What Is a Harp

The harp is one of the oldest musical instrument. The biblical King David played a lyre, which is a type of folk harp. He made several reference to harps in the psalms he wrote. Homer and the fairy tales also included references to them. In art, images of harps decorate ancient pottery and show up in some of the earliest paintings. In fact, every culture developed a traditional folk harp so it is not surprising that a very ornate and costly concert harp belongs to the orchestra.

Identification

A harp is a stringed instrument that is played by plucking with the thumb and three fingers. Good harpists play chords, melodies, and bass parts to produce really complex music from just one instrument. No matter what kind of harp it is, every harp has a frame, a sound box that helps to amplify the notes played by the harpist, and strings. A harp can be small enough to fit in the harpist's lap and as big as a full-sized concert harp which must be moved by a special dolly. A wide repertoire of harp music ranges from simple folk melodies to full concertos where a harp soloist is supported by a full orchestra.

Features

The largest and most versatile of the harps is the concert harp. It stands 70 inches tall and has 47 strings. Each string is tuned to one note and there are enough strings to reach a total of six and one-half octaves in all. (It has a similar range to the piano.) A concert harp features 5 foot pedals that are connected to the base. When the harpist depresses or releases one of the pedals, it allows her to play the accidentals because the pedal changes the tuning of some of the strings by either a half or a whole step. Only concert harps can easily play music that changes keys. Concert harps can cost more than $100,000 and start at around $20,000.

Types

Another kind of harp that allows the harpist to change keys, but not as efficiently as the concert harp, is a lever harp. These harps have 34, 36 or 38 strings which each also have a lever at the top of the instrument. When the music requires an accidental, the harpist must move his hands to the lever to adjust the tuning of each individual string. These harps cost much less money, beginning at just under $4,000. The limitations to the harpist's fingering caused by the levers limits how much music is available for these harps.

Geography

Perhaps the culture most identified with the harp is Ireland. Even the national Irish flag includes a harp. Celtic harps are smaller, hand-held instruments with fewer strings. Celtic harp camps and competitions are popular now that these folk instruments have experienced a resurgence.

Expert Insight

The American Harp Society, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization for harp teachers, students and performers, formed in 1962. They provide referrals for teachers and also host a national conference. With a membership of 3,000, there are local chapters of the American Harp Society all over the United States (see Resources below).

Resources

• American Harp Society
• Great Harp Resources
• More Harp Resources