HARP DEPARTMENT
Private Harp Lesson Program
From the initial moment you learn to pluck a harp’s string, it will sound beautiful. For many other instruments (violin, for instance) it may take years to develop a pleasing tone. With the harp, you will often have more immediate results. Having said this, the harp is no more easier or difficult to learn than any other instrument. The rate at which you will progress heavily depend on how much time and effort you put into practicing regularly and your willingness to learn and advance. Harp students will explore areas of technique, musicality, and repertoire and gain knowledge in music theory through one-on-one private instructions.
What student age is appropriate to start harp lessons?
Just about any age is good to start with harp lessons. We have students ranging from 5 years old through senior citizens. Previous musical knowledge, although highly beneficial for starting any new instrument, is not compulsory in order to start harp lessons. However, for very young children, we recommend that they already know or are already in the process of learning how to read and count before beginning lessons, since both are involved in harp music. Much like the piano, the harp can be a wonderful first musical instrument.
Recommended session duration:
Children: 30 minutes; Youth, Teenage, and Adult: 45/60 minutes
What type of harp should I purchase/rent?
There are different kind of harps for example Lever (Folk or Celtic) harps, pedal harps, Ethnic Harps (Paraguayan, Chinese), and Cross Strung and Double Harps.
The kind of harp that you should learn depends on your future goals for the kind of music that you would like to play, and your size/age. For children and beginners, we recommend starting on a Lever Harp because it is smaller and easier for children to play. Lever harps are not as expensive as Pedal harps, so they can decide if they really like it before investing a lot of money. If you want to play mainly classical music, have aspirations to be in an orchestra, or to major in Harp at an University or College, you will probably need a Pedal Harp.
Is it possible to rent a harp for lessons?
Sometimes people strongly interested in learning to play the harp shy away from enrolling in lessons because they feel they cannot afford to invest in the instrument. Renting, or renting to own, provides an opportunity for students to try harp lessons at a fraction of the cost of purchase. Some companies have a rent to own program, and some even just rent harps. Many private harp owners also rent out some of their harps to students.
Here are the names of some harp companies in the Chicago Area with purchase, rental, or rent-to-own plans:
Lyon and Healy: Lever and Pedal Harps (Located in Chicago)
www.lyonhealy.com
Email: sales@lyonhealy.com
Phone: 312-786-1881
Venus: Pedal Harps (Located in Chicago)
www.venusharps.com
Email: wvenushp@mindspring.com
Phone: 773-278-4210, or 773-278-4238
Harps International: Pedal and Lever Harps, This company sells Camac, Triplett harps, and others (Located in Joliet) Ask for Patrick Dougal
www.harps-international.com
Email: prdharp@yahoo.com
Phone: 815-741-0665
Used Harp Links:
(Note: consult your teacher before purchasing)
www.harpmall.com (Under Classifieds)
www.harpcolumn.com (Under Classifieds)