Harp

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

The pedal/concert harp

The pedal harp, or concert harp, is large and technically modern, designed for classical music and played solo, as part of chamber ensembles, and in symphony orchestras. It typically has six and a half octaves (about 47 strings), weighs about 80lb (36 kg), is approximately 6ft (1.83 m) high, has a depth of 4ft (1.2 m), and is 21.5in (55cm) wide at the bass end of the soundboard. The notes range from three octaves below middle C to three and a half octaves above, usually ending on G. The pressure of the strings on the sound board is roughly equal to a ton. The lowest strings are made of copper-wound nylon, the middle strings of gut, and the highest of nylon.

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The pedal harp uses the mechanical action of pedals to change the pitches of the strings. There are seven pedals, one for each note, and each pedal is attached to a rod or cable within the column of the harp, which then connects with a mechanism within the neck. When a pedal is moved with the foot, small wheels at the top of the harp rotate. The wheels are studded with two pegs that pinch the string as they turn, shortening the vibrating length of the string. The pedal has three positions. In the top position no pegs are in contact with the string and all notes are flat. In the middle position the top wheel pinches the string, resulting in a natural. In the bottom position another wheel is turned, shortening the string again to create a sharp. This mechanism is called the double-action pedal system, invented by Sébastien Erard in 1810. Earlier pedal harps had a single-action mechanism that allowed strings to play sharpened notes.

Related Topics:
Pedals - Pitch - Flat - Sharp - Sébastien Erard - 1810

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Lyon and Healy, Camac, and other manufacturers also make electric pedal harps. The electric harp is a concert harp, with microphone pickups at the base of each string and an amplifier. The electric harp is a little heavier than an acoustic harp, but looks the same.

Related Topics:
Lyon and Healy - Camac - Electric harp

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