Taster Sessions

Can I try before I commit?
Of course! Just click the Golden Harmonica to the right of the screen, complete your details and select the Free Taster Session option on the registration form. You can also select your favourite harmonica colour (blue, black, pink or yellow subject to availability).

Confirmation of your Taster Session
KS2 Harp Girl 3When we receive your registration, we will call you for a quick chat before sending our confirmation email. Please keep the email safely as this explains how to sign up in full and will list ongoing lesson dates. We will bring your Taster Pack to school. This will contain your 4 hole harmonica and a music sheet with your first tune and the scale of C major mapped out. If anything in our confirmation email is unclear please contact us straight away.

Matthew NHL BCan I provide my own harmonica?
If you have your own harmonica you are welcome to bring it along. However, do let us know in advance so that we can check your harmonica is suitable; right type, right key, and in tune. For newcomers of all ages, our 4 hole Speedy harmonica is standard issue and the simplest way to get started. Children in Y3-6 will then need to upgrade to a 10 hole Suzuki Airwave to continue our KS2 music programme.

Subscribing in full
PRTP Kids' Stage 2015 iiAssuming your child enjoys their Taster Session, you will be ready to sign up. Let us know as soon as you have completed your Taster Session as we will need to organise ahead of your next session. Firstly, we will need your subscription for ongoing sessions as explained in our confirmation email. Secondly, you will need some essential music kit – harmonica, A4 pocket folder, small notebook and pen. Children in Reception and Y1-2 continue sessions using their 4 hole taster harmonica. Children in Y3-6 will need to order a 10 hole Suzuki Airwave harmonica for ongoing sessions. Parents can provide their own kit or order a Music Pack in our online Store. Finally, you just to let your child’s class teacher and the school office know you will now be attending sessions regularly.

Speedy BlueWhat if we don’t wish to sign up?
Please let us know so that we can offer your place to another child, and thank you for trying out. No need to return your taster harmonica – you can enjoy playing it at home!

Harmonica for 11-14 Yrs – Weekly Online Sessions

Join our online harp sessions for 11-14 yrs

Harp Academy is often asked if it offers harmonica coaching for players in Secondary Education 11-14 years (KS3/Middle School). With the help of Zoom, the answer is yes!

We now run a weekly online group on Mondays 4.45pm-5.30pm (UK time). Friendly and encouraging, our sessions feature warm up exercises, study pieces, instrument skills and easy music theory. We use a combination of harp tabs and standard notation, but an ability to read music is not essential. Attendees have access to our cloud folder where we keep a music diary and study materials.

If you’d like to try a free taster session, email us via our contacts page and we’ll send you the information you need. If you are happy with your taster experience, ongoing sessions are £10.00 each, payable half-termly (five sessions) in advance. Sessions are led by Richard Taylor, a leading expert in harmonica teaching for young people. Full safeguarding criteria are adhered to while online, as is diversity and inclusivity, and sessions are not recorded.

Autumn Term 2024 – Time to Sign Up!

Autumn 2024 
We launch our Autumn harmonica learning and club activities from 16th September 2024 and we very much hope you will join us. Our rates and payment options have not changed. Details of our teaching plan and theme are below.

First timer?
Welcome! We offer all newcomers a free Taster Session, which includes a free starter harmonica to keep. Simply click the Golden Harmonica on our homepage, complete your details, and we will email further information. Our email and this website explain what to do after your taster session, but feel free to ask any questions!

Back for more?
Termly subscriptions are £75.00 (10 sessions) payable in advance. You can also pay in two half termly instalments of £40.00 (5 sessions), payable ahead of your first and sixth sessions respectively.

Payments
Payment can be made by bank transfer, or through our Store using a credit/debit card (no need to log in). We regret that we are unable to accept childcare vouchers. Further information, including our account details, is available on our How To Pay page.

(more…)

SPECIAL OFFER – Earn 2 Free Lessons

Recommend a friend and receive 2 lessons free!
We all enjoy learning with our best friends, don’t we? Well this includes music making on the harmonica. If you have a friend who might be interested in a Free Taster Session, just ask them to click the Golden Harmonica (on the right of the screen), and register using our promotional code harmonaut. Special OfferWe’ll supply their starter harmonica and music sheet completely free. And if your friend then joins Harp Academy in full, we will credit you with two free lessons. That’s all there is to it!

Can I Join Mid-Term?

Can I join during the term?
Yes of course, as long as we have space! Please start the process by clicking our Gold Harmonica and registering your interest. GOLD HARP iiDon’t worry, this won’t commit you to lessons initially, it just tells us you’d like to know more. Select the Free Taster Session option and your preferred colour of starter harmonica. We’ll then give you a quick call and forward our Taster Session confirmation email. This provides full details of your Free Taster, and an outline of how to subscribe afterwards, assuming you’re happy with all the arrangements.

Will my child be able to catch up with the others in the group?
We’ll run through the basics during your taster session and you’ll be given a sheet to practise with at home. We also have support pages on our website for our newcomers. It really doesn’t take long to learn the ropes and start participating with confidence. Let your harmonica teacher know if you’d like them to slow down or repeat anything, to help you get the hang of it; they’re always happy to help you.

Is there anything else I need to know about getting started?
Just that you’ll need a bit of basic kit – a notebook and an A4 music folder (non-ring binder). KS1 children can continue using their 4 hole taster harmonicas. KS2 children will need to invest in a 10 hole harmonica in C major. You can provide these yourself, or else order them as individual items or a Music Pack through our store.

Signing up
When you’ve had your Free Taster and you’re ready to proceed, here’s how subscriptions work: You can choose to pay for the remainder of the term in full, or by monthly Standing Order instalments. All payments are made in advance.

Termly payments
The balance amount for the term will be in our confirmation email. You can pay by PayPal in our store, BACS, or over the phone by card (we no longer handle cash or cheques). Further details are also on our How To Pay website page.

Monthly instalments
If you join before the 15th of the month (our monthly instalment due date), you will need to settle for the remaining lessons that month and then set up your Standing Order for the 15th of the month. As an example, someone joining on 1st September would settle their individual lesson payments for September, then arrange their advance monthly Standing Order to start on 15th September (advance contribution for October).

If you join after the 15th, you will need to settle for the remaining lessons that month and the following month, before setting up your Standing Order for the 15th of the following month. As an example, someone joining on 21st September would settle their session payments for September and October, then arrange their advance monthly Standing Orders to start on 15th October.