The harp is a musical instrument played by plucking its strings, which is why it is considered a plucked chordophone. Moreover, it holds a prominent place in the history of music. This is because the harp is still the most ancient instrument known, crafted in various forms and widespread across every country and significant historical period.

Let’s explore the origins of this ancient musical instrument, capable of evoking a unique and captivating charm.

The Origin, History, and Evolution of the Harp: The Oldest Instrument Ever Discovered

The earliest known harps date back to the ancient Egyptians, around 2500 BC. However, their design was quite different from what we recognize today, as ancient harps had a very limited number of strings due to the lack of a supporting column to handle the high tension of the strings. The so-called frame harp, which includes a sturdy front column, first appeared in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. Although few historical records survive from this period, surviving artworks suggest medieval harps typically had 10 or 11 strings. The transition to more modern harps began in the 14th century, with instruments from Ireland featuring a resonating soundbox for amplifying the player’s sound.

Harps in continental Europe were quite different from those produced in Ireland. European harps had a thinner, straighter front column, and the neck was less thick with an upward curve towards the top of the column. These are known as Renaissance harps, comprising a minimum of 24 gut strings attached to the soundboard via brays. It wasn’t until the 17th century that harps began to be constructed with various solid and primarily straight bodies. The so-called triple-string harps only became popular in Italy at the end of the 16th century and the start of the 17th century. Soon after, the ingenious invention of the double-string harp emerged, with strings strategically placed and tuned to allow two-handed playing. By plucking between the two strings, musicians could achieve chromatic notes using the adjacent row.

In triple-string harps, the two outer rows were tuned to the diatonic scale, while the middle row was tuned to the chromatic semitones of the outer rows. This design offered two main advantages. First, it made it easier to play pieces with rapidly repeated notes. Second, the doubled outer rows enhanced the resonance of the instrument.

Types of Harps Through the Centuries

In addition to the aforementioned Irish and Renaissance harps, many other variations of this ancient instrument have appeared throughout history.

A predecessor to the Renaissance harp is the Gothic harp. Beginning in the 14th century, slightly larger harps than those previously used began to spread. Known as Gothic harps, they featured about 24 gut strings and were slightly taller than earlier models.

Another notable variant is the Spanish harp. Early Spanish harps typically had one or two rows of non-parallel strings, distinct from Italian harps. These harps usually featured 29 or 30 strings arranged in a cross-strung manner, creating a chromatic X-shape where diatonic and chromatic strings intersected, enabling harpists to play every note with both hands.

In the 1600s, the Spanish Renaissance harp was brought from the Old World to the New World, evolving uniquely into Central and South American styles, such as the Paraguayan harp. This version is known for its softer sound and lighter build.

The Harp’s Journey from Past to Present

Among the many harp designs, one stands out for its lasting impact: the double-action pedal harp, developed in 1810. Unlike single-action harps, which could not play in all keys, double-action pedal harps addressed this limitation. In these models, the seven pedals can be pressed twice, allowing strings to pass through two different toothed discs instead of one. When the pedal is first pressed, the upper disc partially rotates to tighten the string, altering its pitch, while the lower disc rotates without engaging. Pressing the pedal again rotates the lower disc, further increasing string tension. This innovation remains in use today on modern harps.

Two internationally acclaimed harpists hail from Italy: Clelia Gatti-Aldrovandi (d. 1989), the first harpist for the Teatro Regio di Torino from 1919 to 1921, who later gained fame as a concert performer and harp teacher, and Alberto Salvi, renowned for his solo performances during an era when most harpists were accompanists.

In conclusion, the harp is an instrument enriched by numerous historical influences, which have shaped its design and technical development in many ways. As we’ve seen, harps have ancient origins and are often named after the regions where they flourished. Today, the harp remains a beloved instrument, incorporating innovations from the past, such as the double-action pedal system still used in modern harps.