Learning to play the harp can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The harp produces a beautiful, soothing sound and allows musicians to express themselves in new ways. While taking in-person harp lessons is ideal, it’s not always feasible due to scheduling, location, or cost constraints. Thankfully, there are now many great options for online harp lessons that provide quality instruction in the comfort of your own home.
In this article, we will cover 10 of the best online harp lesson websites available. For each site, we will provide an overview of what they offer, their teaching methods and philosophy, pricing, and any standout features that make them worth considering. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player hoping to improve your skills, you’re sure to find an online harp instructor that meets your needs from this list.
1. Harp and Soul
First on our list is Harp and Soul, founded by renowned harpist Maeve Gilchrist. This site provides memberships that allow access to a library of over 500 harp video lessons. Their lessons cover a wide range of topics including technique, repertoire, arranging, theory, rhythm, and more.
Harp and Soul’s teaching methodology focuses on body awareness, proper technique, and developing musicality. The video lessons are extremely well-produced and easy to follow along with. Instructors demonstrate concepts clearly and supplement demonstrations with useful verbal explanations.
Memberships are available for $20/month or $180/year. Besides the lesson videos, members also get downloadable sheet music, learning tools, community forums, and Q&A sessions with instructors. Harp and Soul is ideal for motivated students who want to comprehensively improve their harp skills.
2. Harp Studio
Run by harpist and instructor Sara Cutler, Harp Studio provides online harp lessons via video conference. Lessons are customized to each student’s skill level and musical interests. Beginners can learn harp fundamentals like hand positioning, rhythm, and basic repertoire. More advanced students can work on techniques like harmonics, vibratos, glissandos, and developing stylistic articulation.
Harp Studio’s teaching style focuses on proper body mechanics and a relaxed approach. Sara is attentive to each student’s abilities and challenges and designs lesson plans accordingly. She also incorporates music theory, ear training, and performance preparation into lessons as appropriate.
30 or 60 minute private lesson slots can be booked for $30 and $60. Sara also offers periodic group classes like harmony workshops and repertoire sessions for $20 per class. Harp Studio is a great option for personalized online harp instruction.
3. HarpSchool
Based in the Netherlands, HarpSchool offers online harp programs for all levels taught by a team of expert instructors. Their structured, step-by-step video lessons cover topics like hand position, music reading, elementary repertoire, rhythm training, articulation, and more.
HarpSchool’s teaching methodology focuses on establishing a solid foundation first before moving onto more advanced techniques. Their programs are modular, allowing you to first master the basics before progressing. For motivated self-starters, their built-in assessments help you track your progress.
They offer 3, 6, and 12 month packages starting at €150. With a subscription, you get access to all video lessons, sheet music, backing tracks for practice, forums, and a weekly group lesson. HarpSchool is a great choice for comprehensive, structured online harp instruction.
4. Harp Lessons with Abigail Kent
Abigail Kent is a renowned harpist who serves as Principal Harpist for the Madison Symphony Orchestra. She offers virtual harp lessons via Zoom tailored to each student’s goals and learning style.
Her teaching philosophy focuses on fundamentals like hand shape, posture, finger patterns, theory, and aural skills. She then builds up repertoire, rhythm studies, and technique from this foundation. Abigail also enjoys working on improvisation and arranging with her students.
30 minute online lessons are $40, 45 minute lessons are $50, and 60 minute lessons are $60. Abigail is scheduling new students for 2023. Her experience, personalized approach, and ability to teach all levels makes her a great online instructor.
5. Online Harp Academy
Run by harpist Vanessa Mulvey, the Online Harp Academy provides a sequential harp curriculum covering beginner through advanced levels. Learning is self-directed through structured video lessons that build skills incrementally.
Units focus on topics like hand technique, music reading, theory, repertoire, improvisation, and ensemble skills. The curriculum helps establish strong fundamentals first before moving to harder pieces and skills. Practice logs help motivate progress and accountability.
Their Essential Harpist package with access to all lessons is $29/month or $250/year. Printed music books, assessments, expert feedback, and community forums provide additional learning support. The structured pacing and skill-building approach of the Online Harp Academy is ideal for self-motivated learners.
6. Harp Mastery
Harp Mastery is the online learning platform of harpist Marisa Gupta. She offers on-demand harp lessons for all levels as well as instructor feedback on student submissions.
Beginner classes establish essential skills like hand positioning, posture, music reading, basic repertoire, and maintenance. Intermediate lessons build on these skills and teach arranging, advanced techniques, performing, and ensemble playing. Advanced unites help polish repertoire, rhythm, sight reading, improvisation, and more.
