The formation of the harp as a modern musical academic instrument was preceded by a long path of its historical development. Today, the wonderful melodies of the harp are the adornment of any symphony orchestra.
Instructions
Step 1
The harp, with its delicate, transparent sound, is one of the oldest musical instruments invented by man. The origin of the harp is associated with the hunting bow, which made melodious sounds when the bowstring was pulled. The use of the harp as an accompaniment is characteristic of the civilizations of the Ancient East, ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In the Middle Ages, Irish bards played the harps, performing their sagas to it.
Step 2
The harp is classified as a stringed plucked musical instrument. It is included in the additional group of instruments of a symphony orchestra and is considered a single piece, although some works are designed for two, three, and even six harps. Despite the fact that the harp is an optional instrument in the orchestra, quite often it is included in the composition to give the piece a special magical tone. When playing in a symphony orchestra, the harpers are positioned to the left of the conductor.
Step 3
The appearance of the harp enhances its wonderful sound. Its beauty can hardly be compared with the rest of the instruments of the symphony orchestra. The metal frame of the harp is made in the shape of a graceful triangle, it is often decorated with carvings and covered with gold paint. Its lower part consists of a resonant box-box 1 meter long, which expands towards the bottom. The top is a large curved neck with tuning pegs attached to adjust the string tension. The upper and lower parts converge and form an acute angle. The columnar front beam resists the force generated by the taut strings. 47-48 strings of different lengths and thicknesses are pulled onto the frame.
Step 4
In the normal position, only one scale can be played on the harp. Various methods have been used to expand the sound range throughout the history of the instrument. But the most comfortable were the pedals invented in 1720. And today the capabilities of the harp are virtuoso: the harpists are great at wide chords, harmonics, passages from arpeggios, glissandos.
Step 5
The harp is assigned the role of creating a colorful, vibrant atmosphere, a sense of wonder. She often accompanies solo musical instruments. But often she is entrusted with spectacular solos. Such is the part of two harps in Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony. Before the composer, the harp was used in the orchestra to imitate the sound of a lute, guitar or harpsichord. Later, this instrument could often be heard in the works of Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Wagner and Liszt.
