European Expressions Intl Lap Harp Music Maker Toy

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Purchase options and add-ons

Brand Music Maker
Size Original
Item dimensions L x W x H 15.5 x 8.5 x 1.75 inches
Top Material Type Birch Wood
Back Material Type Birch Wood
String Material Type Alloy Steel
Finish Type Lacquered
Instrument Zither, Lap Harp
Item Weight 1.5 Pounds
Operation Mode Acoustic

About this item

  • PLAY BEAUTIFUL MUSIC INSTANTLY: Anyone can play the music maker regardless of experience. Simply slide a song sheet in the player and pluck the strings and you are a musician.
  • HANDMADE ARTISAN QUALITY: Made of ash and specially selected hardwoods. Because it is handmade, each Music Maker is unique. There is no other in the world exactly like it.
  • INSTANTLY ENJOY THE MUSIC YOU CREATE: Includes 12 songs, pick, tuner and spare wire. Comes tuned for immediate enjoyment. A wide variety of additional song sheets are available.
  • WONDERFUL FOR THERAPY AND TEACHING: In schools, nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers...and in hundreds of thousands of homes across the world the music maker is bringing joy
  • SIMPLE TO TUNE AND MAINTAIN: Tuning and string replacement can be done with ease at home. Hand made in Belarus.

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European Expressions Intl Lap Harp Music Maker Toy
This item: European Expressions Intl Lap Harp Music Maker Toy
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WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

What's in the box

  • 12 song sheets
  • Pick
  • Wire
  • Tuner

    • Product Description

    Product Description

    The Music Maker lets people play beautiful music--regardless of prior musical experience--by simply sliding a songsheet under the strings and plucking the string above each printed note. It's really that easy! That ease of play, combined with the quality construction, is what makes the Music Maker a top seller every year. Made in Mexico by a family-owned company that has been making high-quality musical instruments for three generations.Includes 12 songs, pick, tuner and spare wire. Comes tuned for immediate enjoyment! The Logo on the Music Maker is Cyrillic, the Russian alphabet. Phonetically pronounced, it sounds like "Pyer-uh-puh-losh-ka." This is the name of a small, sweet-singing bird that lives in Belarus. This little bird only sings its song when it flies high in the sky. People hear its song, but due to the bird's tiny size, cannot see it. To people below it's as if the sky itself were singing. When factory workers first heard the Music Maker's sound over a hundred years ago, they decided to name their instrument after this little bird.

    From the Manufacturer

    A high quality introduction to the joy of music. Anyone can play - just slide a songsheet under the strings and pluck the string around each printed note. It's that easy. Made of quality hardwoods. "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio" Platinum Winner

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    European Expressions Intl Lap Harp Music Maker Toy
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    Price$49.99$43.63$56.99$35.99$99.99
    Delivery
    Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 29
    Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 29
    Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 29
    Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 29
    —
    Customer Ratings
    4.54.5 out of 5 stars953
    4.24.2 out of 5 stars49
    4.64.6 out of 5 stars98
    4.44.4 out of 5 stars70
    4.44.4 out of 5 stars1,285
    Easy to learn
    4.7
    4.7
    4.3
    4.0
    4.0
    For beginners
    —
    4.8
    4.6
    4.0
    4.0
    Value for money
    4.5
    —
    4.9
    —
    4.7
    Craftsmanship
    —
    4.4
    4.2
    2.8
    —
    Sold By
    Bel-Bel Enterprises
    Amazon.com
    HMe-commerce
    Mulucky music
    DonnerDirect
    instrument
    Zither, Lap Harp
    Harp, Guitar, Ukulele
    Harp
    Harp
    Harp
    size
    Original
    17 Strings Thumb Lyre Harp
    Lyre Harp 16 Strings
    7 String
    16 Strings
    number of strings
    15
    17
    16
    7
    16
    operation mode
    Acoustic
    Manual
    Manual
    Manual
    Manual
    top material
    Birch Wood
    beech
    Mahogany
    Mahogany
    Mahogany
    back material
    Birch Wood
    Wood
    Mahogany
    Mahogany
    Mahogany
    string material
    Alloy Steel
    Stainless Steel
    Stainless Steel
    m-steel
    Alloy Steel

    Looking for specific info?

