How to Know Basic Harp Mechanics

Harps are stringed instruments that pre-date recorded history. The most accepted history for the harp stems from the hunters bow. By plucking the string of their bows, hunters created the first harp music. Harps vary in size and form depending on the culture they originate from. However, the basic mechanics of the different harps are the same.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Identify the parts of the harp. All harps are equipped with a neck, strings, soundbox and soundboard. The neck is the top angled piece the strings attach to. The strings are made of nylon or silk. The soundbox and soundboard are located on the bottom of the harp. The board is where the strings attach to the bottom of the harp. The box is directly below the board.

2. Locate the middle C string of the harp. The middle C is the red string in the center of the harp.

3. Move eight strings up the harp as the strings gets shorter. The ninth string from the middle C is red as well. This string is also a C, but is one octave higher than middle C. This string is half the size of the middle C. All the harp's strings are arranged in this manner. The harp mechanics dictate that the strings of each higher octave are half the size of the next lower octave.

4. Understand the foot pedals. Pedals on the harp regulate the pitch of the notes. When the pedals push down, the harp's mechanics tighten the strings and make them vibrate less.

5. Learn how to play the strings. Pluck the middle of the string with your thumb.

6. Try to harmonize. Press on the plucked string with your index or forefinger. This stops the vibration of the string halfway down and allows you to make one note sound like another.