A medieval harp (left) and a single-action pedal harp (right)
String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
322–5 (Composite chordophone sounded by the bare fingers)
Playing range
(modern pedal harp)[1]
Related instruments
Angular harp
Arched harp
Claviharp
Konghou (Chinese/Korean)
Pedal Harp
Triple Harp (Baroque era)
Celtic Harp (Medieval era)
Epigonion
Lyre
Yazh
Zither
Chang (instrument)
The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orchestras or concerts. Its most common form is triangular in shape and made of wood. Some have multiple rows of strings and pedal attachments.
Ancient depictions of harps were recorded in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), Persia (now Iran) and Egypt, and later in India and China. By medieval times harps had spread across Europe. Harps were found across the Americas where it was a popular folk tradition in some areas. Distinct designs also emerged from the African continent. Harps have symbolic political traditions and are often used in logos, including in Ireland.
Historically, strings were made of sinew (animal tendons).[2][3] Other materials have included gut (animal intestines),[4] plant fiber,[4] braided hemp,[5] cotton cord,[6] silk,[7] nylon,[8] and wire.[9]
^Black, Dave; Gerou, Tom (1998). Essential Dictionary of Orchestration. Alfred Publishing Co. ISBN 0-7390-0021-7.
^Lawergren, Bo (12 December 2003). "Harp". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
^Xie Jin. "Reflection upon Chinese Recently Unearthed Konghous in Xin Jiang Autonomous Region". Musicology Department, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. The konghous in Xinjiang ...skin cover...one string has been found. It is made of ox tendon...
^ ab"Ngombi (arched Harp) Fang/Kele people 19th century". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
^"lyre; harp". The British Museum. It has four (Hemp) strings and two hide thongs
^"Saùng-Gauk Burmese 19th century". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
^Williamson, Robert M. (2010). Thomas D. Rossing (ed.). The Science of String Instruments. Springer. pp. 167–170. ISBN 9781441971104.
^"Ngombi Tsogo mid-20th century". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
^"ARCHED HARP OR BOW HARP". The University of Edinburgh, Musical Instruments Museums Edinburgh. 5 wire strings attached to lateral pegs in neck and attached at lower end to perforated wooden plaque anchored into the belly
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