The Beginner Package costs $150 for 3 months of access. The more comprehensive Elite package is $350 for a year, adding feedback on video submissions. Harp Mastery’s structured, leveled approach helps students progress confidently.
7. HarpStudio
Based in Australia, HarpStudio offers online lessons via Skype or Zoom with harpist Eleanor Turner. She teaches beginner, intermediate, and advanced students of all ages. Her lessons focus on technique, reading music, developing repertoire, and performance skills.
Eleanor provides detailed, personalized instruction and caters her teaching approach to each student’s learning needs. She assigns supplementary exercises and pieces to reinforce new concepts between lessons. For remote students, she can ship instructional materials if needed.
30 minute lessons are $59 AUD while 60 minute sessions are $99 AUD. HarpStudio is great for individualized online harp lessons for students anywhere in the world. Eleanor’s flexible approach suits different learning styles.
8. Harp and Fiddle
Harp and Fiddle is run by harpist Corrie Mather who offers Skype harp lessons as well as free instructional videos. Her lessons are tailored to students’ abilities and interests. Beginners focus on posture, hand position, basic music reading, and elementary techniques. More advanced students refine their skills and expand their repertoire.
Corrie’s teaching style focuses on developing solid foundations. She assigns supplementary exercises and pieces to reinforce new techniques between lessons. Her free YouTube videos cover skills like plucking, harmonics, hammer-ons, harmonics, and more.
30 minute lessons are $27 USD while 60 minute lessons are $54 USD. Corrie’s combined free instructional resources and personalized paid lessons make Harp and Fiddle a great option.
9. Harp Lessons Online
Harp Lessons Online is run by harpist Emily Mitchell. She offers virtual harp instruction to students worldwide via video chat. Lessons cover fundamentals like hand and body position, music theory, sight reading, basic repertoire, and beginner arranging. She also teaches more advanced skills like lever and pedal techniques, harmonics, glissandos, and complex repertoire.
Emily structures her teaching around attainable short-term goals that build long-term harp skills. She assigns supplementary pieces and practice strategies tailored to each student’s progress and learning style. Her virtual recitals also help motivate students.
30 minute lessons are $39 AUD while 45 minute lessons are $49 AUD. Hour-long lessons are $69 AUD. Harp Lessons Online’s goal-oriented teaching style helps student stay motivated.
10. Harp with Heba
Heba is an Egyptian harpist with 15+ years of performance and instruction experience. She offers virtual harp lessons tailored to students’ ability levels. Beginners work on fundamentals like posture, hand position, basic musical patterns, and elementary repertoire. More advanced students refine techniques and expand their repertoire.
Heba’s approach focuses on developing strong foundations first before advancing skills. She incorporates music theory, sight reading, rhythm training, and ear training as needed. Her teaching style aims to build confidence and enjoyment.
Lesson pricing depends on duration and frequency. Heba offers periodic discounts, so check her website for details. Harp with Heba is great for focused online instruction from an experienced teacher.
Key Factors in Choosing Online Harp Classes
When deciding which online harp instructor is right for you, keep the following key factors in mind:
– Teaching philosophy – Look for an instructor whose approach matches your learning style and goals. Do they focus on fundamentals first or dive right into repertoire? Do they take a relaxed or regimented approach?
– Experience level – Match your ability level with an instructor who has experience teaching beginners, intermediates, or advanced players. Don’t choose lessons that are too complex or simplistic.
– Learning style – Consider whether you prefer highly structured lessons or a more flexible approach. Self-directed or instructor-guided?
– Areas of focus – Know what you want to learn – technique, reading music, theory, repertoire, etc. Find an instructor who offers detailed lessons in those areas.
– Price and options – Compare pricing structures and package options. Make sure available lesson lengths and frequency work for your schedule.
– Convenience – Can you easily access video lessons or conferencing platforms? Are instructional materials available digitally? Instructor time zones?
Choosing the right online harp instruction for your needs and goals will ensure the best learning experience. Use this list to find your perfect match!
Conclusion
Learning to play the beautiful, ethereal harp is immensely gratifying but finding in-person lessons that fit your schedule or budget can be difficult. Thankfully, there are now many excellent online harp instructors and virtual lesson platforms to choose from.
In this article, we covered 10 top-notch online harp lesson options that can teach you everything from the absolute basics like hand position and reading music all the way to advanced techniques like vibratos, glissandos, and complex repertoire. Each site has superb instructors, structured video lessons, and teaching methodologies tailored to different skill levels and learning styles.
No matter if you’re a beginner wanting to learn harp fundamentals or an experienced player seeking to refine your skills, you’re sure to find the perfect online harp lessons from this list. Learning virtually makes becoming a harpist accessible and convenient. Find the right teacher for your needs and get ready to make beautiful music from the comfort of your home!
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