How to Re-String a Paraguayan Harp
One of the oldest stringed instruments, the harp has taken many forms since its earliest, simple design. European settlers brought harps to the Americas with sophisticated designs utilizing dozens of strings. These harps took hold in the newly founded countries of the Americas, such as Paraguay, and became a part of the national culture. The Paraguayan harp has its roots in 16th Century European instrument design, but has become synonymous with Paraguayan musical tradition. You can restring a Paraguayan harp with some simple tools and technique.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Paraguayan harp
- Clean cloth
- Pliers
- Rubber eraser
- Replacement strings
- Chromatic tuner
- Wire clippers
Instructions
-
-
1
Loosen the lowest string (B flat) of a Paraguayan harp by turning its corresponding tuner clockwise.
-
2
Slide the string out from the string post.
-
-
3
Place a clean cloth in the jaws of your pliers. This will help prevent scarring the harp while removing the string peg.
-
4
Place a rubber eraser at the base of the loosened string's peg.
-
5
Grip the peg with the pliers and pry the peg from the harp using the rubber eraser as a fulcrum.
-
6
Remove the peg and the string. Discard the string and set the peg aside.
-
7
Slide a 1mm bead over the end of the new string and tie it in a knot to hold the bead in place.
-
8
Insert the bead end of the string into the string's hole in the harp's soundboard and insert the string peg in the hole over the string.
-
9
Position the peg so that the string runs through the groove in the peg and press the peg firmly into the hole.
-
10
Wrap the opposite end of the string around its corresponding string post and turn the tuner clockwise.
-
11
Turn on a chromatic tuner and point it so its microphone faces the harp.
-
12
Strike the new string, check the tuner display and tighten the string until the display reads "Bb."
-
13
Clip any excess string at the string post with wire clippers. Repeat this process with the remaining strings. A standard 36-string Paraguayan harp uses the color-coded strings in the following tuning from low to high: B flat/white, C/blue, D/white, E/white, F/red, G/white, A/white. This order and color-coding repeats until it ends with the highest, 36th note, B flat/white.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
