European Expressions Intl Lap Harp Music Maker Toy

This took about a month to get to me. I ordered it towards the end of November and didn't get it until December 20th. Then when I tried to play it, it was VERY out of tune. Adjoining strings sounded the same note. The scale sheet was way in the back of the pile, so I had no idea what the strings were supposed to sound like until I played through some songs sounding very off key and then found the scale and tuning sheet. They give you a tuning tool that you slip over the pegs to tighten or loosen them to find the right pitch. I have experience tuning guitars and playing instruments, so I know what the scale should sound like. I had to tune nearly every string on it, and it took me a while. I don't think someone who was not already familiar with scales and playing music would be able to do it. I think this is a good gift for someone who understands music to give to someone trying to learn music. They can tune it up and explain the notes. The note sheets are printed with the notes tied in a line, so you can follow the right order and read the rhythym by the type of note. It is two octaves in the key of G. It has a nice tone. It is nicely crafted of polished wood,and the top is laquered and painted with a stencil. It comes from Belarus, so it is like having a folk craft item. The tone is very bright and ringing. It is fun to play. You get twelve songs to start with, but you can go through those fast and want more, which look to be kind of expensive at $12 for 20. I guess it is a good instrument to help you learn to play by ear though. It comes in a box, which I would keep to keep it in. That will keep the dust off and keep it from getting knocked out of tune. It seems there is also a carrying bag available for this. I would say it is worth the money because it is like a real instrument. It is good quality and not too big or heavy. It is just sturdy enough and small enough to be nice to hold in your lap and play.

This started in one of those internet byways with the mention of a kantele, a Finnish version of a harp, which led to a hognose psaltery kit. But then I found I could get my feet wet for less than half the price with one of these. It was a little out of tune when delivered, which is only to be expected. Also, the one i got was made in Mexico, not Belarus, so the logo around the sound hole says 'Music Maker'. No big deal for what it is. I used both a Snark and an old Sabine STX-1100 to tune it. Either work well but clipping the Snark on one of the posts is easier than balancing the Sabine. I am used to geared tuners on guitars, banjos, and dulcimers so the direct method is a little touchier. You definitely do not want to crank on the pins like you are winding up a clock. A barely perceptible change gets the job done. I assume any other instrument like a zither will be the same as far as the mechanics go. The instrument holds the tune as well as can be expected. I've played stringed instruments for most of my life and they go out of tune. Touching it up is no worse than doing my 12 string. Because of the pegs, close is good enough. With the Snark you can drive yourself nuts trying to get rid of those last couple of side bars. I played with a couple of the included cards. They work and would be good for kids. Along with the string stuff I also play tin whistle and Irish flute. This is where it really shines. A lot of the Celtic material is in either D or G and tends to be diatonic using the different modes fo rthe feel of the piece. For G the instrument is a natural. It's relatively easy to keep track of where you are since the G notes are the top, the bottom, and centered on the sound hole. There is enough range that sight transposing D pieces hasn't proven to be a problem. Since the D whistles and flutes have both C and C# there are a few pieces that use both. The tone is pleasant, if quiet. The provided flat pick or finger picks add a little volume. You can also play chords by damping the strings not in the chord like a non-auto autoharp. All in all it's a fun little instrument and not a toy. Don't let the low price fool you. After all, some of the best tin whistle players use $10 Clarkes. On the plus side, it's a lot more portable than a folk harp, even the smaller ones. I'm curious how it would sound with a pickup.

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.

My daughter has loved playing this lap harp. It sounds great and the music is easy to follow and learn to play. I loved the great variety of songs available and we ended up purchasing several of the music packs that you can buy for the instrument. The instrument itself shipped rather quick, but it did take a little longer to receive the music packs. Overall, my only complaint was that the instrument loses its intonation rather quickly. I thought this problem would go away once we had used the strings for a few days and while it has certainly gotten better, it is taking much longer than I thought. It also seems to be the same strings that lose their intonation quickly which leads me to believe that it may be due to a lose tuning key or two. That is my only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.