How to Get Started Playing the Harp

Playing the harp may be the single, most enjoyable thing that you ever do. The therapeutic benefit of the strings' vibrations has been proven to physically lower stress symptoms. Playing the harp relaxes you, provides entertainment for family and friends and gives you a creative outlet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Celtic Harps
• Harp Benches
• Harp Carts
• Harp Covers
• Harp Strings
• Harps
• Tuning Keys
• Tuning Pick-ups
• Electronic Tuner

1. Locate a harp school. The most inexpensive lessons will be offered at a college.

2. Meet and play with other beginning harp students. Fellow learners can provide many learning and playing tips.

3. Locate a private harp teacher and set up weekly lessons. Individual lessons with a private instructor are excellent, but quite costly.

4. Locate harp teachers through the American Harp Society's Teacher's Directory or through its local chapter phone numbers.

5. Purchase or rent instructional videotapes to learn independently or to supplement your lessons. Borrow tapes from the American Harp Society or your local harp society.

6. Make a personal commitment to attend your classes on a regular basis.

7. Purchase or lease a harp that matches your budget and personal comfort. Check with your harp teacher; many teachers have rental harps available at very reasonable rates.

8. Join the American Harp Society as well as your local harp society. Plan to attend the monthly meetings of your local chapter.

9. Set aside a place in your home to keep your harp that is out of the walking areas and away from windows - harps can easily tip over.

10. Schedule a time of day that you plan to practice your harp and incorporate this into your daily routine.

11. Practice, practice, and practice some more.

Tips & Warnings

• When you begin with a new teacher, advise him or her that you are just investigating lessons and that you plan to speak to several teachers. Don't commit yourself to one person in case you are uncomfortable with that teacher's style.
• Many public schools offer harp in their music programs. If you are fortunate enough to live in a city that offers this and would like your children to learn the harp, sign them up as soon as possible. Enrollment is usually limited.