Listen to the harp
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
How the harp makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the harp belongs to the harps: strings run at an angle away from the soundboard, each plucked open.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
Range of the harp
The typical range of the harp runs from C1 (32.7 Hz) to G7 (3,136 Hz) – about 6.6 octaves. Harmonics extend its sound far higher.
From Wikipedia
The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be played in either a seated or standing position. Most commonly, harps are made of wood and are triangular in shape. Some have multiple rows of strings and pedal attachments.
Ancient depictions of harps were recorded in Mesopotamia (Iraq), Persia (Iran) and Egypt, and later in India and China. By medieval times, harps had spread across Europe. Harps are found across the Americas; in some regions, they are used in traditional folk music. Distinct designs also emerged from the African continent. Harps have symbolic political traditions and are often used in logos, including in Ireland.
Other harps
Frequently asked questions
What does a harp sound like?
Listen to 2 recordings on this page. As one of the harps, its sound comes from the way strings run at an angle away from the soundboard, each plucked open.
What type of instrument is the harp?
It is classified as harps (Hornbostel–Sachs 322).
Sources & credits
- Chopin - 12 Études, Op. 25 - No. 1 in A-Flat major 'Harp Study' (Edward Neeman) by Frédéric Chopin – Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
- Sonatina Harp (Antti Luode) by Antti Luode – CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Wikidata Q47369 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Harp – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Eacquahdennis – CC BY 4.0