Harp (Celtic) — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Harp (Celtic)Type: instrumentA small to medium-sized lever harp associated with Irish, Scottish, and Welsh musical traditions, featuring levers for semitone changes.## History The Celtic harp (also called the Irish harp, clàrsach in Scottish Gaelic, or telyn in Welsh) has ancient roots in the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Archaeological and historical evidence places the harp in Ireland from at least the 10th century, and it became the national symbol of Ireland—the only country in the world with a musical instrument as its national emblem. Medieval Irish harpers were highly valued members of Gaelic aristocratic households, composing music for their patrons. The tradition of wire-strung harp playing declined in the 18th century but was revived in the 19th and 20th centuries, predominantly with gut- and later nylon-strung instruments. Today, the Celtic lever harp is played worldwide, with a vibrant tradition of both traditional and contemporary harp music. ## Construction Modern Celtic harps range from small lap harps (22 to 26 strings) to larger floor-standing models (34 to 38 strings or more). The frame consists of three parts: the soundboard (made from spruce or cedar), the pillar (the front support), and the neck (the curved upper piece from which strings descend). Strings are nylon, gut, carbon fiber, or, for historical reproductions, brass wire. Sharping levers (also called blades or ditals) are mounted on the neck at each string, allowing the player to raise individual strings by a semitone without retuning. This lever system provides limited key change capability compared to the pedal harp but is simpler and lig…