Celtic Harp vs. Pedal Harp: Which Is Your Perfect String Fit?

It doesn't matter how big the room is; a harp's sound has a special way of changing the feeling. If you're thinking about buying a harp, you've probably seen two main types: the Celtic Harp and the Pedal Harp. You might be asking, "Celtic Harp or Pedal Harp: which is better for me?" We're here to help make things clearer as you start looking. We'll point out the features of each to help you choose a harp that will be your musical friend for life.

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The Celtic harp, which people also call the folk or lever harp, is a smaller instrument. It has wire and nylon strings and is mostly used in Scotland and Ireland for folk music. The pedal harp, on the other hand, is also known as a concert or classical harp. It is a bigger, more complex instrument used mainly for orchestral music. People who play the Celtic harp are called “harpers,” while those who use the pedal harp are known as “harpists.”

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Let's look at the differences between the Celtic Harp and the Pedal Harp. We'll check out their history and how they changed music and culture. Keep reading to learn some interesting stories and little-known facts about these instruments. You'll find out there's a lot more to these harps than you first see.

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The World of Harps

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The harp is a pretty and flexible musical instrument found in many cultures and times. With its nice sounds, it has amazed people through history. The word "harp" is thought to come from Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon, or Old German languages, with all of them meaning "to pluck." The harp family has different types, including the Celtic Harp and Pedal Harp. These are made for different kinds of music and places. In this piece, we will look at their different features, history, and the things that make them related as members of the harp group.

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The Celtic Harp

Definition and Musicians

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The Celtic Harp, also called the Folk Harp or Lever Harp, has a long history in the musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland. It's a smaller instrument known for its wire and nylon strings that give a clear, bright sound.

Old records show Celtic Harps existed way back in the 8th or 9th century in Scottish stone carvings. By the year 1000, these harps had moved across Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, becoming a big part of their stories and customs. Even now, the sounds of these harps still connect with people with a special, lasting feel.

Musicians who play the Celtic Harp are known as "harpers." In the past, they held an important place in society, often serving as advisors to kings and leading troops into battle with their music. Their effect is still felt today with a new group of musicians who support the Celtic Harp. They not only perform using this old instrument but also work to show its past and cultural value, making sure its wonderful music continues for people to hear later on.

Appearance and Sound

When looking at what makes the Celtic Harp different from other harps, it's important to look at their differences in look and sound.

First, their looks. Celtic Harps are usually smaller than pedal harps, which gives them a nice look. This smaller size makes them easier to handle and carry. This is good for different places or small shows, along with their normal use in folk music.

A big thing that makes the Celtic Harp different is the tool used for changing the pitch. Pedal harps use pedals located at the bottom of the instrument. Celtic Harps feature levers placed at the top. This lets harpers adjust the pitch by moving these levers fairly easily.

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To get how the pitch mechanism works, think of a piano keyboard. On a piano, white and black keys are different notes, with the black keys giving you sharps and flats. In the old days, harpers had to retune their strings by hand to get these different notes. Now, using the lever system, they can easily adjust the pitch. This lets them get the same kinds of notes as the black keys on a piano.

When it comes to sound, the Celtic Harp has a medium volume. It makes a bright and pretty sound that pulls listeners in. This special sound is a key part of Celtic Harps. It continues to make musicians and listeners like them.

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History of the Celtic Harp

The Celtic Harp's history is over a thousand years old. The first known pictures are found carved in Scottish stone by the 8th or 9th century. As a good fit for different kinds of music, Celtic Harps spread quickly across Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This started a long line of melody and tradition.

In old Scotland, harpers were seen as a key part of society. The music of their harps was a signal that was heard across the battlefield. Their melodies not only made celebrations more lively but also gave comfort during times of mourning.

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One of the most famous symbols of this history is the Brian Boru Harp. It was named after a famous High King of Ireland. This harp is now pictured on Guinness bottles, Irish coins, and the Presidential seal. This shows Ireland'sstrong tie with the harp.

Sadly, saving Celtic Harp music was hard because it was passed down by ear. But, recent times have shown a nice comeback. Modern-day harpers are bringing new life into this old instrument. They are making sure the amazing music of the Celtic Harp continues to excite people later on.

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The Pedal Harp

Definition and Musicians

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The Pedal Harp, also called the Concert Harp or Classical Harp, is a complex and often larger instrument mostly used in art music. The big feature of a Pedal Harp is its pedal system found at the bottom of the instrument. This system gives exact control over pitch changes, letting it make full, clear sounds.

The Pedal Harp is mentioned as far back as Biblical times when David played the harp for King Saul. The healing sound from David's harp supposedly freed Saul from a bad spirit, showing the harp's big role in history.

