Melina is an experienced teacher, trained in the Salzedo method of harp playing. She teaches privately in Melbourne, close to the CBD.
Lever or pedal harp
Harps fall into two categories: lever and pedal. (Note: so-called 'Celtic' harps belong in the lever category).
For a beginner a lever harp is typically the best starting point, as they are less expensive and easier to transport/maintain than pedal harps.
Pedal harps are larger than lever harps, and are used for both advanced solo and orchestral playing.
Lever harps come in many different sizes, and different amounts of strings. The more strings, the bigger the harp. The bigger the harp, the more pieces you can play on it.
Harps also have different tension. Children must start on a low-tension harp, as their hands have fragile developing muscles and will be injured if they need to use much force to play. For adults this is not an issue, and it is in fact important not to have a harp whose tension is too low, as the adult muscles will not develop their strength potential.
Please note: there are also Baroque harps, which require an entirely different teaching method to learn. Much Baroque music has, however, been adapted for lever and pedal harps.
Harp supplier websites
Lyon and Healy (USA) and Salvi Harps (Italy) are the two most famous International harp making companies and produce some of the world’s finest harps, both lever and pedal. We are fortunate in Australia to have a number of excellent local harp makers and suppliers:
Harp Centre
Harps (pedal and lever), music, strings and accessories.
Carter Harps
Strings, music and accessories (pedal and lever)
http://www.carterharpsaustralia.com.au/
Tim Guster Harps
Lever harps, made in South Australia
Andrew Thom Harps
Lever harps, made in Tasmania
Harps Australia
Harps (pedal and lever)