What Is a Harp Instrument? Unveiling Its Musical Charm

What is a Harp Instrument?

A harp is a musical instrument consisting of a large triangular frame with vertical strings stretched and anchored between its base and top. These strings vary in length and thickness, allowing them to produce different notes when plucked.

The frame often features a curved neck and a soundboard to amplify the sound. Harps can range in size from small, handheld models to large, floor-standing versions used in orchestras.

---

In this introductory guide, we’ll explore the question “what is a Harp instrument” by examining what it sounds like, how it’s played, its long history, its popularity, how its made, and also explore some of the great tunes and compositions it has produced. To get us started lets take a look at some interstesting facts that we can further explore in the rest of the article.

Harp Instrument Facts

• The harp is one of the oldest stringed instruments, with evidence of its existence over 3,000 years ago.
• It falls under the category of chordophones in the Hornbostel-Sachs system, as it produces sound through vibrating strings stretched between two points.
• A person who plays the harp is called a Harpist.
• The modern concert harp typically weighs about 80 pounds and stands at about six feet tall, making it one of the larger instruments in an orchestra.
• Pedal harps, used in orchestras, have pedals that allow players to alter the pitch of the strings, enabling them to play a wider range of music.
• Lever harps, smaller and more portable than pedal harps, use levers at the top of each string for pitch changes and are popular among folk musicians.
• The Guinness World Record for the most expensive harp sold is the “Lady Blunt” Lyon & Healy Harp, auctioned for over $625,000.
• Harps can have anywhere from 7 to 47 strings, made of materials like nylon, gut, or metal, affecting their sound and playability.
• The harp is a national symbol of Wales, Ireland and Paraguay, with a rich tradition of harpists and harp music dating back centuries.
• Harp therapy, where the soothing sounds of the harp are used for healing, is a growing practice in medical settings.
• Famous harp players like Harpo Marx (of the Marx Brothers) have also brought the instrument into the comedic realm, showcasing its lighter side.
• The construction of a harp can take skilled artisans over a year to complete, reflecting the instrument’s complexity and craftsmanship.
• The “double-action” pedal system, invented in the early 19th century, revolutionized the harp, enabling it to play in all keys and enhancing its repertoire.

How Popular is the Harp Across the World?

The harp enjoys a diverse popularity across the globe, reflecting its adaptability to various musical traditions and cultural contexts. Its popularity can be attributed to its rich historical significance, versatility in performance, and distinctive sound that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Regions with Notable Popularity

Ireland: The harp holds a special place in Irish culture and history, symbolizing the nation itself. Its popularity in Ireland stems from its deep roots in Celtic music, where it has been played for centuries. The harp is celebrated for its role in traditional Irish music, and modern performers continue to keep this heritage alive.

Wales: Similar to Ireland, the harps affection stems from its deep-rooted presence in Welsh social and musical traditions, dating back to the Celtic era. As the national instrument of the country, the harp has been a symbol of national identity and pride, celebrated in literature, poetry, and folklore for centuries.

South America: In countries like Paraguay and Venezuela, the harp is a central instrument in folk music. The Paraguayan harp, known for its distinctive construction and sound, is especially celebrated and plays a crucial role in the Paraguayan polka and other traditional music forms.

Europe: Beyond its folk traditions, the harp has a prominent place in European classical music. Its evolution into the orchestral harp has cemented its status in symphonies and operas, showcasing its versatility across various musical genres.

What does a Harp Sound Like?

The harp produces a rich, ethereal sound, with each plucked string resonating a clear, melodious tone that can vary from deeply soothing to brilliantly vibrant. Watch the video below to get a sense of the harps enchanting sound:

How to Play the Harp Instrument

Playing the harp involves a sophisticated technique where the harpist, seated next to the instrument, uses their fingers to pluck the strings, creating music through the vibration of these stretched strings.

Each string corresponds to a different musical note, with the pitch varying based on the string’s length, tension, and material. Harpists often use both hands to play, with the instrument’s large size requiring a strategic positioning of hands to access the full range of strings.

The harp generates sound through the vibration of its strings, which are anchored at both ends by a sturdy frame. When a string is plucked, it vibrates at a specific frequency, producing a note.

