PoppyHarp
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  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Online Harp School
  • Harp Tuition
  • Harp Clubs and Ensembles
  • Examinations
  • Weddings and Events
  • Harp Competition
  • Composers Project
  • Sheet music
  • Inspire Podcast
  • Harp Insurance
  • Harps for sale
  • Shop

Face-to-Face Lessons
or Online Private Lessons

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These lessons are taught by Fran Barsby at the Harp Studio in West Sussex.
​
​​
30 minutes = £25
​1 Hour = £50

Bulk buy discount:
Four 30 minute lessons = £80
(£20 per lesson)
Four 1 hour lessons = £160
​(40 per lesson)
(Bulk buy lessons are non-refundable) 
One month notice is required to stop lessons. 

More information about learning the harp with Special Educational needs
Limited Availability:
Tuesday
1pm-1:30pm, 
1:30pm-2pm,

Thursday 

1pm-1:30pm,
1:30pm-2pm

Sunday 
12-3pm
4:30pm-5pm
To book please email: [email protected]
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Members only area

Southern Music Project

Lessons and ensembles are taught by Fran Barsby on Monday evenings at the Pallant Centre, Havant.

​5:30 - Group lessons
6pm - Havant Harps Group 1
7pm - Hampshire Harp Ensemble
8pm - Havant Harps Group 2
​Private lessons also available. 
​

These lessons/groups must be booked directly through the Southern Music Project website

Online Harp School

PoppyHarp Online Harp School is a relaxed, flexible harp experience where you can learn how to play the harp at your own pace, 
from the comfort of your own home. 
With a more structured beginner experience leading to a flexible and extensive repertoire built for intermediate players you can learn as fast as you want, whenever you want, whilst being nurtured and guided by our videos and resources.
Click here to find out more
Access to all videos and tutorials (excluding pop) for just £25 a month

Performance Awards

Congratulations to all of the amazing
​PoppyHarp Performance Award Achievers!

Learn and perform 3 pieces of each PoppyHarp Level and earn a certificate and medal. FREE for students learning face-to-face, o
nline and all PoppyHarp Online harp School members.

Contact Fran [email protected] for more information.

Student ​Noticeboard

Bursaries:​
We are not affiliated with any of the following websites but advertise them as the work they do is amazing and if you are looking to continue your musical studies but are struggling financially they offer opportunities to keep your dream alive! Remember, if you work hard, are passionate and driven - you can achieve anything!!!
​Awards for Young Musicians 
The Clarsach Society £500  Bursary
​
National Arts Trust
UKHA Emerging Artsits
UKHA Creative Fund
​Youth Music
Student Competitions:
​

​PoppyHarp Competitive Harp Festival Online
Application Deadline: JANUARY 31st
Competition: March

Croydon Music Festival - Harp Section
Applicatioon Deadline: NOVEMBER
Competition: January/February


Bristol Festival of Music and Drama
Application Deadline: JANUARY 
Competition: March
​
United Kingdom Harp Competition - London

Application Deadline: APRIL 
Competition: MAY

Leamington Harp Competition

Application Deadline: APRIL 
Competition: JUNE

Litchfield Festival of Music
Application Deadline: SEPTEMBER
Competition: NOVEMBER

​
BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition

Application Deadline:  DECEMBER 
Competition: JUNE

Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year
Club Competitions Deadline: JANUARY
Area Competitions  - These vary depending on your area.
District Final - MARCH
National Final - APRIL
Harp Events:​
​

Edinburgh International Harp Festival - APRIL

Harp On Wight International Harp Festival - October
​
World harp congress:

Toronto, Canada in July 2026

UK Harp Association

I cant recommend this highly enough! Join the UK harp community and receive 2 magazines a year, get access to a huge music archive, free access to seminars on all things harp and more. They also have a great list of grants, bursaries and more for funding your harp. 
Click here to find out more

Fran Barsby's Qualifications

Research in Education Masters (MAEd) from Bath University: 2022
Bachelor of Arts with honours (BA Hons) from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire: 2016
DBS 2024
​CPD's: Data Protection and GDPR awareness: 2024, Cyber Security: 2024, Autism Awareness: 2024, Child Mental Health Awareness: 2024, Child Online Safety Awareness: 2024, Designated Safeguarding Lead (Adults), 2024, ​Designated Safeguarding Lead (Children),2024.

Free lessons


Finding a harp that's right for you: 


Renting a Harp

The positive of renting is that harps are expensive and you don't have to find a large sum of money initially. It can also be a good way to try a few harp makes and see which one you like best! There are numerous companies that rent harps but here are a few recommendations of mine: 

The Clarsach Society: 
https://www.clarsachsociety.co.uk/the-clarsach/clarsach-hire/ 
They have bases around the UK and when you have membership their harp hire is incredibly competitive. 

Pilgrim Harps: 
www.pilgrimharps.co.uk
Harps available to rent from PoppyHarp: 
(Only Available to PoppyHarp Students)
34-string Pilgrim Clarsach - £60 per month
34-string Pilgrim Clarsach Wave - £60 per month
Lap Harp - £25 a month

Purchasing a Harp

BUYING A HARP RECOMMENDATIONS
The positive of buying is that a reliably "good" harp that is well looked after holds its value and if you decide to move to another harp or stop playing they harp will hold its value.
Lever harps are a great way to start learning as you can achieve grade 8 on them and enjoy learning and professional playing.
The only thing they cannot do is orchestral playing and more chromatic music. 
Pedal Harps are the biggest and often referred to as orchestral harps or concert harps.
These harps are only really needed when you reach grade 5 (ish) and if you would like to perform in orchestras. 

Lever harp recommendations: 
Ideally you would get a 34 string harp. This will last up to grade 8.
I do not recommend student harps as it is more cost effective to purchase one harp and then keep that forever.

Pedal Harp recommendations: 
I do not recommend student harps as it is more cost effective to purchase one harp and then keep that forever.
Ideally find a 47-string pedal harp as this is full size and 
This is not an exhaustive list of options and I do not work for any of these companies. They are just companies I recommend.
For all your harp needs I recommend:
Bethan at The Harp Studio
Stockists of Salvi Harps, LLyon and Healy Harps and Pilgrim Harps
These harps are all reliable, serviceable in the UK and sound beautiful.
The different sizes and shapes of each model will also suit different body types
​and all harps sound different so I always recommend trying out the instruments before you buy. 
https://www.theharpstudio.co.uk
Being a harpist herself she can help advise you to find the best harp to suit you.
Having a large selection also means you can try a wide variety before choosing which harp suits you. 

Pilgrim Harps:
they sound great, 
lightweight,
good value,
look beautiful, 
come with a lifetime structural guarantee, 
perfect for beginners through to professionals
and they can be serviced in their workshop based in Surrey.

If you are thinking that harp might be your career in the future and you can stretch to an electroacoustic harp this would be the best way to go.
These harps are great for students and professionals alike so you will never need to buy another harp. ​

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​​PoppyHarp is run by harpist Fran Barsby.
Location: West Sussex
Please email: [email protected] for full address information
Copyright 'PoppyHarp Ltd' 2024