Harp

:Harp is also a slang term for the diatonic harmonica; see blues harp. See also Jew's harp.

Other harps around the world

In South America, there are Mexican, Andean, Venezuelan, and Paraguayan harps. They are derived from the Baroque harps that were brought from Spanish during the colonial period: wide on the bottom and narrow at the top, with perfect balance when being played but unable to stand independently for lack of a base. The Paraguayan harp is the most popular, and is Paraguay's national instrument. It has about 36 strings with narrower spacing and lighter tension than other harps, and so has a slightly (four to five notes) lower pitch. It does not necessarily have the same string coloration as the other harps. For example, some Paraguayan harps may have red B's and blue E's instead of red C's and blue F's. This harp is also played mostly with the fingernails.

Related Topics:
South America - Mexican - Andean - Venezuelan - Paraguayan - Baroque - Spanish

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All of Africa's harps are open harps because they lack the forepillar. With the exception of Mauritania's ardin, which is a true harp, most West African harps, such as the kora, are technically classified as harp-lutes because of their two rows of strings which are strung parallel to each other but perpendicular to the soundboard.

Related Topics:
Mauritania - Ardin - Kora - Harp-lute

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In Asia, there are very few harps; in that continent, zithers such as Japan's koto predominate. However, a few harps exist, the most notable being Burma's saung-gauk, which is considered the national instrument in that country. There are no harps indigenous to Oceania or the Americas.

Related Topics:
Asia - Zither - Japan - Koto - Burma - Saung-gauk - Oceania - Americas

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