Harp Lessons in Cardiff
I am available for private harp tuition and one to one harp lessons to suit your own experience and I teach from home in Cardiff.
I have been teaching the harp since 1998, I really enjoy this aspect of my life and I am an enthusiastic and understanding teacher. I believe that enjoyable and varied lessons are paramount to a student’s success in becoming a harpist. As everyone has different long-term aims and expectations it is important to discuss these between tutor and student so lessons can be tailored carefully to individual needs. You may wish to perform in concerts, play with a band, accompany others, learn to improvise, compose, or simply play for your own pleasure.
I am a fully qualified teacher with a PGCE from Aberystwyth University and hold a diploma in harp instrumental teaching from the Associate board of the royal schools of music.
To learn the harp you need time, enthusiasm and discipline. It is recommended that a potential student should have studied the piano for at least a year before starting the harp. This is so that when a student starts the harp the main focus can be on enjoyment and learning a good technique - an assimilation of basic music theory will have already taken place. It is possible to learn without piano as a background, however a student must be prepared for what will initially be a slower learning process.
Harps are expensive and it is a big commitment to purchase one before beginning lessons. I offer one or two ‘taster’ sessions’ so that you can meet me and try the harp before you make a commitment to the instrument and lessons. Although you won’t be able to practice between sessions, it will give you an opportunity to try the instrument and gain a slight insight into the harp and techniques that are used by harpists.
Hiring harps
Hiring a harp to start with is a very sensible idea and harp hire is available from approximately £40/£50 a month. You can rent harps from various harp shops including Telyanu Vining Harps, Pilgrim Harps and Salvi, please see my recommendations page for information on these suppliers.
Harp loans from Schools/Music services
For children wishing to learn it is worth speaking to their school as some schools and/or county music services will loan harps to students.
Purchasing a harp
Once you are sure that studying the harp is going to be a long-term project, the purchase of the instrument is the next logical step. There are various companies selling harps throughout the UK, please see my recommendations page for some suggestions. A suitable harp to learn on should have at least 34 strings (this is the number required by the music examining boards) and will provide the range necessary for at least the first few years of learning. If you are thinking of buying ar harp over the internet on say on ebay, please feel free to ask my advice via email or contact a harp teacher that you know.
Second-hand Harps
Harps do not devalue greatly so second-hand harps are not always cheaper. There are a number of second-hand harp lists available (please see my recommendations page for suggestions). Do ask for advice if you are considering purchasing a second-hand harp.
Charities
There are various charities you can apply to that offer help towards the costs of musical instrument purchase.
Pupil Testimonials
Julie: I’m 38 years old; I started learning the harp eight months ago. Shelley made me feel immediately at ease and made the lessons thoroughly enjoyable. She managed to be both motivating and perceptive as a teacher; always stretching me but never too far; always encouraging and inspiring. I wanted to learn to improvise, as well follow scores, and she ensured that I learned both. She clearly had a wonderful relationship with the children she taught and certainly related to me (an adult) with complete ease. I suspect she could effectively teach anybody (of course, as long as they genuinely wanted to learn!). Her passion for teaching was obvious to all of us - lessons are fun as well as instructive.
Alsion: Shelley has been an inspirational harp teacher for our daughter, Katie, who took up the instrument two years ago at the age of nine. From the outside Shelley’s lessons appear to have involved a lot of fun, which is in direct contrast to the methods of other music teachers we have experienced. This has had a very positive effect on Katie who has always looked forward to her weekly lesson. Shelley has often organised group sessions which has allowed Katie to meet other people interested in the harp and has enabled her to experience group, as opposed to solo, playing.
Lesson Costs
The length of lesson you will need will depend on your age and experience. I teach daytimes and evenings. Some and weekend tuition is available but on a more flexible basis due to the events that I play at. If you are interested in having harp lessons please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone or email to discuss your needs and ideas.
- 1/2 hour: £15
- 3/4 hour: £20
- 1 hour: £25
Please note that additional travel expenses may be required if you decide you would like lessons at your home.
