How to Buy a Harp

For thousands of years, harps have brought joy to the human spirit. Because new harps are considered to be "green" and improve in sound and value as they age, you won't be able to buy a "used" harp for a bargain unless you stumble across an estate sale where the family is unaware of a harp's value.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Celtic Harps
• Harps
• Music Stands
• Sheet Music
• Chairs
• Ancient Realms: Solo Celtic Harp CD
• Blues Harp CD
• Favourite Harp Concertos CD
• Harp Music CDs
• Chairs

1. Decide what type of harp you are interested in purchasing. Harps range from simple lap harps to Celtic harps that are intermediate in size and extend all the way to the gilded, full-pedal harps that are used in concerts.

2. Decide on a price range that fits your personal budget. Lap harps can be purchased for under $100. The average Celtic harp costs about $4,000. Gilded, full-pedal concert harps will cost about $20,000.

3. Contact the American Harp Society, your best resource for finding your local harp society, harp stores, manufacturers, harpists, and teachers.

4. Seek out local, professional harpists. Many are also teachers and will normally have a variety of harps for lease or sale to students.

5. Rent one or, ideally, two harps before purchasing. Decide which one feels the best to you.

6. Check to see if your city has a harp store once you have decided which harp you want. A harp store will have a substantial inventory from which to choose. This gives you more options in price and style.

7. Contact harp manufacturers and schedule a trip to a manufacturer's facilities to look at its harps.

8. Use the Internet. Once you have researched the model that you want, this is a convenient way to purchase your harp.

Tips & Warnings

• The oldest known harp originated in ancient Egypt.
• Don't be in a hurry to buy a harp. Celtic and pedal harps require a substantial investment. Make sure that you have tried a variety of harps and that you find the style and sound that is most comfortable to you.

[paulakparker]

on 1/11/2008 I'm not sure when you wrote your article but, in 2008, even a small harp costs well more than $100 and the concert grand harps with the gold leaf are more than $20,000.