Best Harp For Beginners | Ted's List (2024)

Choosing your first harp can be daunting, but the following reviews will highlight some of the best brands with a long-standing reputation among harp players.

The four different types available are: lap harp, celtic harp, pedal harp and electric\electroacoustic harp and have a string range from 19 string, 26 string, 34 strings to a maximum of 47 strings.

Lever harps, also known as Celtic harps are traditional floor harps used to play folk music; pedal harps are primarily found in the classical world, for orchestral, chamber and solo playing and the electric and electroacoustic harps are used for contemporary and jazz music.

Before I buy a good harp, I always consider the type of harp playing I want to do and consult my teacher (and you should, too!). Once I know what I want to play, buying a good harp becomes much easier.

Buying a harp is one thing but you will need a few other bits of equipment to:

• A tuning key
• Padded covers
• Adjustable stool
• Spare set of strings
• Tuning machine Trolley – essential for pedal harps

There are three types of harp strings: nylon strings, gut strings and wire wound strings for the bass. Nylon strings are most commonly found on lever harps whereas gut is better suited for the pedal harp due to its robust build and ability to withstand tension.

A minor (!) detail to consider is the size of your car. Before you buy a harp be sure to check that you can transport if in your current vehicle.

PROS

• Ergonomically Finished Wood
• Small and Easy to Carry

CONS

• None!

PROS

• Crafted from Beech with a matte black finish
• Available in a range of different finishes

CONS

• None!

PROS

• Tiny & compact tuner
• New & improved display
• Provides high-precision tuning
• Works with various orchestral instruments

CONS

• None!

The first of the smaller harps in this list and a popular instrument within the family of lap harps, this Irish Harp would be the best beginner harp for anybody interested in busking; or for the more mature beginner looking for a small, lightweight instrument to play at home. Strung with nylon strings this compact harp is mostly used for music therapy sessions due to its small size and lightweight.

It’s an elegantly crafted harp made from beech wood and has all the required features needed to create a good sound; but with only 19 strings, there isn’t a huge amount of written music available for the instrument.

It has limited range compared to larger harps, but it’s still worth considering for its portability and suitability for smaller spaces.

But, don’t worry! This exact harp is also available in a slightly larger size, with 22 strings.

PROS

• Small and lightweight
• Cheap
• Comes with tuning key, string set and padded carrying case from www.gear4music.com

CONS

• 19 and 22 strings are quite limiting when choosing music

This is an ideal harp for pedal harp players who may be travelling and needing to take a small harp with them to keep their technique in shape. It’s lightweight and compact, making it a very useful practice harp. The tension and spacing between strings is identical to that of a concert grand harp.

Crafted from both maple and walnut wood this harp is also available with a carved and gilded decoration.

PROS

• Small and lightweight
• Cheap
• Comes with tuning key, string set and padded carrying case from www.gear4music.com

CONS

• 19 and 22 strings are quite limiting when choosing music

The perfect instrument to encourage young beginners. This harp comes in a range of different colours: natural maple, black, white, red, blue, purple and pink; and has a shoulder strap attached for ease of use.

Harp music is limited for the instrument due to the fact that it doesn’t have many strings; but it’s ideal for enticing young fingers to have a go and not too expensive to buy. The fun colours give it a playful element that makes it attractive to young children.

PROS

• Attractive for children
• Reasonably priced
• Compact
• Lightweight
• Comes with a two year warranty
• Tuning wrench included in the price

CONS

• Limited repertoire suitable for the instrument
• It’s a short term fix
• It doesn’t have sharping levers

The Ulysse is a great choice for the travelling harpist due to its super light weight carbon fibre body. Weighing in at 8.5kg, this lever harp with 34 strings has great strength and concert quality sound and is very popular within the world of folk music thanks to the in-built pick-up for easy amplification.

With titanium tuning pegs and a spruce wood soundboard, the Ulysse comes in five different colours, black; blue; red; green and white. You can also request soundboard decorations and customised sharping levers.

PROS

• High quality harp
• One of the most popular folk harps
• Lightweight
• Dust cover included

CONS

• Tends to have a tinny sound quality
• Padded travel cover not included
• Expensive

First built in 1980, Pilgrim led the way with the first ever concert strung Celtic harp, producing an instrument with an amazingly full sound.

The Clarsach is a very popular buy amongst students and professionals and is ideal for those wanting to move onto playing the classical pedal harp in the future. Strung with gut strings, the tension and spacing between strings is identical to that of concert grand harps.

One of the many positive points of this harp is the fact that it can ‘grow’ with its owner. It comes with two sets of legs – short ones and long ones. You can screw on the longer legs when you get to the point of needing a taller harp. It effectively suits a six year old beginner right up to the age of 12, for example.

PROS

• Attractive for children
• Reasonably priced
• Compact
• Lightweight
• Comes with a two year warranty
• Tuning wrench included in the price

CONS

• Limited repertoire suitable for the instrument
• It’s a short term fix
• It doesn’t have sharping levers

Ravenna 26 is an interesting proposition; not only can you choose either a burgundy, green or black coloured harp, there are also two types of levers from which you can choose. The basic package is priced at a little under $1,000 – this price includes the harp (without levers) and a tuning wrench. Above this are two packages with a choice of levers; so by pricing accessories and options separately the harp is made affordable for the most budget-conscious harpist.

The Ravenna is one of those harps for both beginners and well established professionals looking for an easily portable practice harp that has a full and bright sound for its size.

