Harp Lessons York

Professional Harp Lessons

Welcome! If you're a new student in York looking to learn the harp, you're in the right place. I've been a harp teacher for many years, helping students of all ages and skill levels discover the joy of playing this beautiful instrument. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced harpist, my lessons are tailored to suit your needs and goals.

I provide in-person harp lessons that focus on building a strong foundation of skills, including technique, music theory, and the ability to read music. We’ll explore a wide range of musical styles, from classical and jazz to pop and even your own music creations. If you're interested in adding piano, recorder, or even flute into your musical learning experience, I can provide support as well—I'm also experienced in working with piano and keyboard pupils, just like a variety of local piano tutors in York.

What to Expect in Lessons

For beginners, we often start with simple harp songs to help you get familiar with the basics of the lever harp, including hand positioning, understanding the instrument, and introducing some easy classical or folk tunes. For experienced students, we can focus on refining playing techniques, tackling more complex repertoire, or even preparing for performances and concerts. My lessons are all about helping you achieve your musical ambitions while enjoying the process of learning.

If you’re a younger student—or perhaps a parent hoping to introduce your child to the harp—I also teach harpists from local schools in York and have worked with children extensively. No matter your background, I’ll create a step-by-step plan to suit your learning style, offering tools and techniques to help you grow as a musician.

Music Theory & the Harp

When you’re learning the harp, understanding music theory can feel like unlocking a secret language that makes everything click. It’s not just about memorising notes or scales—it’s about really understanding how music works and how to make it come alive. Whether you’re just starting out as a beginner or you’ve been playing for a while, music theory is the guidance that suppors your growth as a harp player.

Connecting Music Theory to the Harp

For my students, I always emphasise how music theory applies directly to harp music. For instance, learning key signatures is essential when playing the lever harp, as we constantly adjust levers to match different keys. Chord progressions, scales, and intervals also help you see the bigger picture of a piece and improve your ability to play fluently. If you’ve studied another instrument like the piano or flute, you might find that these skills transfer easily—but don’t worry if you’re starting fresh! I teach beginners how to build this knowledge step by step in a fun and approachable way.

Benefits in Your Harp Journey

Music theory doesn’t just help you understand the pieces you’re playing; it also boosts your confidence to explore and experiment. Knowing the structure behind harp music gives you the freedom to improvise, compose, or even play by ear. One of my favourite moments as a harp teacher is watching students connect theory to their playing—it’s like a lightbulb goes off, and everything feels more natural.

My Teaching Approach

I use a practical approach to teach theory during harp lessons, weaving it into our practice so it feels natural and relevant. Whether you’re interested in classical pieces, harp covers of your favourite songs, or exploring folk music, I ensure that we connect the “why” behind each note to the “how” of playing. With my experience teaching both in-person and online, I can adapt lessons to suit every kind of learner, whether you’re working from a keyboard, listening closely to harp recordings, or using exercises that connect what you learn on the lever harp to your wider understanding of music.

If you’re ready to explore how music theory can transform your harp playing, I’d love to work with you! I offer harp lessons in York as well as support for online learners, and I bring years of experience to lessons designed for beginners and advanced students alike. Feel free to reach out—I’d be thrilled to guide you on this musical adventure.

Improve Your Harp Technique

When it comes to learning the harp, there’s a world of incredible playing techniques that can completely elevate your performance and deepen your connection to the music. I always emphasise building a strong foundation in technique during my harp lessons because it’s the key to playing harp music with confidence and expression. Here are just a few of the techniques we might explore together:

Proper Hand Position and Posture

A good starting point is learning the right hand position and posture. Proper form ensures you can play comfortably and efficiently while avoiding strain. Whether you’re new to the harp or transitioning from piano or flute, I guide you through adjusting your posture and hand placement so you feel at ease with your instrument.

Finger Independence and Coordination

Achieving control over each finger is essential to mastering intricate harp music. During lessons, we’ll work on exercises that improve your finger independence so you can move smoothly across the strings and bring clarity to each note. This is particularly helpful when learning more advanced pieces or playing songs with complex patterns.

Dynamic Expression

One of the joys of harp playing is its ability to produce such a wide range of dynamics. I’ll help you practice techniques for creating delicate pianissimo tones or powerful fortissimo passages, bringing your harp music to life with emotion and depth. Students who have worked with me—whether in York or online—often say this is one of their favourite parts of our lessons.

Glissandos and Flourishes

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing those sweeping glissandos that make the harp sound like the instrument of angels, you’re not alone! I’ll teach you how to execute glissandos cleanly and effectively, as well as how to add other dramatic flourishes to your repertoire, giving your performances a polished, professional touch.

Connecting Music Theory to Technique

My background as an experienced teacher allows me to combine technical practice with a deeper understanding of the music itself. Together, we’ll explore how theory enhances your interpretation of a piece, and you’ll find that this skill transfers beautifully to other instruments, such as piano and flute, if you play them.

Whether you’re aiming to perfect a favourite song or prepare for performances, my goal as your harp teacher is to help you feel inspired and confident. Every lesson is tailored to your goals, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way!