logo
  • Home
  • Main Categories
    • Accessories
    • Amplifiers
    • Band & Orchestra
    • Bass
    • DJ & Karaoke
    • Drums & Percussion
    • Guitars
    • Keyboards & Synthesizers
    • Live Sound & Lighting
    • Microphones
    • Studio & Recording Equipment
    • Traditional Instruments
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Traditional Instruments
Last updated: 19 Feb 2021

Best Harps for Beginners

Best Overall
logo
Roosebeck 8 Strings Lily Harp
Shop now
Runner-Up
logo
Sturgis 21 Inch Tall Celtic Baby Harp
Shop now
Honorable Mention
logo
Smequeen Celtic Irish 15 Strings Harp
Shop now
Also Consider
logo
Royal 12 String Children's Harp
Shop now
logo
Woldorf USA Irish Celtic 22 Strings Harp
Shop now
Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Published 5:59 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Roosebeck 8 Strings Lily Harp
  • 2 Sturgis 21 Inch Tall Celtic Baby Harp
  • 3 Smequeen Celtic Irish 15 Strings Harp
  • 4 Royal 12 String Children’s Harp
  • 5 ROYAL HARPS SOLID ROSEWOOD 22 String Harp
  • 6 Rees Harps Sharpsicle Black Harp
  • 7 Roosebeck Heather TM Harp
  • 8 Harpsicle Harps Special Edition Fullsicle Harp
  • 9 Woldorf USA Irish Celtic 22 Strings Harp

The harp is one of the most important instruments in the world of music. It has been used for hundreds of years in many different ways. Whether you are learning to play the harp or you’re looking for a new instrument to use, there are a lot of options out there. There are also a few things you should consider before buying the best harps for beginners in 2021.

Best Harp for Beginner

1

Roosebeck 8 Strings Lily Harp

– Best Overall
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This set includes a tuning tool to help you get the most out of your strings. It comes with 15 high-quality nylon strings, 8 dupont nylon strings, and a tuning tool that can be used on any type of string. Pros: Comes with a tuning tool Cons: Doesn’t come with an instruction manual What WE LIKE: This set includes a tuning tool to help you get the most out of your strings. It comes with 15 high-quality nylon strings, 8 dupont nylon strings, and a tuning tool that can be used on any type of string. Bottom Line: We liked this set because it came with a tuning tool that can be used on any type of string.

THE SCOOP

This harp is an excellent choice for stringed instruments. It is made of fine, durable and long-lasting materials that will last a long time.

2

Sturgis 21 Inch Tall Celtic Baby Harp

– Runner-Up
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This is a great gift for anyone who loves to play the harp. It’s easy to set up and use, so you don’t have to worry about it getting lost in the shuffle. The strings are made of high-quality materials that won’t break easily over time.

THE SCOOP

This gorgeous harp are made from solid wood and features gorgeous embroidery on the hammers and strings.

3

Smequeen Celtic Irish 15 Strings Harp

– Honorable Mention
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This Celtic Irish harp is made with mahogany. It has a beautiful timbre close to the catgut string; it also has the volume and stability of the steel string. Although its core is also affected by weather, humidity and temperature like the catgut string, its variation range is much smaller than that of the catgut string. The instrument is warm voiced with a pleasant tone and is easy to play, making it the best gift for kids, adults, beginners, sweethearts, professionals and bands.

THE SCOOP

Featuring an attractive, handcrafted design with a beautiful jacquard finish, this harp is sure to make an impression on your next performance.

4

Royal 12 String Children’s Harp

– Also Consider
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This harp comes with a carrying case, extra strings and tuning key. It’s great for kids who want to learn how to play on their own but don’t have the time or money to do it themselves. You can also buy this harp as a gift from your child’s school if you need something that will make them feel like they’re playing in front of an audience.

THE SCOOP

A superb choice for string instruments, this harp has a unique design with modern materials. It’s lightweight and delivers excellent performance.

5

ROYAL HARPS SOLID ROSEWOOD 22 String Harp

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This harp is made of rosewood and has a solid design. It’s easy to play, but it can be difficult to get the right tone when playing with other instruments. The strings are adjustable so you can choose between two or three string options depending on your preference. You may also want to consider using this as a gift for someone who loves music more than anything else.

 

THE SCOOP

Featuring extra-long strings, this harp is a great option for larger kids and adults. The 12-string design features a nylon strap and premium nylon case for easy carrying.

6

Rees Harps Sharpsicle Black Harp

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This harp comes with the addition of bridge pins on all strings and modified robinson sharping levers on the c and f strings. This allows the harp to play in 6 different keys (c,g,d major and a,e,b minor) without retuning.

THE SCOOP

The harp is made with durable, solid-wood strings, an extra carrying case, and a durable case that’s small enough to fit in your luggage.

7

Roosebeck Heather TM Harp

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This 22-string harp is made from authentic materials. It’s perfect for aspiring world musicians who want to learn how to play a variety of instruments, but don’t have the time or resources to do it all on their own.

THE SCOOP

This harp is a great pick for experienced players. It’s built with a sleek wooden head and gorgeous black wood look.

8

Harpsicle Harps Special Edition Fullsicle Harp

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This full-sicle harp has 26 strings, string type nylon monofilament and nylon wrapped. The strap buttons are natural cherry. It’s also available in a variety of colors to match your home decor.

THE SCOOP

This harp has a beautiful cherry finish that adds a touch of elegance to any ensemble. It is made of solid wood and measures 26 inches in length and 33 inches high.

