What if I do not like the harp? What if I find out I am terrible? What if I end up not having time to learn? What if ...
Getting started on the harp often equates to a leap of faith into the unknown. It is expensive, and often, people do not know if they will stick with it long enough to make the investment worth it. Fortunately, here are a few tips or pieces of information to help offset these concerns. (Each of these tips are based on the presumption that you are going to try the harp but not stick with it.)
Tip #1 - Don't Go Cheap: Think Ahead
It is perfectly normal to get into harping tentatively due to the cost. However, many people try to offset this expensive joy by finding an inexpensive harp. Without hesitation, I can state that this is often a mistake. There is a difference between a good deal and cheap. The key difference is resale value.
Good news! Harps typically do not lose much value and can even appreciate over time if well taken care of. For example, my parents bought my first pedal harp for around $8,500, and it is now worth several thousand dollars more. However, it does depend on the quality of the harp! That is why you should not go cheap.
Frequently, I use the example of my harp Rosie. Rosie exemplifies what it means to be a cheap harp. She does not cost a lot, even brand new. She's also been well kept and is in the same condition as she was brand new (Hint: foreshadowing). However, while her maker is recognized for beautifully crafted harps for not terrible amounts of money, she has a number of flaws: poor sound quality, poor tuning pin tolerances, and poor build quality. Some of her levers are installed crooked!
In conclusion, while it may be difficult to spend thousands of dollars on an investment that you're unsure about, when it comes to reselling the harp, you will have a lot more success if you have a harp that someone wants to buy. What harps of those? They vary quite a bit - even within one brand or maker. However, I typically recommend Lyon & Healy Troubadours, Preludes, et cetera. Camac and Salvi also make some beautiful harps. Even so, consider getting a model about base. For example, I have heard a number of Lyon & Healy Ogdens (the base model of lever harps), and some are just fine but some sound tinny. Thus, they have earned a reputation of needing to be tried before bought. One last suggestion: I suggest you look at Harp Wanted ads on Facebook groups, harp magazines, harp websites, et cetera. Then, look at general For Sale ads. Are the listings quick to be removed from having been sold? For example, I know of a harp that was listed somewhat locally to me. It was a good brand, but it just was not selling ... for over a year! Come to find out from someone I know who went to look at it, it had been poorly taken care of and its sound was not that great.
Tip #2 - Reliable Renting
This tip is well-known, so I won't spend long on it. If you're unsure of your interest, rent a harp to start. Many manufacturers, harp stores, and teachers rent out harps. You can also find ads of people local to you on Facebook, Craigslist, and more about renting out harps.
Tip #3 - Don't Invest in Gear
Thanks to cookies and trackers, once you begin exploring harps, you will be inundated with the "Oh, you will need _____ now!" ads. Don't fall for it. Here is a list of things that are mandatory to have as a beginner.
Harp
Tuning Key
Tuner
Soft cloth for dusting
Stand for harp (only if needed due to size)
Music stand
Yes, that is it. Really. Do not even buy beginner music until you know what to get. Some beginner books are universally great and others are designed for kids, people who have other musical experience outside the harp, or people who cannot read one note. What you will get should be tailored to your needs. Often, if you are buying a harp new, they will ask you if you want a travel case in lieu of a dust cover. Typically, most beginner harpists without prior musical background take several years to get to the point where they play for other people at an actual venue. So, for now, the dust cover it comes with is sufficient. I should note that some smaller harps do not come with a dust cover. That is fine; just keep a soft microfiber cloth handy for dusting.
Tip #4 - It Never Hurts to Ask: Freebies!
There are two primary freebies for which you should always ask. First, if you are buying a harp from a store, ask if you can get any free music, gear, or strings for purchasing there. They may say no, especially if you're buying used, but if you ask politely without expectation, you never know! The other freebie I recommend regards harp lessons. Ask a prospective harp teacher for a free lesson. This allows you to get a glimpse into the harp world before committing and also see what their teaching style is (for more info, see my article about finding the right teacher).
Well, as the classic cartoon goes, "That's all folks!" Happy harping!