A commercial enterprise in enchanted sounds

Photo by Harald Hohendorf

LAURA HODGES PLAYS A HARP IN HER STORE, ENCHANTED HARP.

The Enchanted Harp has been a downtown Puyallup fixture for 16 years.

“The shop opened originally because of the need for harp music and harp choices,” owner Laura Hodges said. “It opened as a resource for harpists and those who want to play. It is obvious there is an interest, but people do not know how to start or they think it is exclusive or expensive.”

Hodges and her husband, Brian, bought the shop from Laura’s sister and brother-in-law eight years ago. It is truly a family business. Laura is a third-generation harpist, and the Hodges’ son and niece also play.

“Other than Seattle, the closest shop to ours is located in Walnut Creek, California,” Brian said.

There are two types of harps – pedal and lever. Pedal harps have a foot pedal for each note on the scale and three positions – flat, natural and sharp. They have approximately 2,000 parts, 1,500 of which are moving. They range in price from about $10,000 upwards to $180,000. Carving can add another $4,000 to the price, and gold another $20,000. Lever harps function in a different manner; there are levers at the top of the strings that must be manipulated by the fingers.

The majority of harps are made from maple with a spruce soundboard. However, exotic woods, such as rosewood, zebrano, bubinga and ebony are also used. The option of a laser finish in exotic colors is a popular choice. This allows people to color match a harp to their home décor, or just to have something unique and different.

Electric harps function much the same as electric guitars, with add on pedals such as distortion, delay or any other effect available.

Harps are made all over the world, with the majority made in Europe. Laura’s brother has a workshop in Yelm, where he makes his own line of harps as well as custom harps to the Hodges’ specifications. He also performs major repairs, while Brian, whom Laura affectionately refers to as her “harp slave,” makes minor repairs.

The shop offers lessons to about 50 students, some coming from as far away as Port Townsend. Laura, an avid sports aficionado, is working on her second black belt in martial arts.

“You do not have to just play the harp. It does not have to be the only thing you do! Sports are not off limits,” she remarked. “I jokingly tell my students the little finger is the only finger that is not used to play, so if they are going to injure a finger, that is the one to injure.”

Learning to play does not involve a large financial investment. Lessons normally occur weekly, and cost $80 for 30 minutes.

“It is not difficult,” Laura emphasized. “It is a pleasant instrument to learn because it sounds good right away.”

Students can also rent harps. Rental prices range from $30 to $75 a month. The shop carries a wide variety of sheet music, more than 500 titles. There are also more than 100 recordings. Most people are used to the traditional Celtic or classical versions, but harp music is adaptable to all kinds of music – from jazz to Tex/Mex and a variety of experimental styles.

Harp music is available for weddings and other events at reasonable prices. There is a wedding package that starts at $300. For events, the charge is $175 for the first hour, and $125 for each subsequent hour.

The Enchanted Harp is located at 204 Meridian Ave. S., in the heart of downtown Puyallup. For more information, call (253) 770-0550 or visit http://www.enchantedharp.com.

Commenting rules