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Here is a
very brief introduction to the harp that teachers or students may find
useful.
For more
information, refer to the links page on
Cliona's website. Another good place to start is the International Harp Page.
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The harp is one of the oldest instruments. It dates back to
the pre-Egyptian
times.
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In Ireland the harp is the
national instrument. It is featured on all Irish coins and official
documents.
580 BC is
the first reference to a harp used in Ireland. Harpers became
established part of a king's retinue in ancient Ireland. However, the
golden era of irish harp music was undoubtably the 15th to 18th century,
peaking during the lifetime of blind harper Turlough Carolan.
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In the
1700s the french harp maker Erard produced the first single action harp
which later became the predecessor to the Concert Harps we have in orchestras today.
Concert
harps have pedals at the base of the instrument which are connected to
the strings. This allows the harpist to change the pitch of the strings
while playing.
On the
left is a picture of a concert harp being played by Harpo Marx, the
silent Marx brother.
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Around
the same time that the concert harp was being developed in Europe, the folk harp
was first introduced to the Spanish colonies in South America.
In
countries such as Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela the harp still
plays a major part in the folk music tradition.
The
technique and style of the latin harp players is quite distinct from that
of the concert harp.
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A Glissando is the italian term
for the harp effect played by running the fingers up or down the strings.
Often the
harp is tuned to a pentatonic scale when glissandos are played to give an
effect of 'magic' or 'waterfalls'.
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