The Harps

There are three different types of Harps:

• Pedal Harps

• Lever Harps

• Lap Harps

The Pedal Harps

The pedal harp is the type of harp most people are familiar with because it is often seen in an orchestra. Pedal harps are also referred to as concert harp, classical harp, orchestral harp, concert grand harp and double-action pedal harp. Often it is made of maple wood with wood or veneer finishes. It varies in height and number of strings, the concert grand harps can be as tall as 6 feet and weigh as much as 90 pounds. Concert grand harps have 47 strings.

The pedal harp contains 7 pedals and 40-48 strings. The pedals have three notches that change the strings from sharp, natural and flat. This allows the advanced harpist to continue playing while the feet change to the key that is needed. The pedal harps have an exceptional sound and classic design. There are smaller pedal harps such as the Clio or Semi-Grand with a height from 60-65 inches and weighing 55-65 lbs. This harp allows the performer the use of pedals while also providing an instrument with a manageable size and weight. The Concert Grand is the standard harp most often seen in symphonies, concerts and weddings. This harp weighs from 74-80 lbs with a height of 77-86 inches. Most often containing hand carving on the column, this harp is catching to the eye, complimenting its extraordinary sound.

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Parts of a Pedal Harp

Crown - It is the ornamental part of the harp located at the side of the top of the harp. It is shaped like a crown, thus the name.

Tuning Pins - These are the number of pins that go all through the neck and is often colored black.

Bridge Pins - May either be in gold or silver and it is where the strings of the harp rests.

Neck - The length of the upper part of the harp that is curved. It is also referred to as the "harmonic curve".

Pedal Discs - Located on the neck of the harp and functions to change the notes to sharps and flats.

Pillar - Also called the column, it supports the frame of the harp.

Soundboard/Soundbox - The soundboard is located on the string-side of the harp. The soundbox is located at the back of the harp. The holes of the soundbox from which the tune comes out off is called "sound holes". Sound holes help amplify the notes produced by the harp.

Feet - The feet of the harp enables it to stand on its own, allowing easier playing.

Strings - The strings of the pedal harp is similar to the positions of the keys on a piano. The red strings are for "C" and the black or blue strings are for "F". Strings are plucked or strung by the harpist to produce tunes.

Pedals - The pedal harp has 7 pedals, one pedal for each note - C, D, E, F, G, A and B. The left foot controls three of the pedals, the remaining four pedals are controlled by the right foot. When the harpist steps on the pedals, the pedal discs located on the neck of the harp are altered and the strings are lenghtened or shortened. Thus, naturals, sharps and flat notes are produced.

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The Lever Harps

The lever harp is a mid-sized instrument consisting of 30-38 strings. The height of the harp ranges from 41-66 inches, weighing from 15-48 lbs. The “levers” are located along the neck of the harp and easily flip up and down. While in the down position the string will play a natural note. When the lever is flipped up the string will play a sharp note. Many new harpists begin learning on this harp.It is comfortable on the shoulder and easy to carry. The lever harp is assessable and holds a beautiful sound, which makes it a great place to start!.

Lever harps are also known as folk harps, Celtic harps, and Irish harps, as well as simply non-pedal harps, but they're not necessarily all the same thing. They can come in various sizes from lap harp (which is small enough to set on your lap--think of the harp that's pictured on a bottle of Guinness beer) to floor harps (up to around 5 feet tall standing on the floor). They can be strung with different types of strings, including nylon strings, gut strings, and bronze wires.

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The Lap Harps

The lap harp usually consists of 22-26 strings and weighs from 5-10 lbs. The height of the harp ranges from 28-35 inches. It holds the basic original shape of traditional harps and may or may not have levers on one or more of the strings. The primary benefit of the lap harp is its portability. Many lap harps come with carrying bags or cases and some resemble “back packs” allowing for hands free transportation. Another important benefit of the lap harp is affordability. The lap harp is generally about one-third of the cost of the mid size lever harps. The price will vary depending on the number of levers. A lap harp can be useful as a practice harp while on vacation. Its portability makes it convenient to play at family reunions and for friends and family and not for Classical Wedding Ceremony .

“Lap harp” is perhaps not the best name for this small harp as it is not always comfortable to play in ones lap and consequently other devises have been developed to facilitate ease of performance. One such devise is a lap bar which sits across both legs, stabilizing the harp. Another such devise is a strap much like a guitar strap. It attaches to the harp with the same type of buttons found on guitars and crosses your shoulder then stretches diagonally across your back.

Triplett has introduced a harp which is called the Christina and was designed as a “therapy harp.” The harp comes standard with quick release lock buttons and a shoulder strap. The strap allows you to play while standing bed side or walking from bed to bed. It also stabilizes the harp while playing in a sitting position. An optional lap bar is also available.

Other labels for non-pedal harps

Celtic: -The Celts (pronounced kelts, not selts) were a group of tribes first found early in the second millennium BC in Southwest Germany and East France. Armed with iron weapons and mounted on horses, they rapidly spread over Europe and the British Isles. Druids were the religious persons of the Celts, and much of Western European folklore is derived from the Celts. By the fourth century BC they lost most of their holding in the north and in W Germany to encroaching Germanic tribes.

Irish: - Refers to the people, language, and culture of the island of Ireland, one of the lands invaded and conquered by the Celts in the centuries preceding the birth of Christ. The Romans who occupied Britain for 400 years never came to Ireland, so the Anglo-Saxon invaders who largely replaced the Celtic population in Britain did not greatly affect Ireland. What is important to note is that 'Celtic' and 'Irish' are not synonymous. While modern Celtic music and other aspects of modern Celtic culture survive and thrive in Ireland, the same could be said for Scotland, Wales, Cornwall (region of England), and Brittany (region of France).

Folk: - the common people of a society or region considered to be the originators or carries of the customs, beliefs, and arts that make up a distinctive culture. Therefore when talking about folk music, it can broadly refer to all peoples' folk music, or a geographic region or country can be added to it to narrow it down: German folk music, Irish folk music, Chinese folk music, American folk music, etc.

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