I have been teaching harp since I came
to Chicago for college, and over that
time I've had students whose ages
range from four to seventy-five. It is
clear to me that at whatever level of
committment my students are able to
bring to it, the harp is an enriching
presence in their lives. The rewards of
playing a musical instrument are great
and well-documented, and I believe
they are particularly great with this
ancient, storied instrument. To read about
my qualifications, training, and professional
affiliations, click on about Courtney.
Chicago harpist
Courtney Lawhn
and students
Why music lessons?
The effects of music lessons on the
developing minds of children of all ages are
well-documented and include increased
analytical ability and concentration. Adults
benefit as well, due to the challenge of
learning a new skill and the relaxing sound
of the harp in particular.
First, unlike most instruments (violin, flute,
etc.), the harp can play more than one note
at a time. Like a piano, the harp doesn't just
play a melody, but all of the notes that
accompany the melody, too, so the harp is
totally self-contained. Second, with most
instruments, it is very difficult to play even
one note with a good sound and in tune
from the very beginning; due to the way the
harp is played, however, it sounds good
right away, meaning no one will mind
hearing the new harpist practice around the
house!
Many people who hear or see the harp
believe it must be an extremely difficult
instrument to play and that, in order to
attempt the harp, one must already know
how to read music or even to play the piano
(whose written music looks very similar to
the harp's). However, the harp is actually a
wonderful first instrument - it requires no
previous musical knowledge, and the
learning curve is quite gradual.
Do you need any musical background
(such as piano) to be able to learn the
harp?
Although my private studio is almost full, I
have openings in my studios for either
traditional or Suzuki method lessons at the
Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston and
the Sherwood Conservatory of Music in the
south loop, downtown Chicago. Trial
lessons are available. Registration and
other information is available on their
websites; click the above links to open
either website in a new window.
Isn't the harp an impossibly large and
expensive instrument?
What is the Suzuki method, and how is
it different from traditional lessons?
Which is best for my child?
This one is too big to answer here! Suffice
it to say, the Suzuki method of learning to
play music was created based on the way
that very young children learn to speak
their native language, by listening and
imitation. Suzuki lessons also require a
great deal of parental involvement, from
presence in the lessons to practicing with
the child. In addition to private lessons, my
Suzuki harp students at the Music Institute
of Chicago and the Sherwood Conservatory
of Music participate in group classes and
recitals in which they experience the fun of
cooperating and making music together.
Where can I find a harp to rent or buy?
Living in the Chicago area is a fortunate
thing for harpists, since some of the world's
great harp manufacturers are based here.
One in particular has a rental program for
their folk harps. Also, there are many harp
makers with sites on the web who sell harps
that cost little more than what a few years
of renting would. So, harps are easier to
come by than one might think; when you
contact me for lessons, we can figure out
the option that best suits your needs.
The concert grand harp played by
professionals like myself is indeed large
(over six feet tall), and as expensive as a
new car. However, harps come in countless
shapes and sizes, and the harps most
people start on are about three feet tall
from the floor. These are known as folk
harps, and they are for the most part light
and portable, and far more affordable. Folk
harps are great instruments alone, but they
also give a good foundation for a concert
grand harp for very serious students.
