Harps

Characteristics of the Harp instrument...

The harp is a type of instrument that falls into the musical category of chordophones. This instrument, the classical harp in particular, is commonly associated with very beautiful or celestial music. We can find one or two harps per orchestra. In addition, it has a handicap that makes it even more unique and attractive: it has a reputation for being one of the most difficult concert instruments to play (although anything is possible if you set your mind to it).

Context and history of the musical Harp

The history of the harp could provide many hours of reading, as it is one of the oldest instruments in history, even mentioned in the Bible with the representation of "David's Harp." Currently, the harp is commonly associated with traditional music from South American countries such as Peru or Chile (among others) and European countries such as Germany or Ireland. There are too many inconsistencies regarding the origin of this instrument and too many types of harps from very different places; which makes it very difficult to attribute its creation to a specific date and place.

Characteristics of the harp

The harp is an instrument with an irregular shape approximating a triangle, composed of various elements necessary to create sound and commonly made of wood (beech/maple...):

• Harp proportions and weight

The harp is not characterized by being a small or light instrument. In fact, a standard size would be around 1.8 meters and could weigh about 45 kilograms.

• The sound of the harp

Undeniably, the sound of the harp is unique and unmistakable. It is capable of emitting very low and very high notes simultaneously and a combination of fantastic sound effects in conjunction with the pedals. The technique used to play is usually the arpeggio, typical of plucked string instruments.

Main parts of the harp

• The console: the control panel

It is the part at the top of the harp where the different tuning pegs of the instrument are located.

• The multiple tuning pegs

A small piece that allows the correct tension of each string of the harp. There will be many of them depending on the number of strings and the type of harp.

• The soundboard: the handcrafted amplifier

This hollowed-out system amplifies the sound in the same way as in other instruments such as the violin, guitar, or piano, among many others.

• The harp pedals: the harpist's dual task

The harp requires the musician to pay attention not only to their hands but also to their feet, and all at the same time. The reason is that there are 7 pedals to control each tone and their activation is done with the feet.

• The foot, the soundbox, and the column: foundations and structure

The foot is simply a part that acts as a support between the soundbox of the harp and the surface on which it rests. The soundbox, for its part, connects the body's console to the foot of the harp. Finally, the column is the longest and most vertical piece of the harp that runs from bottom to top, from which the strings are oriented parallel to it and allows for their tension.

• Harp strings: an extension of the body

There are a total of 47 harp strings, whether made of nylon, metal, steel, copper, or animal gut.

Musical genres in which the harp is included.

The harp instrument is largely reserved for academic music, where the professional harp or concert harp stands out, although we can occasionally find it in musical genres such as soul or rock. Above all, we will see it in classical music (classical harp), symphony orchestras, and also in folk music, Celtic style...

How the harp works

The synchronization required to coordinate the 7 harp pedals and combine it with each plucked string makes the harp instrument "very demanding" for the musician to achieve a good result (not to mention double-stringed harps...). The correct functioning, beyond the appropriate technique, will depend on a size adequate to the musician, an appropriate distance from the instrument, and correct body posture and hand placement.

What type of harp to buy?

There is a wide variety of harps from very different styles, cultures, and geographical areas. There are types of harps with different mechanisms, sizes, and aesthetics, harps with very simple compositions and others created from thousands of pieces.

If you are thinking of buying a harp, at NeoMúsica we invite you to take a look at our selection of Salvi brand harps. You can find Celtic harps and