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history of the harp
first found in ancient egypt : 2500 BC
- these harps were shaped like bows, and they had very little amount of strings
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- these harps had no column /pillar
- the shape is very different than the harp that we know now
IRISH HARPS
800 AD
- had 30-36 brass strings
- these Irish harps are more developed than the first harps found in ancient Egypt, and the Irish harps have stronger necks/columns.
diatonic harps
1800AD
- these harps were found in Continental Europe
- these harps were less curved
- they are sometimes referred to as the Renaissance Harp
- these harps have 24 or more gut strings.
triple strung harps
1700AD
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- were found in Italy in the 16th or 17th century
- these harps had three parallel rows of strings, the two rows on the outside are diatonic, and the one row in the middle was chromatic
single action
pedal harps
1770AD
- these harps have only 5 pedals, and only has 2 pedal positions
- they have a disc system, and also has a soundbox
Chromatic/
cross strung harps
1800ad
- these harps were rather peculiar, having two necks/columns and two bodies
- they were physically difficult and practically abandoned by mid 1950s
Double action
pedal harps
1810AD
- these harps have 7 pedals and 3 pedal positions
- they have a double disk system, and this type of harp is the one that is commonly used/seen now
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