Buying A Harp - Questions to Guide You
How to Choose Your First Harp: A Simple Visual Guide
If you’ve fallen in love with the harp’s magical sound, you’re probably wondering how to find the perfect harp to start playing. Let’s break it down step-by-step!
1. What Size Harp Should You Get?
| Size | Strings | Who It’s For | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 25 - 27 | Beginners, kids, casual players | Portable, affordable, easy to carry and play on your lap |
| Medium | 34 - 36 | Adult beginners & intermediates | Versatile, good range, balanced size and sound |
| Large | 38 - 40 | Advanced players & pedal harp prep | Extended range, rich tone, powerful sound |
Example:
Salvi Juno 25/27 string – lightweight and perfect for beginners
Salvi Ana 40 string – great for advanced players with full range
2. Will You Be Moving Your Harp Around?
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Check if your car trunk can fit the harp
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Try lifting and carrying it yourself
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Look for harps with wheeled cases if you travel often
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Make sure the size matches your physical strength and transport options
3. Which Make Should You Pick?
Trusted harp makers that stand the test of time:
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Lyon & Healy
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Salvi
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Dusty Strings
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Camac
Tip: Try to hear the harp in person or via online demos — every brand has its own unique voice!
4. Gut Strings or Synthetic?
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Gut Strings: Warm, rich, traditional harp sound
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Synthetic Strings: Durable, stable, great for beginners and frequent players
Choose based on the sound and care that suits your style!
Quick Recap
| Question | What to Think About |
|---|---|
| Size | Small (25-27), Medium (34-36), or Large (38-40)? |
| Transport | Will you move it a lot? How easy is it to carry? |
| Brand | Tried and trusted makers? Do you like the sound? |
| Strings | Warm gut strings or easy-care synthetic strings? |
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If you too have fallen in love with the ethereal qualities and versatility of the harp, then you are probably gathering as much information as possible about how to purchase your first harp. We hope we can guide you in narrowing down the kind of harp that may suit you by considering the following questions:
What size of harp are you looking for? If you are playing the harp just for fun and are not looking to invest a great deal of money a 25 or 27 string harp may be adequate for your needs. Models such as the Salvi Juno 25 or 27 string harp offer a high quality, Italian harp whist keeping cost and size down and being easily transportable. This size of harp is perfect for a young beginner or an adult amateur – with its comfortable base it can be played as a lap harp, traditionally with feet or 20cm legs.
Whilst children may also start on this size of harp, teachers often recommend going for a harp that is 34 strings or above. 34 string harps are the most common sized harp for adult beginner learners as they are versatile and suitable for a wide range of musical styles and skill levels. Harps with this number of strings provide a good balance between size, portability, and musical range. A 36 string harp provides a similar harp playing experience with two extra strings in the treble to create a full five octaves from C1 to C5.
38 string and 40 string harps are for advanced or proficient harp players who are looking to play advanced harp repertoire or are preparing to make the transition to pedal harp. Spanning over five octaves, the 38 string harps offer two more strings in the bass and two more in the treble than your standard 34 string harp. Similarly, a 40-string harp such as the Salvi Ana adds two more strings on either end of the scale to span the 1st octave E to the 6th octave A.
Will I be keeping my harp at home or taking it each week to a lesson or ensemble?
If you are transporting your harp yourself, your physical ability and transport options, including the size of your car become important. Whilst some larger harps come with transport bags with wheels, most larger harps depend on a person able to lift them in and out the car. If you are seriously considering buying a particular harp try carrying it and checking the space in your car boot before you commit.
What make of harp should I look for? There are a few, notable brands of harp in the world including Lyon and Healy, Salvi, Dusty Strings and Camac. If you are looking to invest a few thousand and want a harp that will stand the test of time, it is important to focus on the leading brands of harp to ensure quality. The difference between these brands is a matter of taste. Each type of harp, even within the brand has its own characteristics. If possible, try them all out and listen to them in person. If not, if you can set up a skype chat with someone who can let you hear them, this will ensure that you have the sound you are looking for.
Do I need a harp with gut strings? As with all string instruments, the type of strings greatly changes the tone of the harp. Gut strings were the have been used traditionally on harps for their warm, classic sound. In