Learning to play the harp for beginners - what you should know
You've just made the decision to learn to play the harp and now you naturally have a few questions on your mind. This is completely normal and you are definitely not alone. We would like to use this article to answer the most important questions.
What kind of instrument is the harp?
Like the violin, the harp is a stringed instrument, but unlike this popular instrument, the harp is a plucked instrument. The basic difference between plucked instruments is the arrangement of the strings on the string carrier. Here you will find harps, zithers and lutes. The harp occupies a special position, as it is a composite stringed instrument with the strings perpendicular to the soundboard. In general, the harp looks back on a very long history. The first illustrations of harps date back to 3000 BC - people were already playing harps in Mesopotamia and Egypt, although these very old instruments had a very different design to the modern harps we know today.
How is the harp constructed?
The harp column is the backbone of the instrument. The head at the top of this column can be ornately decorated. The end of the column also forms the foot. The neck of the instrument leads to the knee as a connection and then runs diagonally downwards over the body, which in turn ends in the foot as a resonating body.
The upper part of the soundbox is also the soundboard, which contains the holes for the strings. This soundboard is often reinforced with a strip (inside or outside) at the string holes. Depending on the type of harp, there is a mechanism, but all harps have the tuning pegs on the neck.
What harps are there?
Harps are primarily differentiated according to their type of construction, while other instruments are distinguished more by their pitches. Pedal harps, as the name suggests, have pedal rods in the pillar or body and these rods are then connected to the pedals in the foot.
Very simple harps only play one note on each string. Even the hook harp offers you the option of using a hook, also known as a semitone key, to tune the strings a semitone higher as required. This is also possible with the pedal harp, but here the pedal raises all notes of the same name on the harp by a semitone. If it is a double pedal harp, you can raise the tone of the string by a further semitone.
The term "concert harp" always refers to a double-pedal harp that is tuned in C flat major and with which you can play all keys. In contrast, there are also folk harps, also known as Tyrolean folk harps. This single-pedal harp is tuned in E flat major and can be used to play keys up to 3 B flat and 4 sharps, including C major.
From a historical point of view, the pedal harp as we know it today developed first. No wonder, since the mechanism as it is used today consists of up to 2500 components. In the early days of this technology, the hooks had to be operated manually. It was only later that the hooks were connected to the pedals at the bottom of the harp using pull cords. This enables the player to produce the semitone by pressing the pedal. As you can imagine, it takes some practice to always press the pedal at the right time. The forerunner of this technique existed in the mid to late 18th century. These were so-called drawbars - mechanical hooks that pressed the strings across a bridge attached to the neck.
The modern concert harp was introduced at the end of the 18th century. It enables the harpist to operate a forked disk mechanism. This is a rotating disk with an axle that stands at right angles to the neck and carries small pins that are positioned between the strings. When you press the pedal, the disk rotates and the two pins function like the finger on the violin string. They press the string, which sounds half a tone higher as a result of this shortening.
In addition to these well-known diatonically tuned harps, there are also chromatically tuned harps. However, the concert harp is the most widespread. If you are unsure, ask a teacher who can give you good advice based on their experience.
How is the harp played?
Most harpists sit on a small stool to play the harp. The harp is then leaned against the body at an angle, but without putting any weight on the shoulder. Due to its design, the harp's center of gravity is in the lower part of the harp. You are sitting and holding the harp correctly if you can really move your arms and hands freely and can play all the strings with the length of your arms.
Do you need additional equipment?
Apart from the obligatory care products to remove skin grease from the strings and keep the wood shiny, you only need protection to be able to transport the harp. However, harps are rarely transported due to their heavy weight and dimensions as well as the sensitivity of the instrument - the strings are, after all, virtually unprotected - and then you also need a sufficiently large vehicle. With a height of 175 to 190 centimetres and a weight of between 34 and 42 kilograms, the concert harp is one of the largest and heaviest orchestral instruments for good reason. You also need a stool that is ideally height-adjustable. This allows you to sit at different heights depending on how you feel. You will also need a tuner.
From what age can my child learn to play the harp?
Most harp teachers recommend starting at the age of 5 or 6 so that children can concentrate on the lessons and the rather complex sequences. Children of this age can also concentrate well on the lessons and practicing. There are special children's harps, which are smaller and usually designed as hook harps. In general, it is also possible to let your child learn on a folk harp. If in doubt, ask the teacher which instrument you should choose.
Can I still learn to play the harp as an adult - perhaps even in retirement?
Most teachers say with complete conviction that you are never too old to learn to play an instrument. Of course, this rule also applies to the harp. As long as you can sit for a while and concentrate, if you have an open mind and enjoy learning, you can learn to play this wonderful instrument.
How much does a harp cost?
Good new harps cost in the mid five-figure range. You should factor in between CHF 30,000 and a good CHF 50,000. But then you will also have a concert harp that you will enjoy for a long time. So-called entry-level models actually start at CHF 2000. You can only find something below that in the second-hand sector.
Do I have to buy a harp straight away?
We have very good news on this question: Of course, you don't have to buy a harp right from the start. On the contrary: to get a feel for teaching and playing, for the instrument and the sound, there are good providers from whom you can rent a solid harp. The good thing about this is that you don't have to decide to spend such a large sum straight away. What's more, you can first familiarize yourself with the world of harps and then buy a good instrument. If you later decide to stick with the harp as your instrument, part of the rent you paid will be credited towards the purchase price and, on balance, you won't have lost any money.
Where can you buy a harp?
There are various ways to buy a harp.
Instrument retailers: You can get really good instruments in classical music shops or from harp makers. Here you can also sit down with the harp you have chosen and try it out - an advantage you should definitely take advantage of.
Internet: There are now also great offers on the internet. Here you usually have a certain trial period during which you can still decide against the instrument. Use this time to try out the harp. Does it meet your expectations? If necessary, try it out with your teacher.
Second-hand market: If someone decides against the harp after all or from a household clearance, you could also get a good second-hand harp. But to be on the safe side, find out why the harp is being sold.
Is it difficult to learn to play the harp?
Admittedly, it always looks quite complicated when harpists play. But let's face it: you learn how to play the harp step by step and are slowly introduced to the instrument. So learning to play the harp is not inherently more difficult than any other instrument.
Do you still have questions?
We hope this article has given you a good overview of how to learn to play the harp. However, if you have any further questions that have not been answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us or a teacher. We will be happy to advise you. We look forward to hearing from you.
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