Harp

The harp is a <a href="/facts/Stringed_musical_instrument/srW2H8dV">stringed musical instrument</a> that has individual <a href="/facts/String_(music)/ITsEwger">strings</a> running at an angle to its <a href="/facts/Sound_board_(music)/7DKT5GGW">soundboard</a>; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orchestras or concerts. Its most common form is triangular in shape and made of wood. Some have multiple rows of strings and pedal attachments.
Ancient depictions of harps were recorded in <a href="/facts/Mesopotamia/f0mmbhTK">Mesopotamia</a> (now <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>), <a href="/facts/Iran/24yukge8">Persia</a> (now <a href="/facts/Iran/24yukge8">Iran</a>) and <a href="/facts/Ancient_Egypt/BDsEGK4g">Egypt</a>, and later in <a href="/facts/India/QW4TV4sy">India</a> and <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a>. By <a href="/facts/Medieval_times/Iqtfw9xT">medieval times</a> harps had spread across Europe. Harps were found across the Americas where it was a popular <a href="/facts/Folk_music/yFHpeE7k">folk</a> tradition in some areas. Distinct designs also emerged from the African continent. Harps have symbolic political traditions and are often used in logos, including in <a href="/facts/Ireland/35vYxXdP">Ireland</a>.
Historically, strings were made of <a href="/facts/Sinew/M0Kdf7Fy">sinew</a> (animal tendons). Other materials have included <a href="/facts/Catgut/f9G8NkQU">gut</a> (animal intestines), plant fiber, braided hemp, cotton cord, silk, nylon, and wire.
In pedal harp scores, <a href="/facts/Double_flats/gS2acguR">double flats</a> and <a href="/facts/Double_sharps/dUgIJtHX">double sharps</a> should be avoided whenever possible.

Harp open-in-new

Harp