If you are in the market for a new or used harp, you need to do your research ahead of time and shop around. The most important thing to look for when buying a harp is that it is comfortable and enjoyable to play. You want the harp to be responsive and easy to pluck. The strings should all pluck evenly, with each one being as responsive and clear as the next. Here are a few other things to think about when buying your next harp.

In order to be comfortable, the harp must be the right size for you.

If you are short in stature, or are purchasing the instrument for your child, you will need a smaller size so that you can reach the pedals without straining. Beginner harps with only 27 or 30 strings are available in these small sizes as a starter instrument. Semi-grand harps are usually a good choice for smaller adults as they are lighter and more compact than the standard concert grand size. A concert grand harp has 47 strings while the semi-grand only has 46.

Test out the harp's tone by playing a wide range of notes in the music store.

Most dealers will allow you to play the instrument before you purchase. If the store refuses, you may not want to shop there. A harp can be quite an investment and you want to have an adequate "test drive" before committing financially. Ideally, you want a tone that is neither too bright nor too full. Look for a bright tone that projects well without sounding too high and cracking. Have someone else play the harp so you can check the projection of the sound from across the room. A great sounding harp is no good if your audience will not be able to hear it.

Inspect the workmanship of the harp for quality and condition.

Check for solid, quality wood materials and sturdy metal parts for the pedals and hardware. There should be no dings or scratches in the finish of the wood, unless you are purchasing secondhand. If you are buying a used harp, inspect any damage to be sure that it is only cosmetic and not structural. Structural damage will affect the tone produced by your harp. Make sure the pedals are not warped or deformed and that the columns are straight. The neck of the harp should also be straight and have no signs of warping or cracking. Look for any cracks or gaps in the rear of the soundbox. Lastly, check to see if the harp's base is solidly attached to the feet for stability.

Once you have found the harp you want to purchase, there are a few questions you should ask of the music store.

Inquire about any warranties on the harp's manufacture or materials. Even if you are purchasing a used instrument, you should be able to get some type of limited warranty against defects. Ask if the store can handle any future maintenance or repairs you may need. If not, ask for a referral to another store that can. This is especially important for beginner musicians who may not be familiar with the workings of their harp.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-06 05:12:31. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Related Posts

• Buying Acoustic Musical Instruments Online Acoustic instruments have been providing such wonders of sounds and melodies since before the Renaissance period. These instruments provide a quality of music that cannot be replicated by their electrical counterparts. Pianos, violins, guitars, learning to play an acoustic instrument is something that can only bring growth to a person.......
• A Cello Buying Guide Shopping for a cello can be a difficult and costly decision. This guide will give you some pointers on what to look for and how to avoid wasting money on the wrong instrument for your needs. If you are buying a cello for your child, you may want to consider......
• Learning to Play the Acoustic Guitar When it comes to learning how to play the acoustic guitar and its associated cords, there are a myriad of different places that you can turn to in order to get the help you need. Although there may be a myriad of different sites out there that will help you......
• Brief History for Double Bass or Stand Up Bass The Double Bass or Stand Up Bass is the largest and the lowest pitched of all bowed string instruments that is used as a part of the modern symphony orchestra. The stand up bass is a standard member of the symphony orchestra's string section as well as smaller string ensembles......
• Which Saxophone Mouthpiece to Use The saxophone is an interesting musical instrument that has become well appreciated through the years in a wide variety of different musical genres, including but not limited to jazz music, rock music and pop music as well. For saxophone players, there are a number of add on pieces like mouth......

Related Websites

• Unique Gifts For A Man's Birthday Men are creatures of habit who appreciate gifts that have a purpose, not items just to be put on a wall. An exception to this rule would be their trophy-winning trout mounted or prized deer head. If you are searching out unique gifts for a man’s birthday then we......
• American Girl - Not Frugal At All (Or What's A Smile Worth) Last weekend we went to the American Girl store in Manhattan to buy my daughter a doll. Have you heard of this place? It's a doll store that specializes in making the doll purchase a full experience for your child. Among the doll choices you have is their Just Like......
• Year-end checklists for flexible spending accounts This is a good time of the year to shore up this year's flexible spending account (FSA) expenditures and prepare for next year's. The FSA I'm talking about here is a plan that may be offered through your (US) employer, whereby a part of your paycheck is withheld each period,......
• Grand Piano Dealers -> Musical Instruments -> Keyboard The first pianos to be called “grand” were manufactured in 1777, and soon became status symbols that the wealthy and affluent all wanted to own. A grand piano can command a room. Usually, it's the largest piece of “furniture” in a room, and......
• Swine Flu - Ten Tips to prepare and protect yourself Now that America has declared a state of swine flu public health emergency, you may be asking yourself - what am I supposed to do? Here is a list of ten practical steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself and your family. 1) Know the symptoms - Here......

Online Stores

• Wood Crucifixes Christianity Religions, Spirituality Collectibles
• Wood Thimbles Sewing Collectibles
• Wood Picture Frames Decorative Arts Antiques
• Wood Antique Pre-1930 Dolls Dolls Bears
• Wood Flooring Tile Flooring Building Hardware Home Improvement

If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.



Categories:

Acoustic Musical Instruments, Buyer's Guide, Harps

Tags:

adults, audience, bright tone, grand harp, Harps, music store, quality wood, scratches, stature, sturdy metal, test drive, wood materials, workmanship