and nylon. Do not replace one type of string with a different type, as this will affect your sound.

5. Other accessories to have are tuning key (to adjust string tension), electric tuner, comfortable stool or straight-backed chair and music stand.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with universities or major orchestras; many have extra or older harps for sale at a discount.

• Remember that pedal harps are tuned with all the pedals up, in the key of C-flat major, instead of C like a piano. Do not tune using a concert-A tuning fork. Use the A-flat key on a piano or an adjustable electric tuner.

References

• Dr. Valerie von Pechy-Whitcup, harp instructor, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.