The soundboard, a large resonant surface attached to the frame, amplifies these vibrations, projecting the sound outward. This mechanism allows the harp to produce its characteristic rich, resonant tones that can fill a room with sound.

Pedal harps, commonly used in orchestras, feature a set of pedals at the base, which the harpist operates with their feet.

These pedals adjust the tension of the strings, changing their pitch to produce sharps and flats. This system allows the player to perform complex pieces with a wide range of notes.

On the other hand, lever harps have small levers at the top of each string, which the player manually flips to alter the pitch.

The technique of playing the harp includes controlling the intensity of the pluck, which affects the volume and tone of the sound.

Harpists develop a delicate touch, enabling them to express a wide range of emotions through their music. Additionally, they learn to coordinate between their hands and feet, especially when using pedal harps, to ensure seamless transitions between notes and harmonies.

In essence, playing the harp is both an art and a science, requiring physical coordination, musical understanding, and emotional expression.

Harp Instrument Description

The harp, a stringed musical instrument, consists of several key components, each crafted from specific materials that contribute to its unique sound and appearance.

Frame: The frame, forming the harp’s main body, is traditionally made from wood. Woods like maple, spruce, and beech are favored for their strength and acoustic properties. The frame includes the pillar, neck, and soundbox, providing structural support and resonance.

Soundboard: Attached to the frame, the soundboard is crucial for amplifying the sound produced by the strings. It is typically made from spruce or cedar, woods chosen for their ability to produce a rich, clear sound.

Strings: Harp strings vary in material, ranging from gut (made from the intestinal fibers of animals), nylon, or metal. Gut strings offer a warm, traditional sound, nylon strings provide durability and a bright tone, while metal strings, often steel or copper-wound, produce a brilliant, penetrating sound.

Pedals or Levers: For pedal harps, the base houses seven pedals, each corresponding to a musical note scale. These pedals are connected to rods inside the column that adjust the string’s pitch. Pedals and levers are typically made from metal for durability. Lever harps, on the other hand, use small levers at the top of the instrument to change pitch, and these are also usually metal.

Tuning Pins and Bridge Pins: Made from steel or brass, tuning pins are used to adjust the tension of the strings, affecting their pitch. Bridge pins guide the strings from the tuning pins to the soundboard, ensuring proper alignment and tension.

The choice of materials for each part of the harp is essential not only for the instrument’s durability and appearance but also for its sound quality.

The combination of these materials allows the harp to produce its wide range of soothing, resonant tones, suitable for various musical genres and performances.

Different Types of Harp Instrument to Learn

There are several types of harps available for enthusiasts to learn, each offering unique characteristics and playing experiences. Here’s a brief overview of the most common types and their respective pros and cons:

Pedal Harp

• Pros: Allows for a wide range of musical expression with pedals that change the pitch of the strings, making it ideal for classical and orchestral music.
• Cons: Its size, complexity, and cost can be prohibitive for beginners.

Lever Harp

• Pros: More portable and affordable than pedal harps, lever harps are suitable for a variety of music styles, especially folk and Celtic tunes.
• Cons: The range of notes is limited compared to pedal harps, and changing pitches requires manual flipping of levers.

Celtic Harp (Clarsach)

• Pros: The Celtic Harp is known for its rich history and distinctive sound, it’s lighter and often used in traditional Irish and Scottish music.
• Cons: Limited in range and modulation compared to pedal harps, making some classical pieces challenging to play.

Paraguayan Harp

• Pros: The South American Paraguayan harp features a brighter sound and lighter construction, popular in Latin American music and known for its affordability.
• Cons: The unique playing technique may not be applicable to other types of harp music.

Electric Harp

• Pros: Offers amplification for performances in large venues or with bands, and can produce a range of sounds and effects.
• Cons: Requires access to power and additional equipment, potentially making it less portable.

Each type of harp caters to different musical styles and player preferences, from traditional and folk music to classical and contemporary genres. Choosing the right harp depends on the individual’s musical goals, budget, and the type of music they wish to play.

Musical Origins and Development of the Harp

The name “harp” originates from the Old English word “hearpe” and the Old High German “harpha,” with roots tracing back to the Proto-Germanic “harpōn.” These terms likely stem from the Proto-Indo-European word “kerp-” meaning “to pluck,” reflecting the instrument’s method of sound production.

