Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Harp: The harp is one of the world’s most famous instruments, with a long history. Its distinctive appearance and playing style made it a special instrument.
It’s interesting that “Harp” sounds different in different languages. It is pronounced “Arpa” in Italian, Spanish, and Latin America, “Harfe” in German, “Harpe” in French, and “Harp” in English Stay with us to discover this fascinating instrument’s secrets.
From Where Did the Harp Come?
You will be surprised to learn that the harp originated several thousand years ago. About 6000 years ago, the harp was invented. Some believe the harp originated in ancient Egypt around 2500 BC, while others believe it is a Persian instrument from Persia.
The harp has changed appearance. The first frame harps were likely small and portable, made of wood and animal gut. Years of string additions and frame embellishment made the harp larger and more complex. Modern concert harps weigh up to 90 pounds and are made of wood and metal.
- Inscriptions on Persepolis columns date this instrument’s history in Iran to the Sassanid and Khosrow Parviz periods.
- The bas-reliefs of “Taq-e Bostan” show harp players playing in the boat for the Sassanid king who came hunting. Taq-e Bostan painted 5 harp players on a ship.
- In a boat where the king is hunting, “Barbad” is likely playing. We saw the harp from “7 strings to 11 strings”.
- German pedal harps, invented in the 18th century, were based on Eastern angular harps.
Poetic and Literary Harp
- Harps have been used symbolically in literature for centuries, and their meanings vary by culture. In many Western literary traditions, the harp symbolises beauty and harmony.
- In myths and legends, the harp can represent the divine or supernatural.
- The name of this instrument appears in Persepolis’ carvings and paintings as well as ancient Iranian poems, which used it as a musical sound.
- The picture below shows Shahnameh Ferdowsi and other great Iranian poets’ hand paintings of poems.
The Parts of the Harp
- Harps have triangular frames with sound amplifier boxes on the back. The upper side is a curved line where the wires are fixed, and the front side supports the other two sides like a column.
- Harp strings are usually sheep’s intestines; bass strings are steel. Each string sounds musical.
- Harps are played vertically, facing the musician. He vibrates the following notes with his right hand and bass notes with his left.
- Harp players use “eight fingers” instead of two small ones.
A harp has how many strings?
The harp looks like a right-angled triangle with wires vertically installed at its height. A harp’s string count depends on its type and size. The invention started with 4 harp strings. Modern concert harps, the most common type used in orchestral music, have 47 strings.
Harp players are called what?
- Harpists play all harps. The term originally referred to pedal harpists.
- “Abdol Ali Bagherinejad” and “Azarnoosh Sadr Salek” from Iran and “Anna-Maria Ravnopolska-Dean” from Bulgaria are famous players.
Harps make sound how?
- Plucking the harp strings makes sound. The harp amplifies sound waves from plucked strings. To tune the harp, adjust the string tension of its nylon, gut, or metal strings.
- Harp music is soothing. Its music can lift our spirits and affect our emotions. Harps and other Persian instruments like Tar can heal.
- Harps sound delicate, otherworldly, and almost mystical. Dreamlike, it can inspire awe.
Harp Instrument Types
Iran’s curved harp from the 7th century lunar calendar is one of many types. The harp appears in all Achievement to Seleucid Iranian works.
Overall, harps fall into 10 categories:
- Lever Harps
- Pedal Harps
- Latin-American or Paraguayan Harps
- Celtic or Folk Harps
- Modern Wire Harps
- Electric Harp
- Cross-Strung Harp or Chromatic Harp
- Bell Harp
- Harp Guitar
- Wind Harp
A handheld or mini harp?
A mini or handheld harp is a smaller version of the traditional instrument. It has fewer strings and notes but makes the same soothing sounds. Children and beginners learning to play the harp love mini harps, which range from simple lap harps to more traditional models.
Price Harp Instrument
Due to its complexity and difficulty, the harp has always been expensive. Harps are too expensive no way around it! Many players can afford more expensive harps thanks to financing and cheaper options. Product quality is usually determined by price.
More expensive harps sound larger and rounded, while cheaper ones sound smaller and less rounded. Levers can be harder to use on more expensive harps. Although not for everyone, harps are good starter instruments. When you’re sure, upgrade!
Cyrus Crafts’ Final Harp Comment
The pictures and inscriptions show that the harp originated 6000 years ago, changed, and evolved into its current form. Harps are expensive and varied. They use a small harp for easier transportation. We hope we answered your harp questions. Post any other harp questions in the comments.
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