It’s not easy to pick a beginner’s harp. The prices vary greatly, and many newcomers are unsure of what to look for in terms of size and type. If you’re having trouble choosing a beginner’s harp, seek professional advice, set a budget, and experiment with different types of harps. You should also select the appropriate harp type for the music you want to play, as well as the appropriate size and condition of the harp.
Beginners frequently choose a harp based on its appearance, price, or because the type of harp is played by a well-known musician. Choosing a beginner’s harp based on these criteria usually results in poor purchases. Instead, go shopping with a harpist or harper who knows what they’re doing. You can also seek advice from harp experts at a store that specializes in the instrument. When seeking advice from a store’s staff, tell them about your favorite harp music and the types of songs you want to learn, and they will be able to assist you in making the best decision.
The price of a harp varies greatly, and a beginner’s harp can easily cost a lot of money. Set a budget for the purchase before you go out and buy a harp, so you don’t go overboard. Furthermore, you should avoid buying the cheapest harps because they may be poorly constructed and have trouble staying in tune. If you can’t afford a harp, rent one until you can save up enough money to buy a good one.
Each harp is designed to produce a specific sound. The tone it produces is determined by the wood it is made of, its size, the number of strings it holds, and the type of strings it was designed for. Pedal harps with concert gut strings, for example, are commonly used by classical orchestras, whereas the lever harp is more commonly associated with folk and other types of music. Consider how the tone of the harp affects your ability to play the types of music you enjoy when purchasing a beginner’s harp.
You should be able to enjoy the sound of the beginner’s harp you buy. Visit a harp store and try out a variety of models and types, such as pedal harps, lap harps, and lever harps. Because the sound you hear while playing differs from the sound heard by the audience, have a store employee play for you so you can listen to the harp from afar. If you’re having trouble deciding on a harp, try renting a few different types before making a final decision.
The size of a harp influences how easy or difficult it is to play for people of various body types. If you buy a harp that is too big, you may have trouble reaching all of the strings and maintaining proper posture while playing, resulting in pain and frustration. A lap harp, lever harp, or pedal harp with 42-44 strings may be easier for children and small adults to learn on. Check for evenly spaced strings and strings that aren’t spaced too widely or narrowly when buying a harp of any size. You might have trouble plucking the correct strings if the spacing is too wide or narrow.
Examine the physical condition of the harp before purchasing it. Examine the wood for warping, cracks, and moving tuning pins after they’ve been tuned. Harps with any of these flaws should be avoided at all costs. These harps are likely to break and will not stay in tune. To ensure that you’re getting a long-lasting beginner’s harp, buy a harp that you’ve played and inspected.