Discover The Harp Days Across The UK – Will Set You Up For A Lifetime Of Harp Playing

Cambrian Harps is announcing a series of ‘Discover the Harp’ sessions across the UK. Start learning the harp in just half a day and go home with your very own harp so you can continue your harp playing journey.

Cambrian Harps is on a mission to show the country and the world that the harp is not an elitist instrument, played only by the wealthy. It’s an accessible, and affordable, instrument for all.

Many people have dismissed the idea of learning to play the harp, as too difficult, too expensive, too bulky to transport, and far too elitist to be something for ‘ordinary’ folk. But the Cambrian Harp School has changed all this with their ‘Discover the Harp’ days, dispelling the myths that surround this beautiful instrument. And they are taking these introductory half day sessions around the country.

The Discover the Harp courses work for all levels (adults and children) but are particularly ideal for complete beginners and more experienced musicians who want to try a new instrument. The session is accredited for Step One – Harp, the entry level on the music grade path in Harp by the International School of Musicians.

Hosted by friendly, highly experienced tutors, attendees will be guided through the basics of harp playing to ensure they have a good grounding, that they can take further, with lessons or on their own.

During the Discover the Harp session, students will begin to learn the skills and techniques required to play the harp, basic music theory and a variety of musical styles - from classical to folk - and playing in an ensemble.

If that already seems like a lot to pack into a short introductory course, the extras are an amazing bonus. Most notably, all people attending the course will be gifted a Derwent Discovery 16 String Harp to take home and keep (worth £250).

The beautiful, handcrafted Discovery 16 Harp is lightweight and boasts a D1 to C6 (middle C) range, making it perfect for beginners and no problem to take with you when travelling. It can also be upgraded for increased versatility as students progress in their learning.

The course aftercare also includes course materials and sheet music, access to Cambrian Harp School’s Online Blended Learning Porta, where there are videos and resources to help you embed what you have already learnt and to help facilitate your harp adventure. Also, you get access to a national network of harp tutors for face to face and video conferencing lessons.

All this for a very modest price of £199.00, making it a widely accessible course, ideal for yourself or as a gift for a relative or friend and costing less than the price of the complimentary harp the student will leave with.

Dates and locations:

Saturday 13th July – Aberystwyth

Tuesday 6th August – Southampton

Saturday 10th August – Holyhead, Anglesey

Sunday 11th August – Bushmills (Giants Causeway), Northern Ireland

Wednesday 14th August – Kirkwell, Orkney (Followed by a Harp Recital at St Magnus Cathedral at 2.30pm)

Thursday 15th August – Edinburgh

Sunday 18th August – Falmouth

Monday 26th August – Guernsey

Saturday 26th October – Huntingdon

There is high demand for these courses, so early booking is advisable. Also, due to high demand, other dates and venues are likely to be added so do keep an eye on the website.

Helen Naylor with her wedding harp Photo: Cambrian Harps

I am so excited to be taking the ‘Discover the Harp’ days on the road and meeting some of our future harpists and getting them started on their harp adventure. The harp is such a wonderful instrument, so easy to get started and a real pleasure to play. Who doesn’t love the sound of a harp? Helen Naylor, Director of Music at Cambrian Harps.

Discover the Harp Days are International School of Musicians (ISoM) Accredited. They can be booked via the website www.cambrianharps.com or by calling 0330 390 3559.