The harp is a musical instrument with strings that are slanted across its wooden surface. These strings are played by plucking them with fingers. Harps can be played while sitting or standing. Most harps are made of wood and have a triangular shape. Some models have several rows of strings and special foot pedals.

Ancient drawings of harps have been found in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), Persia (now Iran), and Egypt. Later, harps were also used in India and China. By the medieval period, harps were common in Europe. Today, harps are found in many parts of the Americas, where they are used in traditional folk music. Unique designs also developed in Africa. Harps have been used in political symbols and appear in logos, such as in Ireland.

In the past, harp strings were made from sinew (animal tendons). Other materials used over time include gut (animal intestines), plant fibers, braided hemp, cotton, silk, nylon, and metal wire.

In music written for pedal harps, it is best to avoid using double flats and double sharps when possible.

History

Harps have been used in Asia, Africa, and Europe for thousands of years, with records dating back to at least 3000 BCE. In Europe, harps were very popular during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Over time, new technologies led to many different types of harps, which were spread to Europe’s colonies, especially in Latin America.

Some early harps from the Near East and South Asia are no longer used today. However, harps similar to ancient ones are still played in Myanmar and parts of Africa. Other types of harps that were once common in Europe and Asia are now played by folk musicians.

The earliest harps and lyres were found in Sumer around 2500 BCE. These were discovered in burial sites and royal tombs in Ur. In ancient Egypt, wall paintings from around 3000 BCE show arched harps, which look like bows without the supporting pillar found in modern harps. In Persia, a type of harp called the Chang was used from about 4000 BCE until the 17th century CE.

Around 1900 BCE, arched harps in the Iraq-Iran region were replaced by angular harps with vertical or horizontal sound boxes. The Kinnor was an ancient instrument used by the Israelites. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, though its exact appearance is unclear. Today, it is often called a harp or lyre and is linked to images on ancient coins. It is considered the national instrument of the Jewish people, and modern makers have recreated it based on historical designs.

By the start of the Common Era, angular harps became popular in the Hellenistic world and were used in the Sasanian court. Later, these harps were redesigned to be lighter, but this made them less sturdy. During the 1300–1600 CE period in Persia, these light harps were still shown in art, even though they were no longer used as musical instruments.

Marble statues from the Cycladic civilization (2800–2700 BCE) show people playing harps. In Bhimbetka, Mesolithic cave paintings depict harp playing. An arched harp made of wood and metal strings is shown on an Indus Valley seal. In ancient India, the Tamil Sangam literature describes harps with 14 to 17 strings, used by traveling musicians. Temple statues from around 600 BCE show the yaal harp, which was inspired by the shape of a bow.

Another early South Asian harp was the ancient veena, which is different from the modern Indian veena (a type of lute). Gold coins from the 4th century CE show King Samudragupta playing the veena. Today, a similar instrument called the saung harp is still played in Burma.

Harps were also common in ancient China and nearby regions. The Chinese konghou is documented as early as the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE). A similar harp called the Gonghu was played in ancient Korea, as early as the Goguryeo period (37 BCE–686 CE).

In Europe, harps often used a "pillar" to support the arch and soundbox. A triangular harp frame is shown on 8th-century Pictish stones in Scotland and in 9th-century French manuscripts. The curved neck of the harp helps keep the strings evenly spaced.

As European harps evolved, musicians needed ways to play more complex music. By the Baroque period, more strings were added to allow for chromatic notes. In 17th-century Germany, harps used manually turned hooks to raise string pitch. By the 18th century, pedals were added to these hooks, leading to the invention of the single-action pedal harp.

The first pedal harps were made in Austria’s Tyrol region. Jacob Hochbrucker improved the pedal mechanism around 1720, followed by Krumpholtz, Naderman, and the Erard company, which developed a double mechanism with two rows of hooks. While some European harps became complex, others remained simple and evolved into modern traditions.

