Talharpa Space — уроки игры на тальхарпе в Москве и онлайн
A talharpa studio school in Moscow
One-to-one and group lessons, in person and online
Book a lesson →What is Talharpa Space?
Talharpa Space is a small home studio in Moscow devoted to the talharpa and to an old musical tradition. A chamber school where every lesson is one-to-one.
You can meet the instrument from scratch, learn to play, explore its sound and make music of your own.
You can also meet other students and talharpa players here: play together, swap music and experience, go to a concert or simply talk over a cup of tea.
One-to-one lessons
Music — from first meeting the instrument to a deeper understanding of the musical language.
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Main subject
Talharpa
Talharpa (tagelharpa) lessons: meeting the instrument, bowing technique, rhythm, ear, improvisation and a sound of your own.
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Violin
Learning the instrument and refining your playing.
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Piano
One-to-one lessons for beginners and returning players.
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Solfeggio
Developing your ear, your sense of rhythm and your understanding of music.
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Harmony
The musical language: chords, harmonic progressions and how to use them.
Lessons are available in person and online, in Russian and in English.
Group lessons
Besides one-to-one lessons there are group classes — solfeggio, together with other talharpa players.
In a group it is easier to hear music from the outside: notes, rhythm and ear training happen alongside people who play the same instrument. Beginners are welcome.
Classes are held in person in Moscow and you can join online. Bring a music notebook and a pencil.
Who is it for?
The lessons suit both complete beginners and trained musicians.
- People who have never played an instrument.
- Musicians who want to take on a new instrument.
- Anyone drawn to early and traditional instruments.
- Anyone looking for an unusual way into music.
The talharpa
The talharpa (tagelharpa) is a traditional North European bowed lyre.
The name tagelharpa is linked to the Swedish dialect word tagel, “horsehair”, as the strings were historically made of horsehair or gut. Talharpa is linked to Swedish tall, “pine”, pointing at the wood of the body.
In Estonia it is known as the hiiu kannel and a close relative survives in Finland under the name jouhikko.
- OriginWestern Estonia and the Baltic islands, the tradition of the Estonian Swedes.
- BuildA wooden body, an open frame, a “window” for the hand, three or four strings and a bow.
- SoundA long, full sound with a drone underneath. The timbre changes noticeably with the size of the instrument, its tuning and the material of the strings.
Maria Besklubenko
Talharpa teacher · violinist · graduate of the Moscow Conservatory
A professional violinist, graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.
Maria works as a musician, performing with orchestras and baroque ensembles. A former member of the folk band Spiritual Seasons, co-founder of the Slavic folk band Istók and of Istók Music School.
She combines an academic musical education with an interest in early and traditional music. Her practice brings together classical and baroque repertoire, folk music and historical instruments — from the violin to the talharpa.
Talharpa Space is her chamber studio, a place to come to music and to the instrument without exams or rigid programmes, at your own pace: to learn, to listen, to play, to explore sound and, through it, yourself.
Video
How lessons work
- Length60 minutes
- WhereMoscow, Shabolovskaya / Tulskaya metro
- FormatOne-to-one and in a group, in person and online
- LanguagesRussian and English
- After the first lessonAccess to the private students' chat
Frequently asked questions
Can I come without my own instrument?
Yes, the first lesson can be played on the teacher's talharpa.
Do I need any musical background?
No. You can start from zero without reading music: the first lessons cover how to hold the instrument and the bow and how to draw an even sound, and you play simple tunes straight away.
How long is a lesson and how often should I come?
A lesson lasts 60 minutes. The rhythm is set to suit you — we agree on the schedule when you book.
Can lessons be online?
Yes, lessons are held in person in Moscow and online, in Russian or in English. For an online lesson you only need the instrument and a stable connection.
Where can I get a talharpa?
The instruments are made to order by individual makers. In class I can suggest who to approach and what to look at — size, tuning and string material change the sound noticeably.
What should I bring to a group class?
For group solfeggio classes you will need a music notebook and a pencil with an eraser.
Book a lesson
Leave your name and a way to reach you — Maria will reply and suggest a time for a first meeting. If you like, add a couple of words about yourself: whether you have played before, what interests you.
Contact
Moscow · by appointment