    Customer reviews

    4.5 out of 5 stars
    4.5 out of 5
    953 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the gift-giving possibilities of the lap harp. They say it's a great instrument for kids and adults alike, and a perfect way to introduce children to music. They also appreciate the comfort, ease of use, and sound quality. However, some customers have reported issues with the tuning and quality.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    Select to learn more
    Ease of useSound qualityComfortGiftMusic contentAppearanceQualityTuning
    96 customers mention "Ease of use"83 positive13 negative

    Customers find the stringed instrument easy to use. They mention it's fun, relaxing, and easy to learn. They also say the note cards make it extremely simple to start making music almost immediately. Customers also appreciate the song sheets, saying they make it easy to catch on quickly. They say the instrument has a nice sound and is easy enough to re-tune.

    "...It was very easy to tune (for me). By the way, I tuned it by ear. And, - I don't have a musical degree, I learned to play a piano myself...." Read more

    "The cards that slide underneath the strings make it super easy to use. Mine came VERY out of tune and it took me a while to get it back in tune...." Read more

    "...Otherwise fun and easy to learn, and sounds good." Read more

    "...I'm enjoying the relaxation of playing music again. It is so easy to use that I showed a friend (no music background whatsoever) and she went from..." Read more

    96 customers mention "Sound quality"90 positive6 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the lap harp. They mention that it sounds very sweet, melodic, and pleasant. Some say that the music sheets are nice, but the size seems a bit off. Overall, most are happy with the product's sound quality and recommend it to others.

    "...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...." Read more

    "...This harp sounds amazing and plays well. It arrived with a metal tuning key, an extra string, a pluck, and sample music sheets...." Read more

    "...The tone is pleasant, if quiet. The provided flat pick or finger picks add a little volume...." Read more

    "This little lap harp sounds nice (for the money), and holds its tuning surprisingly well...." Read more

    56 customers mention "Comfort"56 positive0 negative

    Customers find the stringed instrument comfortable to play. They say it's easy to learn, sturdy, and provides tons of satisfaction from playing music. Customers also say it is a wonderful gift and great for all ages.

    "...It is fun to play...." Read more

    "...The tone is pleasant, if quiet. The provided flat pick or finger picks add a little volume...." Read more

    "...Fun instrument." Read more

    "...Not sure if mine was defective or if this is normal. Otherwise fun and easy to learn, and sounds good." Read more

    40 customers mention "Gift"40 positive0 negative

    Customers find the lap harp a great gift for children and adults alike. They say it's a perfect gift to introduce children to music. Customers also say it makes a wonderful birthday gift and is a good activity for children.

    "...It is just sturdy enough and small enough to be nice to hold in your lap and play." Read more

    "...Lovely to play, wonderful gift." Read more

    "It's a beautiful instrument, grandchildren learned fast. Using for relaxation and grandchildren." Read more

    "...Together made a great birthday gift." Read more

    21 customers mention "Music content"18 positive3 negative

    Customers like the music content of the stringed instruments. They say the selection of music it came with is nice, and that the music sheets are easy to follow. They also say that there are additional music sheets that can be purchased to play the harp. Overall, customers find the product to be a good intro to playing music, and say the sound is less far more.

    "...arrived with a metal tuning key, an extra string, a pluck, and sample music sheets. I've already played them all...." Read more

    "Gave to my 7 year old granddaughter for Christmas. She could play songs immediately. Tuning wasn't perfect but pretty close right out of the box...." Read more

    "...The fun: my preschooler likes it, it is a good intro to playing music, and the sound is less far more pleasant than 99.9% of toys out there." Read more

    "...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...." Read more

    19 customers mention "Appearance"19 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the stringed instruments. They mention that it is well designed, beautiful, and does not look cheap. Some customers also say that the harps are cool and beautifully polished.