9

Woldorf USA Irish Celtic 22 Strings Harp

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This harp is made from solid rosewood wood. It has 22 hard nylon strings, chrome levers, tuning pins, and premium brass finish stainless steel pins. Comes with an ashwood ply soundboard. The body of the harp is hand-carved by a master luthier.

THE SCOOP

A beautiful harp that is made from authentic rosewood.

Best Harps for Beginners Buying Guide

This guide has been created to give you a basic overview of the different types of harps and to introduce you to some of their features and functions. While we have done our best to include some excellent products from various brands; there are a number of fantastic choices available that are sure to suit your musical requirements. Regardless of which type of harp you play or what your playing style is, you will need a good quality instrument. So let’s get started.

What are some tips for finding the best harp?

Consider buying a quality harp. A good har p should have a broad tonal range to appeal to all styles of music. You also want a one-piece, lightweight design, since a heavier, more cumbersome harp should be reserved for special occasions. Some brands offer a warranty on their products. In this case, you can exchange or refund a product if the harps do not work well for you. Hiring an expert to help you set up and tune your harper is a wise decision. He or she should know how to change the strings, what materials to use, and how the sound is produced.

What should I consider when looking for a harp?

Durability

This part of the harp is what really matters. The harp must be strong enough to withstand repeated use and must not warp or break under pressure. While the overall strength of your harp is important, the durability of each strand is equally as important.

Size

The size of a given harp is measured in inches. We included both metric and imperial measurements.

Weight

A harp must have a solid build to support its weight. It should not be too heavy for children to drag around or push around.

How expensive are harps?

Inexpensive

Basic harps can go for $40 to $80. You can find a handful of good options here, but if you're just looking for an ordinary-looking instrument, this may be the best place to look.


Mid-range

Expect to pay $100 to hundreds of dollars for a quality harp. High-end instruments can cost a few hundred dollars, too.


Expensive (including concert harps)

If you’re serious about learning and practicing, you can buy a concert or professional-quality harp for more than $1,000. If that's too much for your bank account, there are options that cost around $500.

What features should I look for in harps?

Brand

One of the main reasons to get a musical instrument is because you want to play it. You don't need to go to a professional musician to discover what a great instrument it is. If you are a beginner, you might consider purchasing an acoustic harp. However, if you know what you're looking for, acoustic or not, there are many models of harps available, from electric to double bass. The list below features some of our favorite brands and provides you with an idea of what to look out for.

Reviews

Nowadays, anyone can post anything online. Whether it's something horrible happening to them or something they want people to know about, reviews are an excellent way to find out whether something is good or bad. Websites an enormous amount of reviews on everything from laptops to smartphones. This means that anyone looking to buy a harpy can find hundreds, or even thousands of opinions about the instruments. Of course, most websites are niche markets, so there will be bad reviews, but they provide an insight into the instrument that you probably wouldn't find from other sources.

Size

This is really important because it dictates how many strings you can get. For instance, a small acoustic will have 6 strings whereas a large electric harpe will only have 4. It would be impractical to have both acoustic and electric versions of a harp.

Ease Of Playing

Harps are traditionally made out of wood, which is an incredibly heavy material. Although you don’t need a lot of strength to wield one, it does need attention and care. Look for something that can be handled by anyone and is comfortable to hold.

Shape Of The Harp

Although it might not seem like it, the shape of your harping will affect its sound. A round harp will produce a much brighter sound than a square instrument. With this in mind, choose a shape that best suits you. Pick a design that will work for you.

Tuning Range

Some harps have tuning ranges that are too low or too high. While some harps are tuned to the lowest note, others are only able to be tuned up to D. Make sure you get the right range for your instrument before buying.

About Harp

Whether you’re a professional musician, a solo performer, or just a lover of music, you need the right harp for your music. A good, durable harp is an essential for a happy and fulfilling playing experience. There are numerous styles of harps, and choosing the wrong one can make a world of difference when it comes to playing, listening, recording, performing, or teaching. Make sure you choose a harp that best suits your own personal needs.

Harp FAQ

Q: How many strings are on a harp?

A: The number of strings on any given instrument is determined by the range of the instrument and the number and type of players the harpy can accommodate. The majority of harps have between ten and twenty-two strings, but some can have as many as thirty.

Q: Is a 12-string harp better than a 16- string harp?

A: Most harpists tend to think that a 24- or 26-strings harp is better, and this is true. However, if you are playing in a band and need the flexibility of a full-size harp, a larger 24 string model is more versatile and easier to play. If you prefer to improvise, you might want to consider a 26 string instrument.

Q: What is the difference between a piano and a guitar on an acoustic harp?

A: The acoustic guitar has a wider tonality that allows it to be played at a higher pitch than the piano. Because of this, it is possible to make a mistake and make the acoustic piano sound like a synthesizer, something that many people find annoying. This is why many electric harpers use a pedal called a "high-pass filter" to filter out unwanted sounds. On the other hand, the tonal quality of an electric guitar makes it easier for a musician to create a groove. Some harping manufacturers now produce guitars specifically designed with a good tone in mind, which may help you achieve a more exciting tone.

Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Derek is a professional musician who specializes in percussion and works with the independent WGI group Cap City Percussion. With a Bachelors of Music from Capital University, specializing in Music Industry studies, he consistently finds himself playing and teaching percussion to anyone who has the will to learn. Derek is also a former member of DCI groups Legends (2014-15) and Colts (2016-18); he is also the percussion technician and instructor of the drum line at Olentangy High School. You may find him playing a gig throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
You May Also Like
img
Best Beginner Clarinets
img
Best Violin Strings for Beginners
img
Cheap Double Bass Strings
  • Contact
  • About
logo
Copyright American Songwriter © 2021
  • Privacy Policy