PROS

• Reasonable repertoire options due to the 26 strings
• Budget friendly
• Easy to transport

CONS

• You can’t progress very far with a 26 stringed instrument

Ravenna 26 is an interesting proposition; not only can you choose either a burgundy, green or black coloured harp, there are also two types of levers from which you can choose. The basic package is priced at a little under $1,000 – this price includes the harp (without levers) and a tuning wrench. Above this are two packages with a choice of levers; so by pricing accessories and options separately the harp is made affordable for the most budget-conscious harpist.

The Ravenna is one of those harps for both beginners and well established professionals looking for an easily portable practice harp that has a full and bright sound for its size.

Specs
Height: 99cm
Width: 53cm
Weight: 6.4kg
Strings: 26
Range: 1st octave G – 5th C
Price: Starts from £708\$1000

The Daphne 47 SE ticks so many boxes and is the optimum buy within the Salvi student pedal harp range. With the maximum number of strings possible, 47, and an extended soundboard the Daphne can transport a student from beginner right through to an advanced stage, making it one of the bests in the market!

For those wanting to start on a pedal harp immediately, The Daphne 47 SE is an excellent beginner harp. It comes in three standard colours: mahogany, walnut and natural with the added option of having a personalised soundboard. Its lightweight and compact design makes it easier to handle and transport for new players.

Also, If you’re looking to buy a pedal harp for a young beginner, you have the option of buying these pedal extensions to use until the student has grown enough to reach the pedals; you will effectively buy an instrument that will last many years.

PROS

• Made with high quality materials
• Maximum number of strings but a slightly smaller sized harp
• An excellent harp for the price
• High quality materials
• Key changes are easier than on lever harps
• Price includes dust cover and tool kit (pedal caps, tuning key and wire cutters)

CONS

• You will need an estate car if you don’t already own one
• Padded covers are not included in the price

We’ve crept into the professional range with the 85 E, but wanted to include it due to its warm sound and smaller size – ideal for a petite beginner or someone looking for ease with transport. These slightly smaller harps are an attractive proposition for a beginner looking to start on a pedal harp straight away.

When I’ve tried to play the Lyon & Healy – Style 85 E, it felt like a truly luxurious and captivating musical experience, with its rich, resonant tone and exquisite craftsmanship.

But of course, with a better harp comes a larger price tag!

Elegant in design and available in natural, mahogany and ebony finishes, Lyon and Healy harps are made using the highest quality materials, including Pacific Northwest/Northern Midwest Sitka spruce for the soundboard.

PROS

• Smaller sized harp with maximum range of string
• High quality harp made by reputable makers
• Price includes dust cover and tuning key

CONS

• Big jump in price from the student range
• Padded covers aren’t included in the price

The electric lever harp is one of the most modern instruments within the family of harps. Built by one of the best harp makers in the world, the Silhouette comes in a range of colours; red, jet black, metallic silver, metallic blue and metallic green; is fitted with professional levers and pickup on each string.

Its sleek and innovative design gives the harpist an option of roaming freely on stage whilst they play or to be stationary, thanks to both the tripod stand and body strap.

One thing to consider before buying a Silhouette is whether you want to limit yourself to the niche world of electronic harp?

PROS

• Made with high quality materials
• Made be highly reputable makers
• Players have the option of performing whilst stationary or mobile
• Price includes tuning key, stand, padded covers and body strap
• Comes with a 3 year warranty

CONS

• It’s not as versatile as a traditional lever or concert grand harps
• The harp doesn’t have a large sound when played without amplification

Rainbow 40 is one of the most versatile instruments on the market.

With its visual ‘wow factor’, this harp can be played either as an electric or electroacoustic harp and is an ideal instrument for harpists wanting to play jazz, pop and classical music with amplification.

Fiemme Valey red spruce is used for the soundboard, providing a solid structure for a full bodied sound; and the iridescent finish gives it an unique and attractive look.

PROS

• Versatile
• Attractive looking
• Price includes dust cover and XLR socket jack

CONS

• Price doesn’t include padded cover
• Acoustic sound quality not quite as good as a non Electroacoustic harp

Well made harps are carved from a variety of woods chosen for their natural and physical properties, such as: Canadian Maple, high strength Beech and Spruce. Some harps also have metal reinforcement on the sound board, which makes it stronger to withstand a lot of tension – these are important factors to consider.

Your teacher will have good advice on the best instrument to suit your needs.

As you can see, harps come in a range of sizes. Imagine having a couple of empty boxes at home – when you hit the small box you don’t get a very big sound, but when you hit the biggest box you get a big, deep sound. The same thing applies for the harp – the rounded part at the back of the soundboard is called a sound box; the larger the harp the bigger the repertoire choices.

The only difference between a celtic harp/lever harps and a pedal harp is the size and the way in which we sharpen strings. The technique you use to play both is the same.
Celtic harps have levers which are moved by hand; whereas pedal harps have seven pedals which are pressed by our feet.

Lever harps are the smaller instruments that range from 19 string harps to 36 and a pedal harp is a larger instrument ranging from 40 to a 47 string harp.

If you’re buying a Celtic harp the ideal size is a 34 string harp.

There is such a great range of harps available for beginners!

These recommendations are for beginners of all ages and abilities. Beginners who start on a lever harp usually move onto a pedal harp when they reach grade 4 or 5, but it’s worth noting that you can do grades 1 – 8 on a lever harp too.

These best harps for beginners offer excellent sound quality, durability, and ease of learning, making them ideal choices for aspiring harpists.

Remember: a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a better sounding harp. Good luck in your search!