The harp is one of the oldest and most versatile musical instruments in the world. Known for its elegant design and ethereal sound, the harp has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. This stringed instrument has evolved over time, becoming more sophisticated and diverse. In this column, we will explore the various types of harps, how to play them, their pricing, and famous music pieces that feature the harp.
Harp Types
The harp comes in several different types, each with unique characteristics suited to different musical genres and playing styles. While the harp’s basic structure remains the same—strings stretched across a frame—the variations in design and tuning systems create a range of harps, including orchestral, folk, and pedal harps.
1. Concert or Pedal Harp
The concert harp is often considered the standard or classical harp used in orchestras. It has a large frame and up to 47 strings, and its pitch can be altered by using pedals. The pedal harp typically has seven pedals, one for each note in the diatonic scale, allowing the performer to change the pitch of the strings while playing. This makes it suitable for classical and orchestral music, where quick changes in key or sharps and flats are required.
Design: A concert harp has a large, curved frame and a distinctive, upright design. The frame is made of wood, often maple or spruce, and sometimes adorned with decorative elements.
Strings: Concert harps have 47 strings, tuned to the notes of a seven-octave range.
Pedals: These allow the performer to raise or lower the pitch of the strings by half steps, making it easier to play in different keys.
The pedal harp is known for its rich, resonant sound and is used by many classical harpists.
2. Lever Harp
The lever harp, also known as the folk or Celtic harp, is smaller than the concert harp and does not use pedals. Instead, it has levers attached to each string that can be adjusted to change the pitch of a string. This harp is typically used in folk music traditions, such as Celtic, bluegrass, and contemporary genres.
Design: The lever harp has a more compact design, with a straight, rather than curved, neck.
Strings: Lever harps usually have between 22 and 38 strings, providing a smaller range of notes than a concert harp.
Levers: The levers allow the performer to adjust each string’s pitch, making it more flexible for various tunings, although it is not as quick to change key as the pedal harp.
The lever harp is highly popular in folk and traditional music, known for its bright, clear sound.
3. Electric Harp
The electric harp is a modern variation of the traditional harp, designed to amplify the sound using electronic pickups. These harps are often used in contemporary genres, including rock, jazz, and pop, as well as for experimental music.
Design: Electric harps look similar to traditional harps but have a built-in pickup system to amplify the sound.
Strings: Electric harps typically have the same number of strings as lever harps or concert harps, but the sound is more controlled through amplification.
Sound: The sound is modified by electronic effects, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities.
Electric harps are becoming increasingly popular in live performances and for experimental music, offering unique soundscapes.
4. Paraguayan Harp
The Paraguayan harp is a traditional folk instrument from Paraguay, though it is also popular in other parts of South America. It is similar in size to the lever harp but has distinct characteristics in its design and playing style.
Design: The Paraguayan harp is slightly larger than a lever harp and features a curved shape with a deep body.
Strings: This harp typically has 36 strings, tuned diatonically.
Sound: The Paraguayan harp produces a bright, ringing tone and is known for its distinctive style, often used in Latin American folk music.
Paraguayan harps are essential in Latin American music and are often used to accompany vocalists or other instruments.
5. Celtic Harp
The Celtic harp is a smaller version of the lever harp, often associated with the music of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It is traditionally played with the fingers and is closely related to the harp used by ancient Celts.
Design: The Celtic harp has a triangular or heart-shaped frame and is often made of wood.
Strings: Celtic harps can have between 22 and 38 strings, and they are tuned diatonically.
Sound: The sound is bright and melodic, ideal for the gentle folk melodies of Celtic music.
The Celtic harp is renowned for its role in traditional music, providing the soft, haunting melodies characteristic of Celtic culture.
How to Play Harp
Playing the harp requires both technical skill and a strong sense of musicality. The player must develop an understanding of the instrument’s mechanics, including how to pluck the strings and how to make the necessary adjustments for pitch.
