Harp Lessons
I offer beginning to intermediate level instruction on the traditional, or lever, harp.
The harp is actually not that difficult to learn to play. If this is going to be the first musical instrument you've ever played, you will find the harp to be very friendly. People with a piano background find it to be much like the piano. Guitar players find there is no fretting of the strings or awkward hand positions, and the technique is much simpler. The beauty of the harp is that the music can be as simple or as complex you want - either way, the harp sounds lovely.
My aim is to help the student become familiar with basic, practical technique - the focus is on getting around on the harp in the most efficient way possible for you, without compromising the health of your body. Students of all ages and musical experience are welcome. Some previous musical experience is an advantage, but not absolutely necessary. Lessons may be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 1 hour in length. Fees vary according to length of lesson.Weekly lessons are recommended, especially for beginning students, but I will do my best to work with your schedule if weekly lessons are not possible for you.
Students should have access to a harp for practice on their own. It's usually a good idea to rent a harp at first, until you are certain you will want to continue playing, as a harp is a fairly large purchase. Floor model lever harps with at least 34 strings start at around $2000 and go up from there. Smaller harps (sometimes called lap or travel harps) currently begin around $300 (for a lap harp with no levers) and go up through $700 and $800 (for 22 to 23 string harps) and $1000 and over (for slightly larger harps). Although it is quite possible to learn to play on nearly any size harp, in general it is somewhat easier to learn on a larger floor harp with, say, 30 or 32 or 34, (etc.) strings. I do not at this time have any rental harps, but I can direct you to people in the area who do.
Suitable beginning book(s) will be recommended to students. I am very flexible as to what sort of music you would like to learn, once we get past the basics. However, keep in mind that I specialize in Celtic, sacred, and medieval/renaissance music, and may not be able to help you as much as necessary as you advance, if you prefer classical, jazz or other styles of music. Should this happen I can recommend another teacher who can help you continue to learn. In addition to performance and instruction, I also write and arrange music, so I can help you adapt tunes and songs to your abilities as lessons progress.
Emphasis is placed on relaxation, confidence, and enjoyment of the music.
Contact me at HarpAndSong@aol.com
Teaching a beginning harp workshop at the 2007 National Trail Dulcimer Festival, Springfield OH.
All content these pages © 2002 - 2007 ~ Mary K. Lloyd, Songsmith Arts