Harp Moving
Many students don't have to move their harp much at first. However, as performance opportunities increase, the need to move an instrument increases as well. Harps vary widely in size, anywhere from three to six feet tall, so this can be quite a different experience depending on the size of the instrument. For small and easy to manage instruments, a lot of moving is common sense - keep the harp covered and be careful not to bump into things while carrying it. Moving a larger harp takes some more strategy.
Below you'll find a quick written overview and then three in-depth videos, each looking at a different aspect of the moving process with different sizes of instruments.
A Quick Overview:
•First, put any levers down or pedals up, so the harp is ready to be moved. Then cover your harp or put it into its case. If you don't have any sort of cover, you can wrap your harp in a blanket to protect it.
•Carry the harp securely. Depending on the size of the harp, you can do this alone or with a friend. You want to take your time and make sure you have a good grip. Be careful going through doorways and down narrow hallways.
•If you have a large harp, you might consider a harp cart or dolly of some sort. This can make moving a harp much smoother.
•Place your harp carefully in the car. It can be helpful to put down blankets or cushions so that you don't scratch the harp as you move it in or out of the car. The most important thing with transporting a harp by car is to make sure that it is securely fastened and won't slide around or tip during the drive, so you might put in on the floor of the backseat, in the trunk, or laying down flat with all of the seats folded.
•Throughout the moving process, avoid having the harp in really hot or cold situations. If you would be uncomfortable with the temperature, then your harp definitely will be. You don't want to leave your harp in a stifling or freezing car for any length of time.
•Once you arrive, reverse the process to unload the harp and carry it to its place.
•One great thing about moving your harp is that then you get to play your own instrument. Pianists don't have to move pianos around, but then sometimes they're stuck playing really old and out of tune instruments!
How to Cover and Uncover a Harp
The first step to moving a harp is to cover it, which is shown here with three different sizes of instruments.
How to Wheel or Carry a Harp
After covering, you're ready to move your harp around! Again, three different sizes of harps are shown here.
How to Load a Harp in a Vehicle
See how to load three different sizes of harps into a vehicle in a variety of ways.