Why is that silly? I have a classical music degree. My (classical) piano and flute teachers didn't teach me to improvize. My harp teacher who is excellent at both classical harp and improvized Celtic/South American harp styles. She has taught me to play by ear, but not using any book at all during the first year of lessons. One year after beginning to play harp, I performed thirtysome pieces with a viola player for a wedding (service and reception). I accompanied him by ear. I could never have done that if I had had a 'strictly' classical harp teacher. There's a bit more to it than knowing I, IV and V.

The weight of a harp is deceiving because of how one needs to carry it on one side. It's not quite the same as carrying a child. It doesn't wrap it's arms around you to help out, either.

~b.w.