Instructions
For a reminder of your Timberharp instructions please click here to open in a new window
FAQs
Dots or no dots?
The dots on some Timberharps are aligned with the centres of the twelve sensors, to give you a visual mark so you can play notes accurately. They are not the actual sensors, and Timberharps work equally with or without the dots. If you prefer a cleaner, uninterrupted look, then go for the no-dots versions, and if being able to play repeated patterns and certain notes, go for the dotted versions.
Where did you get the idea?
The concept originated 30 years ago during research work with children and young adults with a range of additional needs. Many of these young people felt the desire to express themselves through movement and music, but lacked the means to do so. It was clear that there was a need for interactive sensory objects that were less like clinical equipment and more natural and gentle.
How long have you been doing this?
It became obvious right from the early prototypes in the early nineties that these wooden sound-making objects had far-reaching interest. Positive responses came from parents and carers of autistic children and children recovering from trauma and injury; nurseries and forest schools; occupational therapists working with dementia and Alzheimer’s; medical and psychotherapist practitioners; yoga instructors and music therapists… the list grew and still continues to.
Who buys Timberharps?
Our customers broadly fit three categories: medical and educational professionals seeking therapeutic tools to compliment their practical toolboxes; wellness and health practitioners using timberharps to compliment restorative environments; and individual customers who see, feel and hear the pieces and appreciate them as beneficial or simply as a piece of natural art with a twist.
Can they go outdoors?
Timberharps are portable, so you can take it into the garden, a forest or your favourite beach. Just don't leave them outside overnight or in the rain!
What's so therapeutic?
Many of the children we encountered whilst developing timberharps are reliant on medical equipment 24hrs a day. We discovered that sensory rooms, whilst necessarily practical, were somewhat of an extension to this equipment. We wanted to bring something natural and non-synthetic into this environment; a small slice of nature that anybody could benefit from, regardless of their physical, mental or emotional condition whilst ensuring that any music that is generated sounds gentle, relaxing and harmonious.
What sounds do they make?
Every Timberharp currently has 16 different instrument modes, ranging from gentle drones, watery droplets, to harps and soft strings. The notes are presented in a major pentatonic scale, meaning that all the notes harmonise together and it’s impossible to make them clash. So everyone is an immediate expert, right from the start, with no practice or mastery required.
How do they work?
Magic and Witchcraft!
What inspires us to build Timberharps?
To put it simply, you do. Our customers vary widely and regularly furnish us with new design ideas.
Any questions?
Click here to send us a message!
Loving the Forests
We love to walk in the forests. For us it's a great privilege to live and work close to wonderful ancient Sussex woodlands, the South Downs National Park and Angmering Forest. We regular practice in the Japanese art of forest bathing, which basically consists of turning off your phone, slowing down and taking in your surroundings with eyes, ears, nose and breathe.
Every Timberharp we make has been created with an underpinning respect and admiration for the healing power of nature, which we gently harness into an object you can bring into your own environment to enjoy whenever you need to.
Every piece of timber we use is sourced by us. We choose sustainably grown birch from Sweden; responsibly forested walnut from California; Olive wood from southern Italy that is harvested to make way for more youthful trees once their fruit crop begins to dwindle; storm-fallen trees from local estates that mill, season and sell the timber themselves.
Basically, we absolutely love wood and respect it as one of our most beautiful and valuable natural resources.
A selection of our raw materials
ready to be turned into Timberharps