Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are harps hard to play?
2. How old should I be to start?
3. What if I don’t read music?
4. Are there any teachers?
5. What size harp should I buy?
6. How should I care for and maintain my harp?
7. Troubleshooting techniques
8. Online imports?
1. Are harps hard to play?
It helps to have an encouraging teacher who can show you the right technique to get the most from your instrument. There are similarities between a harp and a keyboard in many ways.
2. How old should I be to start?
It depends on your expectations. If you just want to enjoy the challenge of achieving a new skill and the joy of playing for your own pleasure: start now. It's never too late.
If you want to play in a symphony orchestra and are no longer a teenager or younger, you are probably too late :)
3. What if I don’t read music?
Reading music and playing an instrument are two different skills. You can speak without being able to read, and you can play without being able to read music. In many countries there is no written music. A student 'sits at the feet' of the master musician and learns by observation, instruction and practice. Reading music opens the way to more music.
4. Are there any teachers?
Contact us for a list of teachers in your vicinity. Choose a teacher to match your dreams. A folk harp teacher won’t be able to bring you up to the standard of a concert performer. A concert harpist may not have the disposition to help you play by ear or show you how to play a few tunes to get by at the local pub. A balance of the two may be wonderful. Try different teachers, learn what you can from each.
5. What size harp should I buy?
As large as you can afford is one answer, and it depends on your lifestyle is another. If your budget isn’t large, a decent small harp can be a wonderful companion and open the way to the world of harp music. You may not want to change from that. A larger floor model harp has a larger richer voice and in some ways is easier to play. So it’s a balance of budget and lifestyle requirements. Ask to hear the various sizes played before you make your choice.
6. How should I care for and maintain my harp?
Don’t leave a harp in the hot sun as the glues will soften and cause timber movement to occur.
A space blanket can be a heat saver if you have to travel with your harp on a hot day.
Don’t leave it over a heating duct for the same reason.
Don’t leave it damp or in humid situations.
Do wipe it over periodically with a slightly damp rag and give it a polish with good antique wax if the timber is looking 'hungry'. A non-silicone spray such as 'Mr Sheen' can be a quick reviver.
Ask your harp maker for instructions on how to change strings and what gauge strings were used.
7. Troubleshooting techniques
Buzzing can be caused by a loose sharping lever, or a foreign object floating loose on the inside of the soundbox (sheet of music, scrap if timber, loose timber etc). Dead string sound can be caused by a partly engaged sharping lever or a string end touching another string. A dead string can be just that..dead! So try replacing it with another.
Don’t be afraid to give your harp maker a call if you have any problems. If he made it he can probably fix it or give good advice on how to fix it.
8. Online imports?
Do you realise that even if you purchase large items from overseas, in addition to shipping costs, you are liable for a 10% GST surcharge on items over AUD$1,000? In addition, there are often customs costs and your items may be quarantined, also at an additional cost to you. Parts may also be missing or broken. These are the realities of buying from overseas websites.
I recognise that people compare costs online. Therefore I have adjusted my prices to be completely competitive with overseas websites. Let me take the responsibility for getting your harp or harp set to you in optimal condition at a cheaper price than you can buy online overseas.