Folk Music Blog

2007-02-01T11:24:00.000-08:00

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2006-12-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

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2006-11-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

A History of the Harp

Throughout history, the harp has played a major role in all musical cultures. From ancient Egypt, to David's Jerusalem, from Medieval Ireland, to modern America, harps have diversified, while their popularity fluctuated. The modern Concert Harp has both an ancient and colorful history.

The harp can be traced in Egypt as early as 4000 BC. Uncovered ancient Egyptian Harps are on display in museums, most notably in the United Kingdom. Since the Egyptian Harp was large and did not have the support of a pillar, it has been conjectured that the Egyptian Harp was strung loosely with long strings. The Egyptian Harp would therefore have played bass. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptian Harp was still in use and popular as late as the Greek-Roman period.

Though many instruments have their roots in the Bible, the Kinnor, or David's Harp, is the first stringed instrument to be mentioned. The Kinnor has been identified as the Greek cithara. However, Semites were playing the Kinnor before Greece was a country. Unbelievably, the Kinnor of the Semitic period was more developed than the Classical Greek cithara. Apparently, each culture developed their harp to the best of their abilities.

Irish culture has grown around the Celtic Harp. In fact, Ireland's national symbol is based on the Trinity College Harp, and early Celtic Harp. Celtic Harps on display, date back to the 1400's. Unfortunately, much of Celtic Harp culture was destroyed during the 1700's, under English rule, when harps were burned. Efforts were made to save Celtic Harp culture before it would be too late.

In 1792, a harp festival was held in Belfast. Edward Bunting wrote down much of the surviving music. Despite such attempts, much of Celtic Harp culture was destroyed. It is a relief to Celtic Harp lovers that the Celtic Harp is making a comeback. Not only have the Irish revived their age old traditions, they have succeeded in spreading their love for the Celtic Harp to remote corners of the globe.

Most recently, the lever harp was invented. Harp makers added hooks to classical harps in the 1600's. The hooks could be moved by using a pedal, which would push the hook against the string. Each note could thereby be played a semitone higher. Later, harp makers thought to add a second row of hooks, which could adjust the harp's pitch by as much as two semitones. The double hook harp is better known as the modern Concert Harp.

Harp popularity saw a decline in Western culture in the early 1800's. Though the harp had once been played by both men and women, it had become much more popular the gentler sex. Despite this shift, the harp is loved for its beautiful and sweet tones.

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