The harp has undergone significant transformations from its simple early forms to the complex and versatile instrument known today.

Beginning as a rudimentary instrument with a few strings, the table below outlines how it has evolved through centuries.

Time Period	Development
Ancient Times	Early harps were simple, consisting of a few strings stretched over a frame.
Middle Ages	The harp evolved with more strings and a wooden soundbox for better resonance.
16th-17th Century	The introduction of the column and curved neck improved the instrument’s durability and range.
19th Century	The pedal harp was invented, featuring pedals that allowed players to change the pitch of the strings, vastly expanding its musical capabilities.
20th Century	Electric harps were introduced, incorporating electronic amplification.
Present Day	Modern harps combine traditional craftsmanship with new materials and technology, catering to a wide range of musical genres.

Notable Harpists

The harp, with its ethereal sound and elegant form, has been played by numerous talented musicians throughout history. Here are five renowned harp players (harpists) who have made significant contributions to the world of music.

Marcel Grandjany (1891-1975) was a French-American harpist renowned for his expressive playing and significant contributions to harp music and education. Grandjany’s compositions and arrangements are staples in the harp repertoire, reflecting his deep musicality and innovative spirit.

Harpo Marx (1888-1964), born in New York City, was an American comedian and musician best known as part of the Marx Brothers. His whimsical performances on the harp, blending humor with surprisingly sophisticated technique, brought widespread attention to the instrument in popular culture.

Nicanor Zabaleta (1907-1993), hailing from Spain, was celebrated for his virtuosic skill and for bringing international recognition to the classical harp. Zabaleta’s recordings and performances played a pivotal role in establishing the harp as a solo concert instrument.

Dorothy Ashby (1932-1986), an American jazz harpist from Detroit, revolutionized the use of the harp in jazz, integrating it seamlessly into the genre. Ashby’s innovative approach opened new avenues for the instrument, showcasing its versatility beyond classical contexts.

Yolanda Kondonassis is an American harpist acclaimed for her contemporary contributions to the harp repertoire and for her efforts in environmental advocacy. Active since the late 20th century, Kondonassis’ recordings and performances have garnered international acclaim, cementing her status as one of the foremost harpists of her generation.

A Showcase of Great Harp Music

The harp’s repertoire spans centuries and cultures, showcasing the instrument’s adaptability and the wide range of emotions it can convey. Here are ten traditional tunes, works, or compositions that offer a glimpse into the harp’s diverse musical contributions:

“Concerto for Harp and Orchestra in B-flat Major, Op. 4, No. 6” by George Frideric Handel (1736): One of the earliest works showcasing the harp in a concerto setting, Handel’s composition delights with its baroque elegance and virtuosic demands.

“Chanson dans la nuit” by Carlos Salzedo (1932): This piece, translating to “Song in the Night,” showcases Salzedo’s innovative techniques, creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that pushes the boundaries of the harp’s sound palette.

“Morceau de Concert” by Camille Saint-Saëns (1919): A staple in the classical harp repertoire, this composition challenges the performer with its technical demands while enchanting the audience with its lyrical beauty.

“The Harp of Brandiswhiere: A Suite for Celtic Harp” by Sylvia Woods (1980): This suite captures the essence of Celtic music, with each movement inspired by a different legend or landscape, offering listeners a journey through Celtic mythology and tradition.

“Sonata for Harp” by Paul Hindemith (1939): Hindemith’s sonata explores the harmonic and textural possibilities of the harp, blending modern dissonances with traditional forms to create a work of profound depth.

“Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet” by Maurice Ravel (1905): This piece highlights the harp’s role as both a solo and ensemble instrument, featuring interplay between the harp and other instruments in a lush, impressionistic style.

“Fantaisie for Harp and Violin” by Camille Saint-Saëns (1907): This charming duet for harp and violin is lyrical and expressive, demonstrating Saint-Saëns’ mastery in writing for both instruments.

“Luz y Norte Musical” by Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz (1677): This collection of Spanish baroque music includes pieces for the harp, offering insight into the early use of the instrument in European folk and dance music.

