Harps - Directory w/ AI Reviews

Lever harps, pedal harps, and celtic harps

The harp is one of the oldest known instruments, featuring strings stretched between a neck and a soundboard that are plucked with the fingers. Concert (pedal) harps typically have 47 strings spanning nearly seven octaves, while smaller lever harps are more portable and accessible. The harp produces a shimmering, ethereal sound that is unmistakable in any musical setting.

History

Harps appear in archaeological records dating back over 5,000 years, from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The concert pedal harp was developed by Sebastien Erard in 1810, using a double-action pedal mechanism that allows the harp to play in any key. Celtic lever harps (clarsach) have experienced a revival since the 20th century, becoming popular in folk, new age, and therapeutic music.

Characteristics

Concert harps use seven foot pedals to change the pitch of each note by a semitone or whole tone, enabling chromatic playing. The strings progress diatonically, with color coding (red for C, blue or black for F) to help the player navigate. Harp technique involves plucking strings with the thumbs and first three fingers of both hands, with the pinky fingers never used.

Notable Players

Marcel Grandjany and Carlos Salzedo defined modern harp technique and pedagogy in the 20th century. Harpo Marx brought the harp into popular culture through his comedic yet genuinely skilled performances. Joanna Newsom is a contemporary harpist and singer-songwriter who has brought the instrument into indie and alternative music.

Buying Guide

A lever (Celtic) harp with 34 strings is an excellent and more affordable starting point for beginners, typically costing $1,000-$3,000. Concert pedal harps are major investments, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 or more for professional models. Lyon & Healy and Salvi are the premier concert harp manufacturers, while Dusty Strings and Rees Harps offer quality lever harps.

Fun Facts

A concert harp weighs about 80 pounds and stands approximately 6 feet tall, making it one of the largest orchestral instruments. The total string tension on a concert harp is approximately 2,000 pounds, comparable to the tension on a grand piano despite having far fewer strings.

Lyon & Healy Style 85 Concert Grand Pedal Harp 1 4.9 New Lyon & Healy Style 85 Concert Grand Pedal Harp Lyon & Healy $32,000 Professional United States 1 review One of the world's most revered concert grand pedal harps with 47 strings, Sitka spruce soundboard, and gold leaf ornamentation, delivering magnificent tone for professional orchestral performance. Dusty Strings FH36S Lever Harp 2 4.8 New Dusty Strings FH36S Lever Harp Dusty Strings $5,295 Advanced United States 2 reviews A premium 36-string lever harp handcrafted in Seattle with solid spruce soundboard and Loveland levers, producing a warm, rich sound with remarkable projection that has earned a devoted following among Celtic and folk harpists. Salvi Daphne 47SE Pedal Harp 3 4.8 New Salvi Daphne 47SE Pedal Harp Salvi $28,000 Professional Italy 1 review Professional 47-string concert pedal harp with hand-graduated spruce soundboard and smooth pedal action, delivering lush tone for orchestral and solo performance. Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 Lever Harp 4 4.7 New Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 Lever Harp Dusty Strings $1,995 Beginner United States 1 review A 26-string lever harp that serves as an excellent entry point into lever harp playing, with a sweet, clear tone and compact, portable design that is practical for traveling harpists and beginning students. Lyon & Healy Ogden Lever Harp 5 4.7 New Lyon & Healy Ogden Lever Harp Lyon & Healy $6,800 Intermediate United States 1 review A 34-string lever harp bringing legendary Lyon & Healy tone and craftsmanship to the lever harp market, with bright, projecting sound and reliable Truitt lever mechanisms. Lyon & Healy Prelude 40 Lever Harp 6 4.7 New Lyon & Healy Prelude 40 Lever Harp Lyon & Healy $5,495 Intermediate United States 1 review A 40-string lever harp covering the full range of standard lever harp repertoire, with Loveland levers on all strings and the characteristic Lyon & Healy clarity and projection. Ravenna 34 Lever Harp 7 4.7 New Ravenna 34 Lever Harp Lyon & Healy $3,150 Beginner United States 1 review Lyon & Healy's entry-level 34-string lever harp with laminated maple body and Truitt levers, offering full chromatic capability at an accessible price. Rees Aberdeen Meadow Lever Harp 8 4.7 New Rees Aberdeen Meadow Lever Harp Rees $5,100 Intermediate United States 1 review Handcrafted American 36-string lever harp from Rising Sun, Indiana, with solid spruce soundboard and cherry body producing warm, intimate tone. Salvi Ana Lever Harp 9 4.7 New Salvi Ana Lever Harp Salvi $5,500 Intermediate Italy 1 review Beautifully crafted 38-string lever harp with solid spruce soundboard and quiet Camac levers, bridging student and professional instruments with warm, singing tone. Harpsicle Special Edition 26-String Harp 10 4.4 New Harpsicle Special Edition 26-String Harp Harpsicle $399 Beginner United States 1 review A charming 26-string lap harp that has introduced thousands to harp playing through approachable size and sweet bell-like tone, with sharping levers on all strings and weighing just over five pounds.