i really need to find a 2nd hand harp in ireland that wont break the bank! ive wanted to play since i was eight but my parents were reluctant to buy me a harp in case i found out that i didnt really like it!which theyve feared before on the occasions of other instruments but it has never turned out to be true!
can anyone help!
Be aware that harps have a life span - there is so much string tension that they tend to "roll-up"
Good luck, and let me know what you end up getting !
Where are you located? Do you have a teacher, or do you know any? They may be able to help you locate a used harp or a rental harp, while you save up for something you can't afford now (or convince your parents to buy you one). If you have an opportunity to attend a harp conference, workshop or festival, do so, even without an instrument. You'll have an opportunity to try out all sorts of harps and to get advice from their owners. Harpists *love* to talk about harps. I can recommend a number of these events in North America, but I'd have to do some research to locate them elsewhere.
I've not sure what Braveheart is referring to, unless it's those cheap Pakistani made harp-shaped objects. Don't buy one, no matter how attractive the price. I've never heard the phrase "roll-up" but it's a good way to describe the bending and collapsing under the string tension that these are prone to. (And yes, I know that every once in a while someone buys one of these things that does work properly, but for most people, particularly beginners, it's too much of a cr*p shoot.)
My oldest celtic harp is about 40 years old, bought used and still playable, but I don't perform on it because it doesn't have levers. My primary performing harp is over 30 years old. I also got it used, so I don't know how old exactly, but they stopped making the model about 30 years ago. There are Clark harps out there still being performed on that are near 100 years old.
See what I mean about harpists loving to talk about harps! Feel free to click on my name and e-mail me. Good luck on your harp quest.
The new Dusty Strings Ravenna 26-string harp is also a good one to start with. It is designed as a starter harp by people who know what they're doing. With full levers it's under $1000 US, with C & F levers, $745, and $595 with no levers. Get the levers, at the very least the Cs and Fs. They also come in a 34 string model. They seem to be quite a bit more in the UK, if that's where you are. No affiliation with the company, I'm just familiar with their instruments.
Try posting a notice to www.reigningharps.com, the on line newsletter for harp players in the US northwest and beyond. Also, just browsing the used harps listed and checking the websites of the builders will help. Dusty Strings builds excellent harps, as does Stoney End, Triplett, Caswell, Blevins...etc. But a locally made harp may best...much cheaper to ship, builder to talk to if something goes awry. Find harp societies or groups, ideally with newsletters listing used instruments...and good luck!
harp!!!
harp!!!
i really need to find a 2nd hand harp in ireland that wont break the bank! ive wanted to play since i was eight but my parents were reluctant to buy me a harp in case i found out that i didnt really like it!which theyve feared before on the occasions of other instruments but it has never turned out to be true!
can anyone help!
# Posted on July 9th 2007 by craicagusceol
Re: harp!!!
I know a bloke in Belfast who made harps for school children, £300. Mind you a local shop bought a few of him, and had them in the shop for £1,200.
# Posted on July 9th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: harp!!!
Be aware that harps have a life span - there is so much string tension that they tend to "roll-up"
Good luck, and let me know what you end up getting !
# Posted on July 9th 2007 by b0dhran
Re: harp!!!
Where are you located? Do you have a teacher, or do you know any? They may be able to help you locate a used harp or a rental harp, while you save up for something you can't afford now (or convince your parents to buy you one). If you have an opportunity to attend a harp conference, workshop or festival, do so, even without an instrument. You'll have an opportunity to try out all sorts of harps and to get advice from their owners. Harpists *love* to talk about harps. I can recommend a number of these events in North America, but I'd have to do some research to locate them elsewhere.
I've not sure what Braveheart is referring to, unless it's those cheap Pakistani made harp-shaped objects. Don't buy one, no matter how attractive the price. I've never heard the phrase "roll-up" but it's a good way to describe the bending and collapsing under the string tension that these are prone to. (And yes, I know that every once in a while someone buys one of these things that does work properly, but for most people, particularly beginners, it's too much of a cr*p shoot.)
My oldest celtic harp is about 40 years old, bought used and still playable, but I don't perform on it because it doesn't have levers. My primary performing harp is over 30 years old. I also got it used, so I don't know how old exactly, but they stopped making the model about 30 years ago. There are Clark harps out there still being performed on that are near 100 years old.
See what I mean about harpists loving to talk about harps! Feel free to click on my name and e-mail me. Good luck on your harp quest.
# Posted on July 9th 2007 by Tracie
Re: harp!!!
A 26-string Dusty Strings student model goes for about $1000 USD with F and C levers. . . that's a good bet for a starter harp.
# Posted on July 9th 2007 by wormdiet
Re: harp!!!
The new Dusty Strings Ravenna 26-string harp is also a good one to start with. It is designed as a starter harp by people who know what they're doing. With full levers it's under $1000 US, with C & F levers, $745, and $595 with no levers. Get the levers, at the very least the Cs and Fs. They also come in a 34 string model. They seem to be quite a bit more in the UK, if that's where you are. No affiliation with the company, I'm just familiar with their instruments.
The Ravenna 26 string model in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFV8gHFvQ4M&mode=related&search=
And the 34 string:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGCtSoeTw08
Wherever you live, it will be useful to join the Yahoo harp group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Harplist/
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Tracie
Re: harp!!!
If you want to come to the dark side... to the REAL harp... *wink wink*
http://www.irishharp.org/shop/studenttrinity.htm
Once you go wire there is no turning back. BWahahhah...
Robert Mouland
www.wireharp.com
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by WireHarp
Re: harp!!!
just like to point out im in the west of ireland in mayo!!!!!!!
# Posted on July 12th 2007 by craicagusceol
Re: harp!!!
Try posting a notice to www.reigningharps.com, the on line newsletter for harp players in the US northwest and beyond. Also, just browsing the used harps listed and checking the websites of the builders will help. Dusty Strings builds excellent harps, as does Stoney End, Triplett, Caswell, Blevins...etc. But a locally made harp may best...much cheaper to ship, builder to talk to if something goes awry. Find harp societies or groups, ideally with newsletters listing used instruments...and good luck!
# Posted on July 22nd 2007 by khandro