“Spiegel im Spiegel” for Harp and Violin by Arvo Pärt (1978): Originally composed for piano and violin, this version for harp and violin maintains the meditative, reflective quality of Pärt’s minimalist composition, showcasing the harp’s capacity for creating a serene, introspective space.

“Suite of Eight Dances” by Carlos Salzedo (1951): This suite by Salzedo, a harp virtuoso and composer, explores various dance forms, from the energetic to the sublime, demonstrating the harp’s versatility and Salzedo’s innovative approach to the instrument.

The Harp in Popular Culture

With its distinctive sound, the harp has found its way into various aspects of film, TV, and popular rock music, leaving a memorable mark on audiences worldwide. Here are five tunes where the harp’s presence is not only recognized but celebrated, contributing to the essence of each piece:

1. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin (1971): This iconic rock ballad features a harp (actually a Mellotron mimicking a harp) in its introduction, contributing to the song’s ethereal and mystical quality. Composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the harp’s sound perfectly complements the song’s journey from a gentle beginning to a powerful climax.
2. “Theme from The Godfather” (1972): Nino Rota’s hauntingly beautiful theme for the classic film “The Godfather” employs the harp to create a sense of both elegance and foreboding. The harp’s gentle plucks underscore the film’s dramatic moments, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

3. “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter (2001): Composed by John Williams, the harp introduces this magical and whimsical theme, setting the tone for the Harry Potter film series. Its use perfectly captures the wonder and enchantment of the wizarding world.
4. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles (1967): This track from the groundbreaking album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” features a harp, played by Sheila Bromberg, adding a poignant, melancholic texture to the song. Composed by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, the harp’s contributions underscore the narrative of youthful longing and parental misunderstanding.
5. “As Time Goes By” from Casablanca (1942): This classic song, integral to the storyline of “Casablanca,” is often associated with piano, but its renditions frequently include harp accompaniment, enhancing the romantic and nostalgic feel of the film. Composed by Herman Hupfeld, the harp adds a layer of sophistication and timelessness to this iconic tune.

Instruments Similar to a Harp

The harp, with its unique sound and design, shares many similarities with several other instruments from across the world. Here are five instruments closely related to the harp but distinct in their own right:

1. Lyre: An ancient stringed instrument, the lyre is held in the lap or hand and plucked with the fingers. Unlike the harp, its strings are attached to a yoke that lies across a hollow body, creating a different sound. Lyres have been important in historical and mythological contexts, especially in ancient Greece.
2. Kora: Originating from West Africa, the kora combines features of the harp and the lute. It has a large gourd covered in cowhide, acting as a resonator, with a long neck and 21 strings. Players hold the kora upright, plucking the strings with their thumbs and forefingers. Its music is integral to the Mandinka culture.
3. Zither: The zither is a family of stringed instruments that can be plucked, struck, or bowed. It has a flat body with strings stretched over it, similar to a harp’s. However, zithers are played horizontally and come in various shapes and sizes, making them versatile in sound and application across different musical traditions.
4. Autoharp: An autoharp is a stringed instrument with a series of chord bars attached to dampers. When pressed, these bars mute all strings except those that form a specific chord, making it relatively easy to play. Despite its name, the autoharp is more closely related to the zither than the harp and is popular in folk music.
5. Guzheng: The guzheng, or Chinese zither, is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument with a history of over 2,500 years. It features a long, flat body with strings stretched across movable bridges, played by plucking the strings with the fingers or picks. The guzheng is known for its expressive range and is a staple in Chinese classical and contemporary music.

If you have enjoyed reading this article and would like to learn more about the harp instrument, here are some musical resources to set you on your journey.

• “The Harp in Wales” by Bethan Kilfoil: This book offers an in-depth exploration of the harp’s role in Welsh culture and its evolution over the centuries. It provides readers with historical context, profiles of notable Welsh harpists, and insights into traditional and contemporary harp music in Wales.
• Harp.com: This website is a comprehensive resource for harpists of all levels. It features a wide range of tutorials, sheet music, and articles on harp maintenance, playing techniques, and the instrument’s history. Additionally, it offers a community forum where harpists can connect and share experiences.