Traditional Harp School

The Traditional Harp School is about learning the harp from the Gaelic and Gallic (Irish and Celtic) traditions of the British Isles that have evolved and thrived here for millennia. The distinctive ‘traditional’ approach involves ‘training by ear’ prioritising creative, flexible and social music making over the visual and literacy-centred method of Classical art music method that was the formal standard from the 1800s. In the Traditional approach to musicianship, literacy follows learning (rather than preceding it).

Over a pioneering era of 40 years, Janet Harbison evolved a structured method of Traditional Harp learning that has proved its value and laid the foundation for harping in Ireland today. Many of the nation’s leading exponents emerged from her school and harp orchestras – and many now direct their own teaching practises and harp ensembles. The Traditional Harp School method is widely used throughout the world and has recently developed to an 8-graded system facilitating students wishing to mark their progress against average year’s attainment of skills and repertoire. What is assured is that The Traditional Harp School equips young and old of all abilities with all that is necessary to bring a life-time of cultural belonging, friendship through music and joy to themselves and our world-wide community.