1. Basic Positioning and Posture
Before playing, it is essential to maintain proper posture. The harpist should sit on a bench at a height where their shoulders are relaxed, and their arms are free to move. The harp should be placed at a slight angle to the player, with the lower end of the harp resting against the player’s right leg and the top of the instrument on the left.
2. Hand Technique
In harp playing, the hands are positioned in a curved shape, as if holding a ball. The fingers should be used to pluck the strings, with the thumb resting on the edge of the string and the fingers plucking from underneath. The strength of the pluck will affect the volume and quality of the sound.
Right hand: The right hand typically plays the higher-pitched strings.
Left hand: The left hand usually handles the lower-pitched strings.
3. Pedals and Levers
For pedal harps, the pedals must be adjusted for key changes and sharps/flats, while lever harps require the player to adjust the levers on the individual strings to change the tuning. This is more cumbersome than using pedals, but it provides greater flexibility for changing keys during a performance.
4. Pedal Adjustments
To play different keys, the harpist adjusts the pedals. Each pedal corresponds to one of the seven notes in the diatonic scale. By pressing a pedal, the string is either raised or lowered by a semitone, thus changing the pitch. The adjustment allows the performer to play in different keys without retuning the instrument.
5. Reading Music for Harp
Harpists read music written in standard notation. In classical music, harpists must also be familiar with specific symbols that indicate how to pluck, dampen, or adjust the pedal for various effects. The music is typically arranged with the harpist’s hands indicated above and below the staff.
Harp Price
The price of a harp can vary significantly depending on the type of harp, its size, quality, and where it is purchased. Harp prices range from a few hundred dollars for beginner lever harps to several thousand dollars for professional concert harps.
1. Beginner Harps
For beginners, the price of a lever harp typically starts at around $1,000 to $3,000. These harps are generally smaller and made from lower-cost materials, but they are still well-built and offer good sound quality for newcomers. The prices vary depending on the craftsmanship and the brand.
2. Professional Harps
Professional pedal harps, such as concert harps, can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 or more. The price is affected by the materials used (e.g., fine woods and gut or nylon strings), the craftsmanship, and the brand’s reputation. Harps made from exotic woods like rosewood or maple may command higher prices.
3. Specialty Harps
Specialty harps, such as electric harps or unique folk instruments like the Paraguayan harp, can also be quite expensive, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on their size and features.
4. Renting a Harp
For those who want to try the harp before committing to a purchase, renting is an option. Harp rental prices typically range from $100 to $300 per month, depending on the type and quality of the harp.
Famous Harp Music
The harp has been used in a variety of musical genres, from classical to contemporary music. Many famous composers and musicians have written beautiful harp pieces, showcasing its unique tonal qualities.
1. “Liebeslied” by Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslied” (Love Song) is a romantic piece for solo harp, showcasing the harp’s ability to express delicate emotions. The piece is well-loved for its beautiful, flowing melody and is frequently performed in classical concerts.
2. “The Planets” by Gustav Holst
While not entirely a harp piece, Holst’s “The Planets” includes sections where the harp is featured prominently, particularly in the movement “Venus, the Bringer of Peace.” The harp adds an ethereal and serene touch to this orchestral suite.
3. “Harp Concerto” by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s “Harp Concerto in D minor” is a landmark in the history of the harp, one of the earliest concertos written for the instrument. The piece demonstrates the expressive range of the harp within a classical concerto format.
4. “Solfeggietto” by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Another famous piece by C.P.E. Bach is “Solfeggietto”, often performed on the harp. Its lively and fast-paced rhythms highlight the instrument’s ability to produce both soft and energetic sounds.
5. “The Fairies” by Benjamin Godard
Benjamin Godard’s “The Fairies” is a beautiful orchestral work featuring the harp. The piece is often performed as part of the harp repertoire, emphasizing the magical qualities of the harp in conjunction with the orchestra.
6. “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy
Although originally written for piano, “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy is frequently arranged for harp due to its lyrical and atmospheric qualities. The piece’s shimmering effects on the harp create a dreamy, otherworldly feel.
