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Heavenly Instruments – Pedal Harps

An ancient Egyptian harp on display in some UK...
Image via Wikipedia

When world renowned harpist Peter Sterling floats a chord, it is like listening to the whisper of the wind among the trees. The harp instrument creates such magical and angelic music that it fills your body, mind and spirit. The ethereal music that can be created using a harp can touch one’s heart and soul. With the endearing quality of harp music to be soothing and unobtrusive, the demand for harp music for relaxation and sense of tranquility has increased. Harp music is commonly used in dinners, receptions, or parties as a pleasant background without interfering with quiet conversation.

The harp instrument has been used for centuries. It is one of our most ancient musical instruments. It is a multi-stringed instrument and generally categorized as chordophones. It is roughly triangular in shape and primarily made of wood. Individuals who plays the harp is either called a “harpist” or a “harper”. The term “harper” is usually used by Folk musicians whereas “harpist” is used for classical musicians. The harp instrument has been used for ages. It was thought to have originated from plucking the string of a hunter’s bow. The harp and the closely related lyre, has been part of almost all culture predominantly used in the olden times by medieval bards, troubadours and minnesingers.

Through time, the design and improvements of the harp instrument gained popularity in the 20th century. Before, the orchestra composers were unable to use the harp extensively because it cannot keep up with the other orchestra instruments due to many key changes and accidental passages found in most orchestral music. With the advent of pedals added to the harp instrument, the limitations were removed. Currently, the pedal harp is among the most popular type of harp instrument commonly used by harpists. This modernized type of harp is also known as a concert harp and is primarily designed for classical music. It can primarily be played solo, as a part or member of an orchestra, or a part of chamber ensembles. Pedal harps are diatonic instruments which are fitted with the double-action pedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism, allow chromatic alterations and key changes. It raises the pitch of given strings by a semitone or by both the semitone and the whole note.

You can purchase harps cheaply by buying a used pedal harp online. There are many used harp for sale online that are of high quality and made by some of the most distinguished brands in harp making so you get a huge bargain if you know how to look for them on the internet.