Customer Reviews

Music Maker Lap Harp

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I received this harp many years ago as a gift for Christmas. I loved it then, and had many happy hours learning how to play the different songs that are provided,
It is very easy to learn for children and once you have the basics of "tune" a child naturally starts to play music by memory and adapt other songs to the melodious harp on their own. You can also buy extra songs of different categories (Christmas, Christian, Folk, etc.)

The only caveat I see with this lap harp - is unfortunately a very problematic one. The strings on the harp are looped, and so two notes share one string (see picture) - Making it very difficult to keep the harp in tune for long
EX: Tightening one side can change the other, and thereby changing both notes. Only a few years into having it as a child, I lost the "tuning key" and was completely unable to tune it thereafter. [A wrench, pliars, etc strip the small studs]

I found my harp again in pristine condition from whence it was packed all these years, and it is still horribly out of tune. I will have to buy a tuning key from a music store - after a second try with pliers stripped the pegs yet again. Different tuning keys for different harps - so here's hoping!

I recommend the harp if you can KEEP your tuning key, or are adept at keeping it in tune easily. It is a wonderful learning tool, and fun musical instrument that is different than most.

An autoharp is something with keys you press to create chords while you strum a number of strings, like early country music star Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family used for years. This is not one of those. This item is a zither, on which you pluck one string at a time to produce one note. There IS a difference.

Having said that, I bought one of these a few years ago and found it very easy to use, thanks to the music sheets you can slide beneath the strings so you can see which strings to pluck. It's important to keep it in tune (it can get out of tune over use and/or time), but it's pleasant enough to listen to.

If you're just starting out to play music on a string instrument and find the guitar a little daunting, this isn't a bad way to begin learning. Just make sure you're getting one at the right price, and DON'T expect to play chords on it...it's not built for that.

My 7-year old son got this for Christmas, but it's fun for everyone in the family. He played with it quite a bit right away, but then he tightened a string a little too much and it broke. There is extra string (actually wire) included, so I was able to fix it without too much difficulty. But there's probably only enough string to do that one more time. Maybe it is simple to find at the hardware store, I don't know. That is the only problem we've had. I would still buy it again, we've really liked it.

I bought a Music Maker zither, or lap harp, twelve years ago, when my daughter was only 2. She immediately loved the instrument, could easily play beautiful music on it, and would take it with her to play for friends and family in their homes. Being a professional musician myself, I was so impressed that I decided to create an educational music curriculum for children, using these instruments! You can see my books here on Amazon. Just look for World of Harmony Music.

We bought this for our niece and our grandaughter. It was fun to see everyone, at all ages, picking up the instrument and playing it. The music cards that come with it were so self explanitory that anyone without music ability could do it. We are so happy to have the sound of strings in the home over this wonderful holiday. Every home should have musical instruments and this is a good coffee table item. Prior to giving this as a gift, pull out the tuner and extra string and give to the parents to put away without the children seeing it. I did fine tune before giving however it was only a little bit. If the children get the tuner tool, they can over screw and the string will break. You also might want to pull out the order sheet for extra cards and tuner instructions prior to gift giving. A case would be a great addition.

Got this little Zither (thats what it actually is) about a year ago as a gift. As an already experienced musician, I found it fun and charming, sounding like a waterfall to me. My family loves to hear it played, though they are not inclined to try it themselves. Good as an introductory instrument or as something just to strum peacefully at the end of a day. It's major drawback is tuning. I don't know what the design flaw is or if it is in the type of wood used, but whatever the flaw is - it allows the instrument to fall out of tune very quickly. One problem, I think, is the system whereby two notes share a string so that when one 'string' falls out of tune its twin does also. Fun and easy, but buy with caution and use with patience. I can't recommend it, but I would not discourage the purchase of it.

I bought this for my daughter when she was 7 and she is now 25. We take it out each year at Christmas and enjoy plucking out the notes to simple songs and caroles. We rarely tighten the strings (maybe we are all very tone deaf) but it always sounds so lovely we don't mess with the tuning key. I would highly recommend this for an individual with simple musical talents.

I just received my lap harp from this company and it is not the one shown in the picture. I chose this one because of its looks and because it didn't have a picture of birds on it. The one sent me has birds on it and does not have the different colored wood down both sides, which I really wanted. Many strings are tarnished, too. The pick is not the same; I wanted one for my grandson with a hole in the center, as shown, in order to attach it to the lap harp. Overall, I'm really disappointed with this seller and have asked for a refund.

This is a great Lap harp with nice sound. We also bought the Trophy Melody harp and it is not nearly as nice as this one. The sound is beautiful, the strings are strong. Would reccommend!

well, i was really looking forward to using this on some special recordings, not only did it come in so out of tune that its almost untunable due to the lack of a tuning key, which i never recieved and the strings are practically rusted. its going to cost me more to fix it then the item cost.