In the Americas, harps are found in some regions, such as Mexico, the Andes, Venezuela, and Paraguay. These traditions began with harps brought by Spanish colonists. The Paraguayan harp is the national instrument of Paraguay and has 36 strings. It is played with fingernails and has a deep, wide soundbox.

Harps are also found in Argentina, though they were replaced by organs in religious music in Uruguay by the late 18th century. In Brazil, harps were historically used, mainly in the south.

The Andean harp, also called the Peruvian harp, is used by Quechua and Aymara people in the Andes. It has a large resonator box that gives it a rich, deep sound. It is often used in love songs and dances like the huayno. A famous player was Juan Cayambe from Ecuador.

In southern Mexico, the arpa jarocha is played while standing. In Chiapas, a different style of harp music is performed.

Harps arrived in Venezuela with Spanish colonists. There are two main traditions: the llanera harp (used in the plains) and the arpa central (used in central regions). By the 2020s, three types of harps are common in Venezuela: the traditional llanera harp (32 strings, made of cedar), the arpa central (with wire strings), and the electric harp.

In Africa, many types of harps exist, but they are not typically the three-sided frame harps found in other parts of the world.

Modern European and American harps

The concert harp is an advanced musical instrument, known for its use of pedals. These are foot-controlled levers that change the pitch of strings, allowing the harp to play all the notes in the musical scale. The pedal harp has seven pedals, each affecting the tuning of all strings that share the same musical note. From left to right, the pedals on the left side are labeled D, C, and B, while the right side has E, F, G, and A. Pedals were first added to harps in 1697 by Jakob Hochbrucker of Bavaria. In 1811, Sébastien Erard improved the pedal system to a "double action" design, which is still used today.

Adding pedals expanded the harp’s musical abilities, helping it become part of classical orchestras, especially in the 19th century. Before this, the harp was rarely used in classical music, with only a few composers like Mozart and Beethoven using it occasionally. Cesar Franck’s use of the harp in his Symphony in D minor (1888) was considered a major change in music, even though the harp had been used in orchestras before. In the 20th century, the pedal harp appeared in other types of music, such as in a 1929 comedy film starring Arthur "Harpo" Marx, in jazz music by Casper Reardon in 1934, in a Beatles song from 1967, and in works by musician Björk. In the 1980s, Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider introduced the concert harp to new audiences through his popular music albums and performances.

Today, there are mid-sized harps with nylon strings and sometimes levers but no pedals. These harps range from two to six octaves and are played with fingers, using similar techniques as orchestral harps. Though they resemble older European harps, their designs are modern. They are often called "Celtic harps" because of their connection to Ireland and Scotland, or "folk harps" because they are used in non-classical music, or "lever harps" to distinguish them from pedal harps.

The modern Celtic harp began appearing in Ireland in the early 19th century, after the last traditional harpers had died. This broke the connection between old Gaelic harping traditions and the later revival of Celtic harping. In Dublin, John Egan created a new type of harp with gut strings and a simplified lever system, shaped like the historical Irish harp. A similar harp was also made in Scotland during the 1890s as part of a cultural revival. In the mid-20th century, Jord Cochevelou designed a variation of the Celtic harp called the "Breton Celtic harp." His son, Alan Stivell, became a leading figure in Celtic harping worldwide.

A multi-course harp has more than one row of strings, unlike the more common "single course" harp. On a double-harp, two rows of strings run parallel on either side of the neck. Both rows are usually diatonic (using notes from the basic scale) and may have levers to adjust pitch.

The triple harp originated in Italy in the 16th century and was later brought to Wales, where it became known as the Welsh harp (telyn deires, "three-row harp"). It has two outer rows of diatonic strings, like a double-harp, and a third row of strings in between that provides the missing chromatic notes (notes not in the basic scale). The strings are spaced so the harpist can reach the inner row to play chromatic notes when needed.

