The harp, also known as the harpsichord, is a multistringed instrument that stands vertically on the stage. The electric harp is based on the acoustic model, but it has been modified to amplify the sound. Using a traditional instrument cable, musicians can connect the instrument to an amplifier or PA system via a quarter-inch jack. The electric harp, unlike an acoustic instrument, often lacks a hollow sound box, which is why, like an electric guitar, it makes very little noise when played unamplified.
The electric harp was first conceived in the late 1950s, but it was not completed until the 1970s. Camac was the inventor of the first commercially successful electric harp. A piezo pickup was built into the base of each string. Many electric harps now come with shoulder straps to help musicians move around the stage more easily. Models that are clear and see-through are also available for a more lightweight feel.
Lever harps and pedal harps are the two main types of electric harps. The more traditional model is the lever harp, which is usually amplified with a microphone. They are more expensive, have solid bodies, and are also known as electric harps. On a soundboard, these harps mix more easily, and sound engineers may need to do less sonic tweaking. In this context, a harp is not to be confused with a harmonica, which is also referred to as a harp.
A pedal harp, which is acoustic-electric and can be played through an amp or on its own, is the cheapest and most practical option for most players. Built-in preamps with volume and EQ controls are included on these harps. This gives the user complete control over the sound onstage.
Harpists, also known as harpers, can use effects pedals on their electric harps. The musician can change and diversify the sounds of the harpsichord connecting one instrument cable to the pedal board and another to the amplifier. A harp’s distortion pedal, like an electric guitar’s, will bolden the tone and add density to the sound. A chorus pedal can make the instrument sound fuller and more abundant, as if multiple harpsichords are playing at the same time. While the electric harp has its roots in folk and classical music, it is now used in a wide range of genres, including Latin jazz and some rock music.