Are you or your children interested in learning the harp
but have no instrument to play?
Now you can hire a harp and choose to either take lessons or to teach yourself with the book “Teach Yourself To Play the Folk Harp” by Sylvia Woods.
Each harp comes with a carry bag, tuning wrench and electronic tuner for easy tuning at home. The harps are small and easily portable. You can leave your harp at home when attending a lesson or choose to bring it with you.
If you are too busy for lessons or maybe don't want to spend more money on lessons, or the petrol to get to them, hire a harp with a teach yourself book. This book will guide you through the process of learning to play the harp with photographs and exercises to help establish basic playing technique. The teach yourself book has 48 songs and instrumentals for you to play.
Out of town inquiries are welcome. Even if you live in a remote rural part of NZ you can now learn the harp at home.
If you teach harp and have potential students who have no instrument please contact Robyn regarding hire as she is happy to supply harps to other teachers.
Some of the harps are fully levered and some have levers on CF and B strings. Most have no levers and are tuned to the key of C. This is like having all the white notes on the piano.
Harps are to be picked up from Oratia, West Auckland though in special circumstances and for some out of town hirers delivery is available. There will be an extra charge for delivery if this option is taken.
If all the rental harps are out your name can go on the waiting list. This is rare but does occasionally happen. You will be contacted as soon as an instrument comes in to arrange a time to pick up.
Robyn is always available by email or phone for any questions you may have.
| This is a 26 string rental harp with it's carry bag |
Looking after your harp
When not in use keep the harp covered with a cloth. For harps with levers this prevents dust build up and damage to the lever mechanisms. Set the levers down when you have finished playing for the day. This rests the strings by relieving them of extra tension.
When you are ready to play the harp again set the levers to the key of C by lifting the E, A and B levers. Then tune the instrument.
Remember, the C strings are red and the F strings are blue.
Keep the harp at an even temperature to help the instrument retain its tuning.
Keep it away from heat such as central heating, electric heaters, radiaters, dehumidifiers and fires when possible. Dehumidifiers are particularly bad. Never leave the harp in a room with one on. In summer check that the part of the room that it stands in does not receive direct sunlight and get very hot. When the harp is in a warm room remember to keep it clear of any cold breezes from doors or windows as this will cause it to go out of tune.
Moving the instrument from inside your home to the car or another place may cause the strings to go out of tune also. To minimise this happening always keep the harp well wrapped up in a blanket or in the purpose made carry bag when traveling. When leaving the instrument in a parked car for short periods of time take care that there is no direct sun on it. Better yet, don't leave it in a parked car and certainly not for a long length of time. If the harp overheats it can crack.
Lie the harp flat to travel, levers to the top. Soundbox to the right when you are lying it flat. The “Harps of the South” badge on the bag should be up.
Don’t be tempted to put your music or any other accessories inside the harp bag with the harp as this can cause string breakage and other damage.
Below are some comments from people who have hired harps
Meg - Auckland
I had wanted to try the harp for years but was always put off by the cost of buying a harp. Then when I finally checked the internet I found Robyn had harps for hire at a reasonable cost and she was only 20 minutes away. She agreed to show me the ropes since I was not intending to have lessons and continued to show an interest in my progress, even going to the extent of sending me a book of Medieval harp music which she thought I might find interesting. All in all, a very pleasant experience - and now she's teaching my daughter.
Victoria Marchant - Auckland
The harp is such a magical instrument. To me it's sound transcends the physical world and enters a realm that speaks to our hearts of beauty, peace, and tranquillity. Robyn gives such a gift through allowing people to hire these beautiful instruments and sharing her knowledge so willingly with others. I look forward to a time when I can dedicate myself to the proper learning of this instrument.
Claire Bracegirdle - Auckland
The harp I hired had a lovely tone and was a good size. The extras - book, bag, tuner, tuning wrench - were likewise excellent and altogether provided the perfect starting kit. The harp is a wonderful instrument to play - really therapeutic, and it always sounds nice, unlike beginning on the violin. I very much enjoyed the time I had with the harp and am now waiting until I can afford one of my own.
Davis Cartwright - Hamilton
The harp provided was in excellent condition with a beautiful tone and just the right number of strings and levers to learn on. Easy to tune; no issues. The beginners book provided was easy to read from and had a lot of interesting music, gradually grading up to more sophisticated numbers. Robyn has always been pleasant, friendly and gently encouraging. I'm deeply thankful I had the opportunity to hire a harp from her, and look forward to commissioning one.
Susan Reiss - Auckland
First of all, thank you so much for helping Martin to give me the most innovative Christmas gift I have ever had from him! I loved your CD and have really enjoyed experimenting with the lovely little harp he hired from you. I was able to follow the first part of the book, and once I had found middle C was able to start picking out various tunes. However, as I have played piano by ear for years now I have completely forgotten the theory part of music and therefore would have to start learning it all over again to be able to do justice to having my own harp. I'm afraid this would really be in the too-hard basket for me now, both mentally and also from finding the time to do so.
Having a harp of my own for two months has just been lovely and I now find I can appreciate the playing of it more when I see various harpists playing in films or DVD's - I can understand to a greater extent what they are doing. So it really has been worthwhile, even if I don't follow up with lessons.
Thank you so much again for what was a wonderful surprise and many hours happily playing around with it.
Tania - Auckland
The beautiful harp I hired from Robyn I found to be a relaxing way to ‘have a go’ - having the time to learn before making further commitment was a great recommendation for me
I found the sound and presence of the harp a joy on our home. my wife played our children to sleep often.
Ruth Gibbons - Oratia, Auckland
Robyn has a care and sensitivity for the harp and for her students that makes you want to continue to develop your skills. Being able to hire one of her harps made it possible for me to fulfill a childhood dream of playing the harp. The harps are beautiful to play with great resonance and even a beginner can make beautiful music with them. Thanks Robyn for this wonderful opportunity.
Eva - Auckland
Hamish started playing his harp almost 2 years ago.
He got a beautifully painted harp in an excellent condition.
Being only 8 we were not so sure whether he will continue with this instrument for long so we've decided to hire this magic instrument from Robyn.
The sound and ease of use made him fall in love with this instrument, and we never have to ask him to practice once.
We would highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience the sound of a harp to give it a go.
You may surprise yourself.
The size is very portable and the amount of stings ,perfect for a beginner.
Sian Beattie - Auckland
Thank you so much, it has been great practicing on the harp and I wish I could afford to rent and save for my own one at the same time. All in good time. Once I have my own I will probably come and have some lessons, esp as I will have forgotten all I have learnt so far by the time I have my own.
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