Harp The Stringed Instrument - part 1
The harp is a stringed musical instrument with individual strings that run perpendicular to the soundboard and are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in a variety of ways, including standing or sitting, as well as in orchestras or concerts. It is usually triangular and made of wood. Some have multiple string rows and pedal attachments.
Harps were depicted in Mesopotamia, Persia (now Iran), Egypt, and later in India and China. Harps had spread throughout Europe by the Middle Ages.
Harps were found all over the Americas, and in some places, they were a popular folk tradition. The African continent also produced distinct designs. Harps have political symbolism and are frequently used in logos, including in Ireland.
Strings were traditionally made of sinew (animal tendons). Gut (animal intestines), plant fiber, braided hemp, cotton cord, silk, nylon, and wire have all been used.
The harp is classified as a chordophone or a string instrument. The number of strings varies greatly depending on the type of harp, ranging from a few to 47. Harps range from small portable instruments to six-foot-tall, 80-pound-weight instruments that are moved with a cart or trolley.
Harps used all over the world have at least three of these four parts:
1: Strings
2: A neck, to which strings are attached.
3: A resonator box or soundboard, to which strings are also attached and which vibrates with the movement of the strings to produce the sound.
4: A pillar or column, which stabilizes the strings
Harp resonators and necks are frequently made of wood. Gut (sheep intestines), silk, metal, or nylon are all possible materials for harp strings. Lower pitches are produced by longer strings, while higher pitches are produced by shorter strings. The instrument's range is determined by the number of strings. The majority of modern harps have an octave range.
On the pedal harp or concert harp, which is used in Western art music, additional parts can be distinguished. The concert harp has a head, neck, knee, foot, tuning pins, and pedals in addition to the four parts listed above.
Harp Classifications
Throughout history, various types of harps have been used. Many of them are still in use in various parts of the world today:
Concert harp or pedal harp
The lever harp
Harp made of wire
Harp with cross-strung strings
Double harp
Triple harp
Chromatic strung and cross-strung harp
Latin American harp
Adungu
Saung
Aeolian harp or wind harp
Because ancient harps evolved in different civilizations, their names varied. The Egyptian benet, Persian chang, South Asian yazh, and ancient Veena are all examples of ancient harps.
