Harp

Harp

The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones (stringed instruments) and has its own sub category (the harps). All harps have a neck, resonator and strings. Some, known as frame harps, also have a pillar; those without the pillar are referred to as open harps. Depending on its size, which varies, a harp may be played while held in the lap or while it stands on a table, or on the floor. Harp strings may be made of nylon, gut, wire or silk. On smaller harps, like the folk harp, the core string material will typically be the same for all strings on a given harp. Larger instruments like the modern concert harp mix string materials to attain their extended ranges. A person who plays the harp is called a harpist or harper. Folk musicians often use the term "harper", whereas classical musicians use "harpist".

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Famous quotes containing the word harp:

    The world is burdened with young fogies. Old men with ossified minds are easily dealt with. But men who look young, act young and everlastingly harp on the fact that they are young, but who nevertheless think and act with a degree of caution that would be excessive in their grandfathers, are the curse of the world. Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don’t know what they are conserving.
    Robertson Davies (b. 1913)

    Sweet is the day of sacred rest;
    No mortal cares shall seize my breast;
    O may my heart in tune be found
    Like David’s harp of solemn sound.
    Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

    Strike the concertina’s melancholy string!
    Blow the spirit-stirring harp like any thing!
    Let the piano’s martial blast
    Rouse the Echoes of the Past,
    Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)