Some harps use extra strings instead of pedals or levers to play chromatic notes. The Welsh triple harp is one example. Other instruments that use this method are the cross-strung harp and the inline chromatic harp.

The cross-strung harp has one row of diatonic strings and a second row of chromatic strings arranged in an "X" shape. This allows the right hand to play the top row and the left hand to play the bottom row, or vice versa. This design was first recorded in Spain and Portugal in the 17th century as the "arpa de dos órdenes" ("two-row harp").

The inline chromatic harp is a single-course harp with all 12 notes of the chromatic scale in one row. Single-course inline chromatic harps were first made in 1902 when Karl Weigel of Hanover patented a model.

Modern electric lever harps, both hollow-body and solid-body, are made by companies like Lyon & Healy, Salvi, and Camac. These harps use piezo-electric sensors on each string, often paired with small microphones to create an electrical signal. Hollow-body harps can be played acoustically, while solid-body harps require amplification.

The Gravikord is a modern electric double harp made of stainless steel, inspired by the West African kora. It was developed in the late 20th century.

Structure and mechanism

Harps have three main parts: a neck, a resonator, and strings. Frame harps and triangular harps have a pillar at the long end to support the strings. Open harps, like arch harps and bow harps, do not have a pillar.

Harps are usually shaped like triangles and made mostly of wood. Strings are made of gut, wire, or modern materials like nylon and metal. Some harps use catgut, nylon, metal, or a mix of these materials. Each string is attached at the top to a crossbar or neck, where a tuning peg or similar device adjusts the string’s pitch. The string runs down to the resonator, where it is tied with a knot. On modern harps, the string’s hole is covered with an eyelet to protect the wood. The distance between the tuning peg and the resonator, along with the string’s tension and weight, affects the pitch. The hollow body of the harp vibrates when the string is plucked, creating sound.

The longest side of the harp is called the column or pillar. Some older harps, like bow harps, do not have a pillar. On most harps, the pillar supports the neck against the tension of the strings. On pedal harps, the pillar is hollow and holds rods that adjust the pitch. These rods are controlled by pressing pedals at the base of the instrument.

Harps vary in size and design worldwide. Smaller harps can be played on the lap, while larger ones are too heavy to hold and rest on the floor. Pedal harps are generally larger than lever harps.

Earlier harps had strings that produced only one note each. This meant they could only play in one key at a time and needed to be retuned for other keys. Over time, musicians and craftsmen developed methods to expand the range of notes and allow for sharps and flats, like those found on modern harps:

• Adding extra strings to cover additional notes, sometimes in separate rows.
• Attaching small levers to the crossbar that raise a string’s pitch by a semitone when moved.
• Using pedals at the base of the instrument to adjust small pegs on the crossbar, changing the vibrating length of the string without altering its tension.

These methods make harps more versatile but also increase their complexity, weight, and cost.

On lever harps, a string’s pitch is changed by flipping a lever. Each lever shortens the string slightly, raising the pitch by a chromatic sharp.

On pedal harps, pressing a pedal adjusts levers on all strings of the same note across all octaves. For example, pressing the C pedal changes every C note to a C sharp. Most pedal harps also allow a second step to adjust a second set of levers. Pedal harps are standard instruments in orchestras during the Romantic music era (about 1800–1910 CE) and in 20th and 21st century music.

Terminology and etymology

The modern English word "harp" comes from the Old English word "hearpe," which is similar to the Old High German word "harpha." A person who plays a pedal harp is called a "harpist." A person who plays a folk harp is sometimes called a "harper" or a "harpist." Both can also be called a "harp-player," and these terms are not always used strictly.

Many instruments that are not true harps are sometimes called "harps" in everyday language. Instruments like the aeolian harp (wind harp), the autoharp, the psaltery, the piano, and the harpsichord are not harps but are instead zithers because their strings run parallel to their soundboards. True harps have strings that rise nearly perpendicular from the soundboard. Instruments such as harp guitars and harp lutes are chordophones but belong to the lute family, not the harp family. Instruments like the lyre and kithara are also not harps but are part of the lyre family, which is a group of ancient chordophones closely related to zithers.

