While there have been many variations over the years, modern performers typically use one of three types of harps. The pedal harp is a common instrument in orchestral music, and it excels at playing pieces with sharp and flat notes. The lever harp, on the other hand, is a simpler instrument that is frequently recommended to beginners. The design of portable lap harps is similar to that of lever harps; in fact, many lap harps have levers. The majority of harps are strung with nylon or gut, but wire strung harps have a distinct sound.
The ability to play sharp and flat notes is the main difference between the various types of harps. Only natural notes, no flats or sharps, could be played on the earliest harps. If a song requires a sharp note, the harpist must tune the harp string to make the note sharp. The harp string would need to be tuned again to return to a natural note. While playing, the performer can quickly switch from natural to flat or sharp using levers and pedals.
Pedal harps are the most adept at this transition. At the harp’s base, there are seven pedals, one for each note from A to G. There are three settings for each pedal: natural, sharp, and flat. All of the harp’s A strings play A sharp if the harpist moves the A pedal to the sharp position. The pedal harp is the most versatile of the three types of harps, but it is also the most heavy, with complex internal mechanisms, making it the least portable and expensive of the three.
The tone of a lever harp is controlled levers located along the instrument’s neck. A note can be changed from natural to sharp or flat moving the levers up and down. The left hand is required to move these levers, and playing without disrupting the game can be difficult if frequent switches are required. These are much lighter and less expensive than pedal harps, making them the best choice for beginners.
Lap harps are much smaller than other types of harps, and they typically have fewer strings than harps that are played on the floor. Some lap harps are small lever harps, while others lack a tone-changing mechanism. These are typically less expensive than other types of harps and are ideal for spontaneous jam sessions and get-togethers. Despite their diminutive size, lap harps may require the use of an instrument strap or a lap board in order to play comfortably.
Instead of nylon or gut, Irish wire harps are strung with metal wire, usually brass. This distinguishes them from other types of harps in terms of sound. The wires are under a lot of tension, and levers can’t be used without breaking the strings. To change the tone of the string, paddle-shaped blades are used instead.