Caswell Harps Frequently Asked Questions


• Do you make these harps? Yes. Chris Caswell began making Celtic harps in the early ‘70s. These designs are the culmination of his experience of over 30 years and 1000 harps.

• What kind of harps are these? These are primarily Celtic harps, with a healthy dose of innovation thrown in. They are different than the classical pedal harp which uses a complex (and expensive) system of pedals to change the pitch of strings.

• Do I need any musical background to play the harp? No. We all have the basic skills to play music. Even if you’ve never learned a musical instrument, many of the basic concepts of music are already in you as a listener.

• Do I need to be able to read music? No. Much of the world’s music lives without the written page. It’s useful and good to learn, but you can most definitely play without. Also, stay tuned for a new tablature, coming with the SweetHarps.

• How does the harp work? It’s like the white keys of the piano turned sideways and plucked kind of like a guitar.

• What are the red and blue strings for? That’s how we keep our place. The red strings are Cs and the blue strings are Fs.

* How about fingernails? Your choice. The old Celtic style, and Latin American technique, uses them. Many contemporary Celtic players, and those from a Classical background, don’t.

• Do you get calluses? You get some on your left ring and middle fingers if you play a lot and strongly in the bass (that's where the wound strings are)–more if you don’t use nails and play a stiffly-strung harp.

• How often does it need tuning? Once a new harp has settled in, a little is needed every time you play - about like a guitar. Avoiding big changes in temperature and humidity helps.

• Where can I get lessons? Through our “Try-a-Teacher” program, we pay for your first lesson. If we don’t have a teacher in your area, we’ll help you find one.

• How long does it take to get a harp? Our smaller models are sometimes available in 3 to 6 weeks. The larger harps are subject to a more intense schedule and can take a number of months.

• Which harp should I choose? Choose the one that calls most deeply to you. It is that passion which will make you play. Over time, most people want more bass notes, so choose one with the lowest bass string you can afford. Avoid cheap Pakistani and Chinese harps and similar. They don’t play well and your enthusiasm may wither and die. I’ve seen this happen and don’t say this of any other harps.

• Which string spacing should I get? If you’re going to do classical music, or work with a teacher who prefers pedal-harp spacing, traditional spacing is an option. It’s easier on the hands and is more facile.

• How do I change keys? Sharping levers (sharping blades on the metal-strung) raise the pitch of a string half a step – like a guitar fret. We use these to change keys and play outside the scale.

• How many levers should I get on my Butterfly? For most “Celtic” players, the most useful are the Fs and Cs; after that either the Bs or Gs. Past that, you might as well get a full set.

• When do I change strings? When they break - maybe one or two a year.

• Where do I get strings? We are also master string makers. Our Telynar Harp Strings are always available. We also do custom your strings.

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