Live Harp Music - Wedding Harpist, and Corporate Events. Sharron Griffiths Harpist, Scotland

SHARRON GRIFFITHS - HARPIST

HARP TUITION

HARP TUITION FOR ALL AGES AND STANDARDS, LEVER AND PEDAL HARP

Sharron is an experienced harp teacher, with a 20 year career spanning many different aspects of music, from classical to popular. Sharron teaches all ages and all levels of music literacy, from beginner to advanced, whether aiming for graded examinations or just for pleasure. Sharron boasts a 100& Pass rate with the Associated Board & Trinity College. She teaches both privately and has held the post of harp teacher for many Schools and College's including The Godolphin School, Haileybury College, The Latymer Saturday Music Centre and The Milton Keynes Music Service.

TUITION FEE’S 2008

30 minutes: £15:00

45 minutes: £22:50

1 hour: £30:00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HARP

There has never been a better time to learn to play the harp. The number of teachers is growing as is the amount of harp music and the number of harp societies and harp festivals.

Is the Harp difficult to learn to play?

No! The harp is one of the most encouraging instruments you could ever learn; for one thing you will make a beautiful sound from the beginning. You have to learn the hand positions to be comfortable playing; after that, whether you are learning to play 'by ear' or from music, you will build up your skill with practice.
The music looks like piano music (something for each hand to do). As with any instrument you will find it simple at first, and getting a bit more complicated as you progress. One of the most appealing aspects of the harp is that you set it into the key of the piece you wish to play. This is achieved by arranging either the 'semi-tone levers' on a non-pedal harp, or the pedals on a pedal harp.

So, as you play, you don't have to worry about flats and sharps to start with. The harp can be approached like any other instrument. Once you learn the hand positions for correct and comfortable playing you become more skilled with practice. In fact, unlike some instruments, the harp makes a beautiful sound from the very first steps of learning to play. Most important even the simplest of tunes sounds good on a harp, so you will have fun from the first, and be a pleasure for your family

Different Types of Harp

There are several options when it comes to finding a harp. As a beginner it may be best to hire a harp. You can then take your time about deciding what type of harp (and there are many) is best for you. Also, it is initially a smaller financial outlay than buying a harp.
You may decide to buy a harp. It is best to seek advice on this - from your teacher or from a harpist. Depending on the size of the harp, the decoration and the quality, the price of new harps can vary enormously - a bit like cars: from a 2-door hatchback all the way up to a Ferrari! So do consider your options very carefully. A second hand harp is one option - harps always keep their value (as long as they are carefully looked after) and with a second hand harp you know what sort of sound you are getting.

The Pedal Harp has 7 pedals around the base of the instrument and these are used to raise or lower each string by a semitone or half-note. If you think of the strings as the white notes of the piano then the pedals make the black notes. You can literally change key with your feet as you are playing the harp. Pedal harps come in various sizes depending on the number of strings-from 41 strings up to the Concert Grand Harp which has 47 strings.

The Non-pedal harp, also called the lever harp, the Celtic harp or the Clarsach is smaller and much more portable but are essentially the same as a pedal harp and can have between 20 and 40 strings. The sharps and flats or semitones are made with small levers at the top of the harp. These are ideal, because of their size and relatively light weight, for children starting to learn the harp and for adults too. These harps are used as trainers before going on to play a Concert Harp, but they are also instruments in their own right, and are used by professionals all over the world.

My child wants to play the harp. At what age can children start learning?

Depending on the child, some can start as young as 5 or 6. They can learn the basics of music through learning to play the harp. So start them on the harp as soon as they can physically manage the instrument. Most important is to keep it fun! There will be lots of hard work later if they are going to make it a career.

Starting with Harps

Firstly, You will need a HARP!

Hire a Harp
Most people hire a harp to begin with. In the early stages of the discovery of this fascinating instrument, the hire option provides an excellent opportunity to gauge which type of harp will suit you best.

Buy a Harp
Harps hold their value extremely well; So buy the best you can afford as soon as you can - ultimately, its the cheapest way.