Harp

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

Wire-strung harps (clarsach or clairseach)

The Gaelic wire-strung harp is called a "clarsach" in Scotland or a "clairseach" in Ireland. A metal-strung harp has a clear bell-like sound much prized for its sweetness and loudness.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Ireland

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The wire-string harp's origins go back at least prior to the 11th century. The 11th century Maedoc Book Shrine of Ireland clearly shows a harper with a triangular framed harp including a "T-Section" in the pillar (or Lamhchrann in Irish) indicating the bracing that would have been required to withstand the tension of a wire-strung harp.

Related Topics:
Maedoc Book Shrine - Ireland - Irish

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The Irish and Highland Harps by Robert Bruce Armstrong is an excellent book describing these ancient harps. There is historical evidence that the types of wire used in these harps are iron, brass, silver, and gold. Three pre-16th century examples survive today; the Trinity College harp in Ireland, and the Queen Mary and Lamont harps, both in Scotland.

Related Topics:
Iron - Brass - Silver - Gold - Trinity College - Harp - Ireland - Queen Mary - Lamont harps - Scotland

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Edward Bunting was commissioned to notate the music played by the harpers at the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival. He published his first volume in 1796. He continued to collect the music of the Clairseach and published his second and third volumes in 1809 and 1840 respectively. A reprint of the 1840 edition is now available from Dover Publications.

Related Topics:
Edward Bunting - 1792 Belfast Harp Festival - Dover Publications

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Dennis Hempson (O'Hampsey) was the last of the harpers who played in the old style using the fingernails to pluck while the finger pads are used to damp. He also was one of the last to use the left hand in the treble. He was in his 90s at the 1792 festival and died in the beginning of the 19th century. He took the unbroken tradition of wire-strung harping with him to his grave.

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Since the 1970s, the tradition has been revived. Ann Heymann has done the most pioneering work in reviving this tradition by playing the instrument as well as studying Bunting's original manuscripts in the library of Queens University, Belfast. Other notable players include Patrick Ball, Cynthia Cathcart, Alison Kinnaird, Bill Taylor, Siobhán Armstrong and others.

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As performers have become interested in the instrument, harp makers ("Luthiers") such as Jay Witcher, David Kortier, Ardival Harps, and others have begun building wire-strung harps. The traditional wire materials are used, however iron has been replaced by steel and the modern phosphor bronze has been added to the list. The phosphor bronze and brass are most commonly used. Steel tends to be very abrasive to the nails. Silver and gold are used to get high density materials into the bass courses of high quality clarsachs to greatly improve their tone quality. In the period, no sharping devices were used. Harpers had to re-tune strings to change keys. This practice is reflected by most of the modern luthiers, yet some allow provisions for either levers or blades.

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