Want to learn the harp?

In 2000, prince charles hired the first royal harpist in more than 100 years to champion the harp and raise its profile. The instrument might still not be as common to play as the flute or violin, but harpmakers suggest it is becoming more popular. Keziah Thomas, Chair Of The UK Harp Association (ukharp.net), Estimates there are more than 1,000 harp players in the uk. it certainly has advantages as a beginner instrument: it almost always sounds good. to find a harp teacher (there are about 200 in the uk), head to musicteachers.co.uk – and, if there’s no one nearby, ask a teacher if they give lessons online. Keziah also runs little harp social (littleharpsocial.com), which organises small group courses for adults across the country and online. harps aren’t cheap – teifi’s most basic model, the siff saff, starts at £1,995, but the company also loans them for £150 for three months.