How I did it: My parents asked me when I was 15 what I would like to learn if I didn't enjoy the piano that much and I asked to learn the harp. I'd seen NeNe Thomas's sister Annabelle playing at Scarborough Faire in Texas, and I'd wanted to learn since. (I must say, I regret not choosing a more portable instrument!) We found a local teacher and I learned the Grandjany method for 3 years. The experience was so fun, that my younger brother and sister, my mother AND my father all took lessons for periods of time. We amassed 3 harps in 3 years, two lever harps and a concert harp.

Lessons & tips: You need a vehicle that can move these beasts. Seriously. And this will be your newest car, in terms of pricing. My favorite harp was a Dusty Strings Bubinga Wood 36 string lever harp. It made the most beautiful tones. Do NOT buy cheap harps, whatever you do. Harps should cost somewhere between 2 and 3 thousand for a lever, and 15-20 thousand for a pedal harp and the reason they're so expensive is because it takes quality craftmanship to make a harp that doesn't go out of tune every day, and make a big lovely sound. 

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Jan 22, 2009, 01:43PM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer