From Beginner to Beautiful: What to Expect in Your First Discover The Harp Workshop
Have you ever dreamed of playing the harp, but wondered whether it would be too difficult to begin?
A harp can look enchanting and sophisticated, yet your first steps need not be intimidating. Discover The Harp workshops are designed especially for complete beginners, offering a warm, practical and encouraging introduction to this beautiful instrument.
Over three inspiring hours, you will learn to play your first tunes by ear, discover how a harp works and leave with your very own handcrafted Welsh Discovery 16 harp to continue enjoying at home. No musical experience is required, and you do not need to read music.
Let your journey begin.
What is a Discover The Harp workshop?
A Discover The Harp workshop is a complete beginner’s introduction to playing the harp. Courses typically run from 10am until 1pm and are deliberately kept small so that every participant receives personal support.
The workshops are led by Musical Director Helen-Elizabeth, alongside harp maker Paul and assistant tutors from Cambrian Harp School. Helen-Elizabeth brings 25 years of teaching experience to the sessions, together with an impressive range of qualifications and professional experience:
- BA Hons
- DipABRSM
- CTABRSM
- AISoM (Ed)
- Head of harp at the International School of Musicians
- Studied under renowned harp professor David Watkins
Her teaching is friendly and accessible, while retaining the structure and standards of a recognised musical education programme. The aim is not simply to let you try a harp for a few minutes, but to give you a strong, enjoyable foundation for continuing your harp lessons afterwards.
No musical experience? Perfect.
You do not need to read music, understand music theory or play another instrument before attending. The course is taught by ear, allowing you to focus on listening, feeling the rhythm and enjoying the sound beneath your fingers.
During the morning, you will be guided through:
- How to sit comfortably with the harp
- How to position your hands
- How to place your fingers on the strings
- How to produce a clear, beautiful tone
- Simple rhythms and patterns
- Your first melodies and accompanying parts
- Playing together with the rest of the group
The teaching method is carefully paced. You will not be expected to master everything at once. Instead, each small success builds your confidence until you realise that you are making music.
One participant described the experience perfectly:
“I had an amazing time : can't believe how much you can pick up in a first lesson.”
Your morning with the harp: what to expect
Arrive, meet your tutors and discover your instrument
When you arrive, your handcrafted Discovery 16 harp will be waiting for you. This compact Welsh harp is designed to be approachable for new players, while offering a rich, resonant sound that makes every first note feel special.
Paul, the harp maker, and the teaching team will introduce you to the instrument and explain its main features. You will learn how to hold and position the harp comfortably before beginning to explore the strings.
Learn your first notes
The first part of the session concentrates on creating a relaxed hand position and a clear tone. You will learn how the strings are arranged and begin to recognise the notes through listening and repetition.
Because the workshop is taught by ear, there is no pressure to follow printed notation. You can concentrate on the physical experience of playing: the gentle resistance of the string, the vibration through the soundboard and the distinctive sustained tone of a Welsh harp.
Build notes into tunes
Once you are comfortable with the basic technique, your tutor will guide you towards simple musical patterns and melodies. By the end of the morning, you may be surprised by how many tunes you can play.
Depending on the venue, the repertoire may include:
- Simple rounds
- Ode to Joy
- All Through the Night
- Auld Lang Syne
- Popular classical melodies
- Traditional folk tunes
- Local favourites connected with the area
The group often plays together, creating a gentle ensemble sound. It is a magical moment: a room full of people who may never have touched a harp before suddenly making music together.
Complete your first recognised qualification
By the end of the workshop, you will complete the ISoM Step 1 Harp qualification through the International School of Musicians. This is an Ofqual-recognised qualification and provides a meaningful first milestone in your musical journey.
The Discovery 16 can also support further study through the International School of Musicians pathway, giving you the opportunity to continue developing your skills after the workshop.
What do you take home?
Discover The Harp workshops are designed to give you everything you need to continue practising after your first morning.
Your booking includes:
- Your own handcrafted Discovery 16 harp, made in Wales
- A tuning key
- The Discover The Harp digital education pack
- PDF workbook materials
- Instructional videos
- Your ISoM Step 1 Harp qualification
- Three hours of expert, beginner-friendly tuition
Each harp is hand-built to order, making advance booking essential. This is particularly important for the Bishton Hall and Bolton workshops, where your own handmade Welsh harp is prepared for you to take home and keep.
One previous participant said:
“I loved learning to play the harp on Saturday, such a great course, excellent value for money, lovely surroundings. Love my harp!”
Who can attend?
Discover The Harp workshops are suitable for ages 16 and over. Under-16s with musical experience may attend when accompanied by an adult throughout the session.
Numbers are strictly limited to ensure a supportive learning environment and sufficient individual attention. You do not need to own a harp before attending, and there is no audition or previous musical requirement.
All you need is curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to try something new.
Upcoming Discover The Harp workshops
The following courses are currently available. If you are looking for the greatest choice of places, Bishton Hall and Bolton currently have the most availability.
1. Bishton Hall, Staffordshire : Sunday 11 October 2026
Book Discover The Harp at Bishton Hall
Set within a stunning Georgian estate, Bishton Hall offers an elegant and atmospheric setting for your first harp experience. Enjoy the beauty of its historic interiors and expansive grounds while learning on your own Welsh-made instrument.
- Date: Sunday 11 October 2026
- Time: 10am–1pm
- Location: Bishton Hall, Staffordshire
- Suitable for: Complete beginners
- Includes: Your own handmade Welsh Discovery 16 harp to keep, tuning key, digital education pack and ISoM Step 1 qualification
This course currently has the most availability. Book soon to secure your place and allow time for your harp to be hand-built to order.
2. Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham : Saturday 17 October 2026
View the Discover The Harp courses
Tŷ Pawb is a vibrant arts and community hub in the heart of Wrexham. This course offers the opportunity to discover the harp in a welcoming North Wales setting surrounded by creativity and community.
- Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
- Location: Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- Suitable for: Complete beginners
- Format: Three-hour Discover The Harp workshop
3. Totaleigh Music, Tywyn : Saturday 7 November 2026
Book the Totaleigh Music workshop
Learn in the welcoming surroundings of Totaleigh Music on Tywyn High Street, overlooking the beautiful Welsh coast.
- Date: Saturday 7 November 2026
- Time: 10am–1pm
- Location: Totaleigh Music, High Street, Tywyn, LL36 9AD
- Suitable for: Complete beginners
- Includes: Welsh-made Discovery 16 harp, tuning key, digital education pack and ISoM Step 1 qualification
4. Wild & Fruity Community Garden, Bolton : Saturday 13 February 2027
Book Discover The Harp in Bolton
Make your Valentine’s weekend especially memorable with an unusual and creative musical experience at Wild & Fruity Community Garden.
- Date: Saturday 13 February 2027
- Time: 10am–1pm
- Location: Moorside Avenue, Bolton, BL1 5RJ
- Price: £199 per person
- Includes: Your own handmade Welsh Discovery 16 harp to keep, three hours of tuition, digital education pack and ISoM Step 1 accreditation
This course currently has strong availability. Book in advance because each harp is hand-built to order.
After the workshop, Bolton students can continue learning locally with harp teacher Christina and the Silver Strings programme, providing a clear and friendly next step.
5. St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney : Tuesday 6 July 2027
Book Discover The Harp on Orkney
This will be the third Discover The Harp course on Orkney, held at the St Magnus Centre in Kirkwall. Each participant will receive a personalised Discovery 16 featuring an Orkney design engraved on the soundboard: a map of the Orkney isles alongside an Orcadian symbol.
- Date: Tuesday 6 July 2027
- Time: 10am–1pm
- Location: St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney
- Includes: Personalised Orkney-design Discovery 16, tuning key, digital education pack and ISoM Step 1 qualification
- Booking deadline: 1 June 2027, to allow time for harp construction
Begin your harp journey
Your first workshop does not need to be perfect. It simply needs to be your beginning.
In three welcoming hours, you can learn your first melodies, meet other new players, gain an internationally recognised first qualification and take home a beautifully made Welsh harp that is ready for your next chapter.
Discover the secrets of the harp, choose your venue and book before places : and hand-built instruments : run out.
Explore all current Discover The Harp workshops or book your place at Bishton Hall or Bolton today.