Hi

This is my first post as a beginner learning to play the harp. wondered if anyone can offer advice on buying a pedal harp, probably second hand, I realise different makes would be a personal preference, but I would appreciate any views, likes dislikes etc.

I assume you are in the UK? Do you know where to find the for sale listings? I recommend reading 'On Buying a Harp' at http://www.hbryan.com/

1) There are occasional too good to be true pedal harps on Ebay. These are scams, often with pictures borrowed from elsewhere on the web...

2) Modern harps and antiques (Erards and other gothic or grecian models) are rather different from each other. Buying an unplayable harp in need of repair requires great care and expert knowledge as seemingly identical looking harps can vary greatly in restorability, and it is never cheap. Playable antiques vary too and while many are great for learning on (I had many years of lessons on Gothic Erards) they are less sturdy and do require more care. Many won't have the volume for a full orchestra, if that is a concern.

3) Your first pedal harp need not be your last. As your playing improves, your taste in harps will probably change. It often takes months to sell a harp, but used harps keep their value well. I moved from Pilgrim Progress (ran out of strings around grade 7) to Salvi Orchestra (ran out of volume for orchestral work) to L&H 85CG. Remembering the harps I liked when I had been playing a few months (twangy, easy to play things) I am very glad I didn't choose a final harp then!

4) Ask the seller for the serial number of the harp and who last serviced it. The original sellers and servicers are all lovely people and very happy to confirm they know the instrument and its age.

5) Visiting harp show rooms is very educational and can help you decide what you want in a harp by seeing different harps all together and talking with the experts at matching harp to player. Or see multitudinous harps at a festival.

6) Models: Russian made Cecilias (by the Lunacharski factory, usually with an Elysian sticker as Morley's imported them) are variable quality and need extra care in checking them out for warping necks etc. Some people like Aoyamas in which case the price is very attractive, other people (myself included) just don't get on with them. Other makes also divide opinions, but it seems to be to a lesser extent. I would advise making sure you try more than one make before you buy any harp so you know if you have strong feelings in any direction. Having said that there are several reasonably priced Salvi Orchestras on one of the lists at the moment www.musicalinstrumentsales.com

7) Count on a used harp needing a service and some new strings (base wires probably) £250 -£400 depending.

8) If you are in the state school system remember harps are classed as portable instruments and qualify for the VAT scheme so used prices may be less attractive.

Good luck!

Thanks for your thoughts.

I'm fascinated by the harp. I went to a concert once and I was so amazed I don't think my mouth was shut all night!

Pipsqueak,
Try contacting Pilgrim Harps. They hire out pedal harps might help you better decide about purchasing a suitable harp.

Pipsqueak, you don't say where you are based, but a good place to try out harps is either a festival (there's one in Caernarfon in April, last year it was sponsored by Camac harps and they had 40-odd harps in one room!) or the National Eisteddfodau (either the Urdd one in May/June halfterm - this year it's in Carmarthenshire, or the main one in August - this year it's near Mold in North Wales).

At the Eisteddfodau we always have to go to the harp stands as 14 yr old daughter really wanted to play one all along but it wasn't offered in primary school. She started lessons in Sept 2004 and after only 30 lessons of 15 mins passed grade one with distinction in July 2005. Last July she again got a distinction, this time in grade 3 (she skipped grade 2) again only having the lessons in school. This school year she has also been having private lessons with the lady who teaches her in school and she is about to take grade 4 at the end of March. This progress wouldn't have been possible without having a harp at home to practise on. She had the opportunity to rent an Erard (Grecian I think, it's got 43 strings) from Girlguiding Cymru which is about to go back, and she currently has a Salvi Daphne 40 which is only a few years old, again on rental. These two are very different in character, weight and volume, with the Salvi being much heavier and much louder.

Also bear in mind that you need a largish car to transport a harp - hubby refused point blank to ever drive a Volvo, but most of the harpists round here use them. We actually measured out the load space of our Fiat Multipla in the showroom, with rear seats removed and the front passenger seat pushed forwards, before buying - just to ensure that we could fit the harp in!!

The harp stands at the Eisteddfodau are really brilliant and helpful with knowledgeable staff who are always willing to let anyone have a "tinkle".

Best of luck with whichever one you eventually plump for and have a wonderful time playing an instrument that it is very difficult to make sound complete rubbish!!

Or you could go to the Edinburgh International Harp Festival this April. I will definately be there!
Good luck with buying a pedal harp, you will need to try out loads before you finally settle on one.

Thanks everyone for your replies, I now have plenty of food for thought!
I live in Dorset so getting to Wales would not be too difficult, that will be a date for my diary, meanwhile I just need to get to grips with theory(grade 1)

If you want to see a great deal of harps then you may wish to come to Cardiff in June! One event at the new Cardiff Millenium Centre (you know, the one featured in Torchwood) is a 100 harp orchestra, playing free in the foyer!

Here is some info for you:

http://www.europeanharpsymposium.eu/

Also, Catrin Finch is playing in St Davids Hall on 25th April, and there are still tickets available:

http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/Engli...ail.asp?ID=1495


I too am a learner, but luckily living in Cardiff during a massive explosion in interest in the instrument here.