Strings

The Harp

The instrument for the family of strings that I choose is the harp. The harp has 47 strings grouped in pitch-classes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Each pitch class can be tuned flat, natural, or sharp by shifting a pedal. To hear individual notes across the range of the harp, first choose whether you want them damped or undamped. It is usually made of wood, with nylon, metal, and/or gut strings, although carbon fiber harps are now being made, which are extremely lightweight and virtually indestructible.The strings of the harp are strung across the instrument's sturdy frame in such a manner as to pull them tight and maximize the vibrations of the strings. The frame is also shaped to allow the strings to be positioned from short to long in a triangular shape, letting the player pluck both short strings and long strings at the same level. The shorter strings play higher pitched notes, while the longer strings play lower pitched notes. This is because the larger an object is, the more slowly it will vibrate, creating a deeper sound.