    "...It is nicely crafted of polished wood,and the top is laquered and painted with a stencil...." Read more

    "...I'm glad I bought this lap harp. It's a quality lap harp, doesn't look cheap, and beautifully polished...." Read more

    "Simply lovely to look at and listen to...." Read more

    "...But its a beautiful instrument visually and is a lot of fun to play. Wish it came with more songs though." Read more

    82 customers mention "Quality"47 positive35 negative

    Customers are mixed about the quality of the stringed instruments. Some mention it's good quality and not too big or heavy, while others say that it'll break easily. The box it comes in is very flimsy and doesn't protect it very well. Some customers also mention that the bottom 2 strings came untuned and the box was badly damaged.

    "...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." Read more

    "...If the children get the tuner tool, they can over screw and the string will break...." Read more

    "...This harp sounds amazing and plays well. It arrived with a metal tuning key, an extra string, a pluck, and sample music sheets...." Read more

    "...assume you will need to tune it.........I could detect that 2 strings were out of tune........but after downloading the tuner....I found none were..." Read more

    106 customers mention "Tuning"25 positive81 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the tuning of the stringed instruments. They mention that it falls slightly out of tune more easily than a more expensive instrument, and that it takes very small adjustments to tune. Some say that the tuning keys do not stay on key and tend to shift around.

    "...Then when I tried to play it, it was VERY out of tune. Adjoining strings sounded the same note...." Read more

    "...She could play songs immediately. Tuning wasn't perfect but pretty close right out of the box...." Read more

    "...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...." Read more

    "After you tune this harp, it quickly becomes in-tuned. Not sure if mine was defective or if this is normal...." Read more

    Won’t stay tuned for two seconds.
    1 out of 5 stars
    Won’t stay tuned for two seconds.
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    Top reviews from the United States

    Babb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sounds like a harp
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    58 people found this helpful
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    Jeanna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love the harp! It's amazing.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2016
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    I love this lap harp! I never played one before, but I play a piano since age of 5. It was very easy to tune (for me). By the way, I tuned it by ear. And, - I don't have a musical degree, I learned to play a piano myself. This harp sounds amazing and plays well. It arrived with a metal tuning key, an extra string, a pluck, and sample music sheets. I've already played them all. Now, will be ordering more music sheets from Amazon. I'm glad I bought this lap harp. It's a quality lap harp, doesn't look cheap, and beautifully polished. It has a picture of 2 birds painted on top (above the center hole), and inscription : "Music Maker" (below the hole). I am very happy with my purchase!
    One person found this helpful
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    R. Bowman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Neat Little Instrument
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    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.
    16 people found this helpful
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    Srn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun music maker
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    The cards that slide underneath the strings make it super easy to use. Mine came VERY out of tune and it took me a while to get it back in tune. Fun instrument.
    One person found this helpful
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    Kerri W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift to Introduce Children to Music - Fun for Adults too!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    Gave to my 7 year old granddaughter for Christmas. She could play songs immediately. Tuning wasn't perfect but pretty close right out of the box. It took us over an hour to convince her to open another present. Later, I had just as much fun playing the enclosed tunes as she did.
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    Jill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the competition; sounds nice and holds its tuning very well
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    This little lap harp sounds nice (for the money), and holds its tuning surprisingly well. I'm a violinist, cellist, pianist, and piano tuner, so I know what I'm doing. I tried another brand, and its tuners were not screwed in far enough, so they couldn't take or hold a tuning. This one has stayed PERFECTLY in tune from the first day I got it.
    3 people found this helpful
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    Joseph & Dona
    3.0 out of 5 stars Does not hold when tuned
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2022
    Size: OriginalVerified Purchase
    After you tune this harp, it quickly becomes in-tuned. Not sure if mine was defective or if this is normal. Otherwise fun and easy to learn, and sounds good.
    3 people found this helpful
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