Q&A for How to Play the Harp

The pedals make the strings become sharp, natural or flat. You use the pedals if the piece calls for sharp, natural or flat notes.

Consistency is difficult and requires a lot of effort. Like any instrument, you need to make a habit of practicing the harp every day in order to become proficient. Even if you just set aside 30 minutes a day to practice, it will help immensely.

It works the same as a pedal harp, except that you would flip the levers to control the sharps and flats.

It depends what you want it for. Lever (celtic) harps are often used for younger students, however, they can be used by all, and are a smaller alternative to pedal harps. They are rather difficult to use in an orchestra, as they simply won't carry! But lap harps won't either, they are often used for music therapy, or relaxation techniques!

As explained in the article, the strings are a C major scale. The white notes are like those on a piano. The red strings are C, then they go up to D, E, F, G, A, B, and back to C, all the way up the harp.

Harps are considered ambidextrous; you can play them regardless of your dominant hand.

It depends what dynamic level you are playing at. You don't want to play so soft that the tone is weak, but you don't want to play so loud that the tone is harsh and unpleasant. You will get a fuller, rounder tone when you focus on closing your fingers into your palm when you pluck. Let your fingers work, not your arms or wrists. Whether playing soft or loud, always close deep into your palm for the best tone quality.

It is really hard for a harp to sound bad, but depending on how antique or out of tune it is, it won't sound perfect. You may need to get it refurbished.

No. It is not very common for the left hand to play the tune. However, it is possible.

Playing the strings in either ascending or descending order, one at a time, is known as an arpeggio.

If you are using a pedal harp, having the pedals in the top position is flat, the middle is natural, and the bottom is sharp. With a lever harp, the lever up is sharp, the lever down is natural. To play flats on a lever harp, you need to tune the string a half step lower. Try tuning the string a half step lower while the lever is down; then when you put the lever up it will be natural and down it will be flat.

A lever harp does not require the use of your feet or legs. You cannot play complicated music with a lever harp, but there is still plenty you can do with it.

If you are sitting the right distance away from the harp, it shouldn't feel heavy on your shoulder. Tilt it back just enough so that it can almost balance on its own, then sit where your shoulder is right around that point. If you are sitting too far back, the weight of the harp will all be on your shoulder instead of balanced on the harp itself.

It really sounds pretty much like the pedal harp, though the latter typically has a larger range. Most people could hear both and never know the difference unless they were a harp player.