I receive e-mails every so often from individuals wondering how best to market their used harps. This is my secret list of top resources.
- HarpMall.com
This is a free option that advertises world-wide. The majority of the listings are in the US. - HarpColumn.com
This site gets quite a bit of traffic and has, shall we say, a more sophisticated air than HarpMall. A good option which is also free. - Craigslist
I know it’s sketchy, but I’ve met many lovely people who purchased their harps off Craigslist. You could even utilize the new “Swap Spots” set up by the police in Hennepin County, MN. - MN Chapter of the American Harp Society
Currently the chapter has a free classifieds section on their website where you can create and manage a listing. They also release a newsletter every other month during the school year. If you are located in Minnesota, consider sending them a listing and a photo: MNHarpSociety at hotmail.com . - Local harp teachers
E-mail them directly. They may have students looking for a used instrument. It’s good to include the harp’s maker, age, number of strings, a photo, and details like whether it has levers, etc. - Groth Music in Bloomington
This lovely music store sells harps on consignment. Instruments must be in good condition, priced competitively, and whether they take it depends on their current stock. Groth asked 25% of the amount the harp sells for. - Ask a friend
Ask any harpists you may know if they’d like to buy it. Ask them if they have friends who’d like to buy it. Ask your friends if they have friends who play harp. You never know who knows someone that might help you. I acquired a beautiful little harp this way, from a former co-worker’s step-fathers’ ex-tenant. - And finally…
Consider donating your harp to a local high school or middle school. Many young harpists never get to play in a band or orchestra because their school doesn’t have a harp and it takes so much effort to transport a harp to school every day. By donating your harp, you could make it possible for harpists to gain valuable and fun experience making music as part of a group! Also, depending on the school, you might be able to write off the donation on your taxes.
Of course, you could always consider keeping that harp of yours and taking lessons…
You might also enjoy reading: Three Places to Find a Harp in St. Paul/Minneapolis.
Stephanie Claussen teaches harp lessons out of her home in St. Paul, Minnesota. She strives to ingrain in each student not only correct hand position, rhythm and a sense of musicality, but also a love for making music.