Arne Harder is a dedicated specialist in the world of multi-stringed plucked instruments. 

 

Beyond his work as a performer, Arne Harder has established himself as a visionary in instrument design. After extensive engagement with the 15-string Schrammel guitar and the Indian sitar, he transitioned into developing his own instruments to push the boundaries of the guitar family. In 2012, he introduced his first original development, the 10-string Gitarrone. This was followed in 2019 by the 14-string Balaugi, a Baroque lute-guitar crafted by Heikki Rousu that allows original lute tablature to be played with contemporary versatility. His collaboration with Götz Bürki on the 8-string universal guitar further deepened his understanding of the instrument's structural possibilities. His extensive expertise is reflected in his publication of the first German-language textbook for multi-string guitar as well as in his Universal MusicTrainer app, which brings his years of experience into the digital age.

 

Arne Harder is a graduate of the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, where he studied under Professor Maritta Kersting and earned both a State Music Teacher certification and a Soloist Diploma. His diverse musical profile is further enriched by studies in viola da gamba, voice, and historical woodwinds. Since 2009, he has held a teaching position at the Robert Schumann Hochschule, and he served as the director of the Pro Musica Music School from 2017 to 2022.

 

As a prominent cultural initiator, he co-founded the Jüchen Guitar Concerts in 2015, which evolved into the annual International Guitar Festival Jüchen. He continues to lead and organize this festival alongside Daniel März, creating a premier platform for world-class guitar music. His own artistic career as a soloist and ensemble partner takes him to national and international stages, where he performs with great acclaim as both an instrumentalist and a vocalist.