Choosing The Right Harp
Harps can be tricky instruments to buy as they vary in style, size and range. Different harpists have different opinions about the instrument and this is why when choosing a harp for yourself, you should make sure to buy one that feels comfortable to you and that sounds good to you. There are some things you should know to understand harps a little better and help you pick the right one.
The immediate priority is determining if you should get a pedal or lever harp. The pedal harp can vary in size slightly and allows you to change the pitches of the strings to get sharps and flats from the left hand and both the feet. It has seven pedals on the base with one pedal for each note. You can get three pitches out of a single string by using the pedals with your feet and playing with your hands.
The lever harp comes in a number of sizes. You can find ones that fit in the player’s lap and ones that are five feet tall. They are also known as Irish or Celtic Harps. A player can change the pitch of a string with levers used at the top of a string in a lever harp.
The size of the harp is another thing that you will need to consider. Generally, the more strings, the bigger the harp. Smaller harps can not hit the same low notes a larger harp can. The most strings a harp can have is forty-seven and the least is only nine.. Smaller harps usually have a range of twenty two to twenty three strings
A harp body includes the back and side of the sound box and is usually in shapes such as round backs, square or rectangular backs, and staves. Round backs are comfortable to play and are durable instruments made of quality wood. However, stave backs and solid wood squares often resonate better. Square backs help amplify the string vibrations since they have the most air space and they also resonate more freely than the round backs made of laminated wood. Staves, on the other hand, combine the sound quality of the solid wood with the comfort of the round backs, which is why they are the most popular design.
Another factor is the type of wood selected for the solid wood. The most common woods used for the sound box are the walnut, maple, mahogany, and cherry. Walnut gives richness to the sound and mahogany gives a brighter and cleaner sound. Hardwoods may also be used and give the best tonal quality. However, they are quite expensive.
The strings that are played have their vibrations amplified by the soundboard. It should be thin for better vibration but not weak as that can lead to threads snapping.
Looking after your harp is relatively simple.Keep direct sunlight off your harp with some good quality window shades such as bamboo roman shades which will match the look of your harp. Keeping moisture away from your instrument can be achieved with a portable dehumidifier.
If recording your harp is your long term goal you may want to consider some home studio equipment.
Small harps are quite economical and the cost increases as the range and the numbers of strings increase. Things to think about when buying a harp are your comfort level and how much you are willing to spend. See to it that you get what you are paying for.