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The musicians who play the Pedal Harp are usually called "harpists." Their hard work for the instrument helps keep it in use in modern music today. They follow in the musical footsteps of some of history's greatest composers.

Pedal Harpists, much like their Celtic harper friends, have a big part in keeping the harp important in music. They do this whether they're playing in the back of a symphony orchestra or giving amazing solo performances.

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Appearance and Sound

The Pedal Harp's special design and nice look make it different from the smaller Celtic Harp. The Pedal Harp is eye-catching. It stands taller and often has fancy carvings and details. Its larger size doesn't just make it look grand; it also has a direct effect on its sound quality.

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When telling harp types apart, a big point that marks the Pedal Harp is its complex tool for changing pitch. Unlike the Celtic Harp's lever system at the top, the Pedal Harp uses a set of seven pedals at the bottom. These pedals match each letter in the musical alphabet. This lets harpists get a wider range of pitch variations with more accuracy. This system makes it easier to switch between different keys or hard chord changes, making it a great pick for advanced art music.

The larger size of the Pedal Harp also helps its sound. It gives a louder and fuller sound. This feature is very important, especially when playing in a larger space or with a full orchestra. Even with the differences in look, tools, and sound, both the Pedal and Celtic Harps come from the same family. This shows the instrument's ability to fit in and work well in different kinds of music.

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History and Use of the Pedal Harp

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The Pedal Harp's beginnings go back to early history, with mentions of harps found in the Bible, showing they are very old. Over time, the Pedal Harp changed a lot, becoming a flexible instrument that played a big part in shaping art musicin many cultures.

Adding the pedal system changed the harp. It widened its musical abilities. It let harpists play hard classical songs. This change opened new doors for harps, making them a regular part of orchestras and giving musicians more creative choices.

Using a Pedal Harp has its good and bad points. One of the biggest pluses is its big range of pitch variations—made possible by the pedal system—which gives players more notes to use. The Pedal Harp's size helps its sound carry, making it better for larger spaces and full orchestral groups. Also, the full sound of a Pedal Harp is a key part of its design.

But, the same size that helps it can also be a problem. Pedal Harps are heavier and less portable than their Celticcousins. This makes them hard to move around. Also, their larger size and complex pedal system often make them more expensive than Celtic Harps.

Even with these problems, the Pedal Harp has kept its important place in music. This shows the strong feeling and hard work of its players. It keeps grabbing listeners with its powerful, moving sound.

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Comparison Between Pedal and Celtic Harps

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The Pedal and Celtic Harps share the same start but have different features that shape their use and pull for musiciansand listeners.

Physically, Pedal Harps are larger and heavier, which changes their volume and sound. They make a louder, fuller sound, fitting for big orchestras or larger performance spaces. Celtic Harps, being smaller and lighter, make for a portable and personal instrument, making a clear, pretty sound good for solo performances and group sessions.

When it comes to song opportunities, the Pedal Harp's bigger range and pedal system let harpists play more complex classical compositions. The Celtic Harp, on the other hand, is tied to folk music. It offers a big library of tunes, specifically in Celtic music.

The pedal and lever tools play a big part in both harps. Pedals in Pedal Harps let the player make small pitch changes. Levers in Celtic Harps give the harper similar playing flexibility, just with less complexity.

Simplicity and complexity are in these harps. The Pedal Harp, with its detailed design and function, shows complexity. In contrast, the Celtic Harp holds simplicity with its more direct design and easy-to-use lever system.

So, the choice between the Pedal and Celtic Harp often comes down to the personal needs and wants of the musicians. Each harp offers a separate history, sound, and musical experience to have.

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Final Thoughts

Starting to learn the harp is exciting. You get to find out about its history and the ways it can be played. Picking a Celtic or a Pedal Harp really changes your musical path. Knowing their differences is important for making a good choice.

Both the Celtic and the Pedal Harps have special features. They offer good points based on the musician's goals. The Celtic Harp is liked for its lighter weight, portability, and nice sounds. It works for folk music lovers, beginners, and players in smaller spots. The Pedal Harp, with its big range, complex parts, and more volume, is good for classical music lovers, new composers, and people playing in big groups or places.

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The main thing in selecting the right harp is matching it with your goals, style, song list, and practical needs. Doing research, trying out both harp types, talking with skilled harpists, and thinking about what you like will help you choose.

Thinking about these things makes sure you find more than just an instrument. You find a musical companion that fits your hopes and your feelings for the wonderful sound of harp music.

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For a more thorough introduction to Celtic music, the NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Celtic Music furnishes an A-to-Z glossary of musical terminology, lists of essential CDs, a history of the art form and its profound influence on modern music, and profiles of notable musicians. Find out more through this link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gpW5rL