The Harp

HARP FACTS

The concert pedal harp has 47 strings and 7 pedals. The pedals can change a string's pitch between flat, natural, and sharp by shortening or lengthening the string.
The C string is red and F string is blue or black, allowing the harpist to identify the notes in between and know what strings to play.
To play, harpists sit down, lean the harp onto their right shoulder, and pluck the strings with their 4 of their fingers, excluding the little finger because it is too short
Harps are around 6 ft tall and can weigh up to 75-80 lbs (~35 kg)
To tune the harp, there are pegs behind the harp and the harpist can use a tuning key to tighten or loosen the string
The word "harp" comes from Anglo-Saxon, Old German, and Old Norse meaning "to pluck"

The pedals' corresponding note is labeled. All pedals are in the flat position

Strings

The concert pedal harp's 47 strings are made of nylon, gut material, wire, or a combination of all three. Thin nylon strings typically make up the higher notes while the thicker wire strings make up the lower notes. The gut strings can be found in between the two sections.

Harp Material

Nowadays, the main frame and body of the harp is made out of wood, often featuring varying designs and embellishments. The type of wood has a large effect over the look of the harp—cherry and walnut wood can give a deep, beautifully elegant tone to the harp, and maple wood can give a warm, light mood to the harp.

TYPES OF HARPS

The Celtic Harp

The Celtic harp (or lever harp) originated in the Celtic regions of northwest Europe. These regions include Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
These harps typically have anywhere from 22 to 38 strings, however some models can have up to 40.
The Celtic harp symbolizes national identity and resistance in Ireland.

The Harp in South and Central America

La arpa vino a las Americas desde España alrededor del siglo XVII con los misioneros juesuitas. (The harp came to the Americas from Spain around the century XVII with Juesit missionaries.)
Fue usado en iglsias por maneras religiosas para empezar. (It was mostly used in churches to start out with.)
El estilo Latinamericano usalmente es diatonico por ejemplo la arpa peruna. (The Latin American style of harp is usally only in one key without pedals.)

HISTORY

Harps are one of the oldest musical instruments, and though their origins stretch back thousands of years, the harp's timelessness and elegant appeal has remained consistent. The first harp-like instruments were found in Sumer (southern Mesopotamia) and Egypt in as early as 3000 BCE. These harps were often small, with only a few strings, and the music they played were deeply connected to spirituality.

Harps and lyres gained popularity during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, becoming known as an instrument of the elite and privileged classes. Technique greatly improved during this time, and harp repertoire was vast, spanning from court dances to tunes played by wandering minstrels.

The structure and music of harp went through many changes throughout the baroque and romantic periods, including the invention of the single-action pedal harp in 1700. The double-action pedal harp, which is also the modern concert pedal harp that is used in classical harp today!