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Harp Information

History of the Harp

T

he harp is one of the oldest instruments known to humankind, dating back to at least 3000 B.C. The ancient Egyptians had elaborate golden harps that were used in harp ensembles and temple worship. During the middle ages, itinerant European harpers earned their living by moving from town to town, using small harps for self-accompanied singing, storytelling, and in instrumental consorts. The harp had such mystical significance that many kings or chieftans had harpers in their employ, believing the instrument to possess magical powers. It was not unusual for a harper to remain unharmed during battles, being respected by the enemy and considered immune from attack. The modern orchestral harp was not perfected until the 19th century.

The Pedal or Concert Harp

This is the large harp seen playing with orchestras, in formal recitals and in jazz ensembles. It has a system of seven foot-operated pedals which allows the harp to change keys or pitches rapidly. It is very impressive in both size and appearance and is capable of more volume than most stringed instruments. It is very expensive to own, cumbersome to move and difficult to play well. Today's concert pedal harps have 44 to 47 strings and encompass over six octaves.

The Lever or Folk Harp

This smaller, less imposing harp, is ideally suited for use in museums, boutiques, floral gardens and a variety of historical settings. It employs a system of hand-operated levers on the strings to change individual pitches; therefore, it is best suited for performing simple, diatonic music. Persons who play this harp are called "harpers" rather than "harpists." The range of a lever harp varies from 3-5 octaves, depending on the model and size.

Types of Harps Owned by the Performer

There are many different types of harps available today. Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher owns the following instruments, and chooses the harp to suit the demands of the occasion:

(1) 46-string Walnut & Maple Pedal Harp	(2) 44-string Natural Maple Pedal Harp	(3) 34-string Bubinga Lever Harp	(4) 34-string Maple Neo-Gothic Harp

(1) The two-tone harp (far left) is used for orchestra, recital work or cathedral weddings where a striking visual appearance is desired, more range and larger volume of sound. (Venus "Protege" model)

(2) The 7/8 size natural maple harp (second from left) is used for most weddings and church functions where a traditional, elegant, and understated appearance is desired. (Venus "Prodigy" model)

(3) The medium lever harp (second from right) is used for most Celtic ensembles where portability is desired, but some volume is needed. (Lyon & Healy "Ogden" model)

(4) The medium gothic harp (far right) is used for Ren Faires/Weddings and early music events where a more portable, lighter-tension instrument is desired. (Another Era "Neo-Gothic" model)