Harp
The harp is a stringed musical instrument characterized by its large, upright triangular frame and a series of strings that produce sound when plucked. It is one of the oldest known musical instruments, with origins tracing back to ancient Egypt around 3000 BCE. Modern harps primarily come in two varieties: lever harps and pedal harps. The lever harp, often referred to as a folk or Celtic harp, is smaller and features levers for adjusting pitch, making it suitable for genres like classical and folk music. In contrast, the larger pedal harp, equipped with pedals that allow for pitch modifications during play, is commonly used in orchestras due to its broader musical range and richer tone.
Harp strings can be made from various materials, including steel, copper wire, gut, and nylon, and the instrument’s design has evolved significantly over the centuries. Notable advancements include the introduction of a pillar for structural support in the Middle Ages and the double action pedal system developed in the early 19th century, which enabled playing in all keys. Harps are not only popular among musicians of all ages but also play a significant role in various cultural traditions, particularly in Ireland, where they have become a symbol of national identity. Additionally, electric harps have emerged as a modern variant, amplifying sound similarly to electric guitars.
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Harp
The harp is a stringed musical instrument known for its pleasant, soothing sound. A large upright instrument, the harp is essentially an open triangular frame housing a series of strings that produce sound when plucked. Historically, the harp is one of the world's oldest musical instruments with the earliest known example dating back to ancient Egypt. Modern harps are made in two main varieties: the lever harp and the pedal harp. While both are similar in design, the pedal harp is generally larger and includes special pedals that allow the performer to change the instrument's tuning while playing. Different types of harps also come in assorted sizes and may be equipped with a varying number of strings. In all varieties, the harp remains a popular instrument around the world and is frequently played by children and adults alike, either in solo performances or as a part of an orchestra.
Brief History
The harp was among the first musical instruments to ever be developed. The earliest known examples of crude harps are those found in the wall paintings of ancient Egyptian tombs that date as far back as 3000 BCE. This early type of harp, which is believed to have originated in Asia, consisted of a hollow sound box connected to a straight string arm at an angle. Strings made of hair or plant materials were attached between the sound box and the string arm.
Early harps were especially popular in ancient Ireland, where music was a key part of daily life. There, the harp was seen as an aristocratic instrument that was played primarily in royal courts and in front of clan leaders. Although the harp's popularity and its role in Irish society varied over time, it remains an enduring symbol of Irish culture.
The harp's design gradually evolved throughout the centuries. One of the most significant developments came with the addition of a pillar in the Middle Ages. As harps came to be made with a greater number of strings made from tauter materials such as brass or copper, a pillar was needed to provide extra support for the added tension. Later in the seventeenth century, metal hooks that allowed the harpist to adjust the pitch of each string were added. As harps became more popular and the need for a broader range of pitch increased, another key design change was introduced. Sometime between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, harp makers came up with the idea of installing a series of pedals that could be used to raise or lower the pitch. The resulting variation became known as the single action harp.
The single action harp proved to be a popular instrument throughout Europe. As a result of their rising popularity, such harps became increasingly decorative, often featuring intricately carved wood and lavish gilding. Ultimately, many of the single action harps built during the eighteenth century were as revered for their elaborately artistic appearance.
By the nineteenth century, the increasingly complex demands of modern music meant that the harp once again needed to evolve. In 1810, French instrument maker Sébastien Érard developed a new pedal system that made it possible to play the harp in all keys for the first time. His creation, the double action harp, was a critical step forward in harp design that remained an industry standard as the harp's popularity continued into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Overview
Harps are large stringed instruments that produce sound through vibrations created by plucking. Most harps have a frame made from several differing types of wood that often include birch, willow, spruce, pine, and maple. The strings, which may vary in number, can be made of steel and copper wire, gut, or nylon. Sometimes strings made of different materials are used on the same harp. These strings, which are often color coded for the performer's benefit, attach to pins on the harp's neck on one end and to the soundboard on the other end. When the strings are plucked, the resulting energy travels down to the soundboard and into a hollow space inside called the sound box. Upon reaching the sound box, the energy vibrates the air within and creates sound. The sound box also serves to amplify that sound to make it audible for listeners.
The harp is usually played using the thumb and first four fingers on each hand. Most harpists do not use their pinkie fingers because they are not long enough to reach many of the strings. During a performance, the harpist positions his or her fingers at an angle to the strings and drops them back into the palm as they come off the string being plucked. This method allows the harpist to play a wide variety of different chords, although the range of possible chords may be limited based on the length of his or her hand.
There are two basic types of harps: lever harps and pedal harps. Lever harps, which are also referred to as folk harps, Celtic harps, Irish harps, or non-pedal harps, are the smaller and less complex of the two. Their name is derived from the fact that they feature sharping levers instead of pedals for raising or lowering the pitch during use. Most lever harps have between twenty and forty strings. Because they have fewer strings, smaller lever harps generally have a narrower musical range than their larger counterparts. As a result, they are typically considered ideal for styles such as classical, folk, jazz, blues, and pop.
Pedal harps are larger and more complex instruments capable of a broader musical range. The average pedal harp is around six feet tall and weighs up to seventy-five pounds. Unlike lever harps, the pedal harp features seven pedals arranged around its base that allow the player to raise or lower the pitch of any note in the scale during a performance. When depressed, these pedals rotate discs on the harp's neck that lengthen or shorten sounding length of the strings and allow the player to switch easily between sharp, natural, and flat notes. Most pedal harps have between forty and forty-seven strings. As compared to other harps, the pedal harp produces a richer, more powerful tone. Given its more advanced musical capabilities, the pedal harp is usually the type of harp used in orchestras.
Among the most notable modern harp innovations was the introduction of the electric harp. Electric harps use built-in audio pickups to produce amplified sounds in much the same way as electric guitars.
Bibliography
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Estrella, Espie. "Types of Harps." ThoughtCo., 1 Mar. 2016, www.thoughtco.com/types-of-harps-2456454. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
"Harp." Philharmonia Orchestra, www.philharmonia.co.uk/explore/instruments/harp. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
"History of the Harp." Harp.com, www.harp.com/history-of-the-harp/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
"History of the Harp." Harp Foundation, www.theharpfoundation.org/about-us/history-of-the-harp/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
"History of the Harp." International Harp Museum, www.internationalharpmuseum.org/visit/history.html. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
Rensch, Roslyn. Harps and Harpists. Indiana UP, 2007.
Riley, Laurie. The Harper's Handbook: A Complete Overview for Understanding, Learning, Sharing, Performing, Teaching, and Injury Prevention. Afghan P, 2000.
Wooster, Patricia McNulty. "Pedal Harp 101." Harp Spectrum, www.harpspectrum.org/pedal/wooster.shtml. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.