How to Make a Weather Harp

Listen to the music of Aeolus with a weather harp.

A weather harp is also called a wind harp or aeolian harp after Aeolus, the Greek god of the wind. These instruments are "played" by the wind and create haunting, complicated sounds. Artists and poets such as Shelley and Coleridge have been fascinated by them for centuries. You can build your own weather harp and hear the music of Aeolus for yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• Glue
• Drill
• 4 screws
• 4 tuning pins
• 4 round strings of different sizes

Instructions

1. Decide on a window where you will position your harp. If the wind where you live blows predominantly in one direction, pick a window that faces that way. Measure the width of the window.

2. Select four strings of varying thicknesses. Round strings are most effective in the wind; nylon guitar strings are cheap and probably your best bet. You could also use weed wacker string, thick nylon fishing line or real harp string.

3. Build a wooden box about 5 or 6 inches deep, 7 or 8 inches tall and long enough to fit just inside the windowsill. Cut a sound hole about 4 inches in diameter into the center of the harp's top face.

4. Glue a strip of wood about half an inch high with a width of about 1/4 inch perpendicular to the box's length near each end. Leave 1 1/2 inches of space on each end. These strips will serve as a bridge to support the strings.

5. Drill four evenly spaced holes into one end of the box. Insert the end of one string into each hole. Now anchor each string with a screw or peg.

6. Attach four evenly spaced wooden pins behind the bridge on the other end.

7. Pull a string tight over the first bridge and thread it through the hole in the opposite pin. Turn the pin to create a small amount of tension. Repeat this step for the other strings.

8. Turn the pins to tune the harp like a guitar or violin. Tune each string to the same note, perhaps a G or C. When the wind blows, the individual strings will create unique sounds depending on the intensity of the wind.

9. Place the harp in the windowsill, lower the window to just above the harp and listen to the music of Aeolus.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a richly colored and scented wood like cedar for a complete olfactory-audio-visual experience.

References

• Homemade Dessert Recipes: Aeolian Harp Plans
• Arthur Robb - Luthier: The Little Aeolian Harp Page