How many strings does a harp have?
Depends on the size of the harp. Pedal concert grand harp has 47 strings, there are pedal harps starting at 40 strings, lever harps usually have 34 or 36 strings, folk harps 22.
What is the difference between lever and pedal harp?
Pedal harp has pedals to create half steps and the lever harp has levers to do the same thing. Lever harps are limited in the number of keys they can play in. Imagine that the harp strings are like white keys on the piano. If we want to create “a black key” up or down a half step, we have to do it by pushing one of the seven pedals up or down on the pedal harp or pushing the desired lever down on the lever harp.
Why are there 7 pedals on the pedal harp?
Seven pedals represent the seven tones in a scale. They are placed at the base of the harp on the left they are D C B and on the right E F G A. Pedals serve to flatten or sharpen the desirable note. There is a mechanism attached to each pedal that goes all the way through the column to each string. It ends with a set of two discs on each string. These discs tighten the string – make it a half step higher. Each pedal can be put in three positions – 1. flat ( when the string is released from the discs ), 2. natural ( one discs grips the string ) 3. sharp ( both discs grip the string) Each pedal operates on all the same note strings on the harp, meaning if you push the C pedal to the sharp position, all C stings on the pedal harp become C sharp.
What are the strings made of?
Harp strings are wire, gut and nylon. Bottom – low strings are wire, followed by the rest of the harp strung in either gut or nylon.
Why are some strings red and some blue?
They are colored for better orientation for the harpist. Every C is red and every F is blue. It would be very hard to find the right notes on the harp without this little help.
How much does the harp costs?
Lever harps start around $ 2,500, pedal harps around $ 15,000 and go up to $ 50,000!
Are older harps better than new ones?
Not really. Because of the complicated pedal mechanism, harps age just like pianos, and unlike violins, don’t increase in value with age. Aged wood might sound better, but the mechanics become unreliable. A one hundred-year-old old instrument is more of a collectible rather than a performance instrument.
How strong is the harp sound, do I need to amplify it during the wedding ceremony outdoors?
The concert harp has a stronger sound than most people think. However sound doesn’t carry well outdoors, so it is advisable to amplify the harp.
Does weather and humidity influence the harp much?
Yes, since harp is made of wood and strings are made of gut, both these materials react to weather and humidity. Strings contract under cold conditions (they sound higher ) and expand in warm weather ( lower). So it is hard to keep the harp in tune in changing weather conditions or outdoors.
Do you travel with your harp? How do you transport it?
I transport my harp all the time. It took me some time to find the right car, but eventually I found a Chrysler Pacifica, which has back seats that fold flat and I’m able to just slide my harp in there without having to take any seats out.
Do you need help transporting, loading and unloading your harp?
When performing I always appreciate helping hands getting the harp, stand, bench, music etc. out of the car.
Do I need to own a harp to start lessons?
You will need a harp to practice on. If you don’t want to purchase right away, I own several lever harps that I rent to new students for 6 months trial period. In case they are all out, I can navigate you to Rent to Own programs offered by different harp makers.
How much do I need to practice?
Depends on many factors like, how much time you have, how many other interests you pursue, how time demanding your job is etc. However it is advisable to practice daily anywhere between half hour and three hours to make progress.
How often do I need to change strings on my harp?
Depends on how much you practice and perform. Professional harpists change the entire set of strings every year and also have the harp regulated yearly.
For students doing this, once every two or three years should be enough. Of course you always have to change the odd string that breaks in between – make sure you always have a spare set on hand.
