Who here plays harp?

[A_S]

I've noticed that a lot of members here play the harp. I was wondering just how many that is, so this poll should give us all an idea.

[Grania]

*raises hand* I'm learning anyway

[Turlough]

What G said.

While Grania is studying under a real harp player, I've been self-teaching in a haphazard way for some 27 years.

[Ar Gemenerez]

I do ! I'll start my 7th year with a teacher;

Wow Turlough, isn't it too hard to learn alone ? At the beginning at least ? *impressed*

[dids]

I think that learning any instrument is hard; concerning piano, it is harder than ever when you have learned for a while but not yet being a good player...

[A_S]

I play too, as you probably all guessed considering that i was the one to start the topic. I only started lessons in March so I'm not very good yet. It's lots of fun, though!

Yes, Turlough, I'm interested to hear about your experiences with being self-taught as well.

[eadgyth]

I've loved the sound of the instrument ever since I was a little kid, but where I live there were no teachers when I was little. Now I simply don't have the time to start learning (nor the money to pay for lessons). But I'm still hoping to start learning one day. Probably when I'm old and grey and retired and too deaf to hear how terrible my playing is

[Ardens]

The harp has always been one of my favourite instruments, but when I was a child, I was not allowed to play it. I have a keyboard at home and I try to teach myself to play some songs. One day when I am more familiar with music theory, I will maybe also try to learn how to play the harp.

[David Booth]

I'm a beginner on the Celtic Harp too!

David

[Grania]

Hi David

Welcome to the forum! Another harp player from the uk? Excellent Hope we'll see you around here often

[Turlough]

The harp has always been one of my favourite instruments, but when I was a child, I was not allowed to play it. I have a keyboard at home and I try to teach myself to play some songs. One day when I am more familiar with music theory, I will maybe also try to learn how to play the harp.

It's worthwhile, because if you can make any music on a keyboard you can learn to find your way on a harp, too. There is one harp player here who has shared sound files of her playing, showing a strong similarity to piano exercises.

[A_S]

Hi David! It's nice to have another harp player around here. Hope you enjoy yourself!

What sorts of things are people working on on their harps right now? I'm preparing for some events my harp teacher is having her students play in around St. Patrick's day, so I'm learning a lot of well-known Irish songs.

[Grania]

I'm tackling a new O'Carolan at the moment, which is something of a headache as my memory for it is terrible and I really can't read the music to save my life It's called 'Father Brian McDermot Roe' - anyone know it?

[A_S]

I don't know it. Is it a good song if one ignores the headache part?

[Eternal_Silence]

I don't play the harp, but I almost would have about 2 years ago. Things didn't go as planned though . I'd still love to learn how to play it someday.