The word "harp" has also been used for instruments that are not chordophones. For example, the vibraphone is sometimes called the "vibraharp," even though it has no strings and makes sound by striking metal bars. In blues music, the harmonica is sometimes called a "blues harp" or "harp," but it is a free reed wind instrument, not a stringed instrument, and is not a true harp. The Jew's harp is neither Jewish nor a harp; it is a plucked idiophone and not a stringed instrument. The laser harp is not a stringed instrument at all. It is an electronic instrument shaped like a harp that uses laser beams instead of strings.

As a symbol

The harp has been a political symbol of Ireland for many centuries. Its origin is unknown, but ancient writings and stories show that it has been used in some form since at least the 6th century or earlier. According to tradition, Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland (who died in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014), played the harp, as did many important people in Ireland during the time of the Gaelic Lordship of Ireland (which ended around 1607 with the Flight of the Earls after the Elizabethan Wars).

In traditional Gaelic society, every clan and chief of importance had a harp player who composed songs called eulogies and elegies (later known as "planxties") to honor the leader and important members of the clan. The harp became a symbol of the Kingdom of Ireland on coins starting in 1542. It also appeared on the Royal Standard of King James VI and I in 1603 and has been shown on all English and United Kingdom Royal Standards since then, though the designs of the harps varied slightly. The harp was also used on the Commonwealth Jack of Oliver Cromwell in 1649, the Protectorate Jack in 1658, and the Lord Protector's Standard when Richard Cromwell took power in 1658. The harp is also used on the flag of Leinster.

Since 1922, the government of Ireland has used a similar left-facing harp, based on the Trinity College Harp in the Library of Trinity College Dublin, as its official symbol. This design first appeared on the Great Seal of the Irish Free State, which was later replaced by the coat of arms, the Irish Presidential Standard, and the Presidential Seal in the 1937 Constitution of Ireland. The harp is used on official state seals, documents, and Irish passports. It has also appeared on Irish coins from the Middle Ages to the current Irish imprints of euro coins.

The South Asian Tamil harp, called the yaal, is the symbol of the City of Jaffna in Sri Lanka. Its legendary origin is said to come from a harp player.

The arms of the Finnish city of Kangasala include a red, eagle-headed harp.

In Christianity, heaven is sometimes shown as a place where angels play harps, giving the instrument a connection to the sacred and heavenly. In the Bible, Genesis 4:21 mentions Jubal, the first musician and son of Lamech, who was "the father of all who play" the harp and flute.

Many artistic depictions of King David in Jewish culture show him holding or playing a harp, such as a sculpture outside King David's tomb in Jerusalem.

The harp is also used as a corporate logo by companies that have or want to suggest a connection with Ireland. The Irish brewer Guinness has used a right-facing harp (opposite the left-facing version used by the Irish government) as its emblem since 1759. The Harp Lager brand has used the harp since 1960. The Irish Independent newspaper has used a harp in its masthead since 1961. The Irish airline Ryanair, founded in 1985, also uses a stylized harp in its logo.

Other organizations in Ireland use the harp in their identities, though not always prominently. These include the National University of Ireland and University College Dublin, as well as the Gaelic Athletic Association. In Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Queen's University of Belfast also use the harp as part of their identities.

In sports, the harp appears in the emblem of the League of Ireland football team Finn Harps F.C. and Donegal's senior soccer club. Outside Ireland, the Scottish Premiership team Hibernian F.C. (founded by Irish emigrants) also uses the harp in its badge.

Not all uses of the harp in sports refer to Ireland. For example, the Iraqi football club Al-Shorta has used a harp as its emblem since the early 1990s. The club earned the nickname "Al-Qithara" (meaning "the harp" in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic) because a television presenter compared their playing style to the sound of a harp.