Psalteries remain popular to this day and aren’t restricted to folk music.

However, they’re generally played by plucking the strings or with a bow, as opposed to a hammer. These instruments have a square or triangular soundbox and resemble the dulcimer in design. One of the harps most revered in Judaism, the psaltery was an instrument played by David. See Also: 13 Different Clarinet Types 12. Despite the beautiful sound they produce, Paraguayan harps tend to be rarely used. This large Latin harp has some similarities to those you’d find in an orchestra, except the pillar is straight as opposed to curved. They have lower heads than their gothic counterparts and are very popular among performers. This modern lever harp resembles its more traditional Celtic cousin, but uses nylon strings instead of gut. They also had a simple enough design that they could be painted or otherwise adorned to the musician’s specifications. The earliest versions arose in the 10th century and featured a triangular frame.ĭue to their small size and unobtrusive shape, musicians could easily take them from one burg to the next. This precursor to the modern harp has many differences from older harps such as the lyre, yet still share many similarities. Read Also: Types of Accordions (with Pictures) 9. Regardless, it remains one of the most iconic types of harp and can be found throughout both mythology and modern fantasy. This instrument has seen countless iterations in that time, and may almost be considered a small family of instruments as a result. One of the oldest types of harp still in use, the lyre can be traced as far back as 3200 BCE. While it may look more complicated, the strings actually allowed for a full range of notes without the need for additional tuning. The harp had three rows of strings, with the middle row being tuned to shaprs. One of the more unusual types of harp, the harpa doppia predates traditional three-stringed harps and was most popular in Italy and Spain. See Also: 13 Different Kinds of Cellos 7. When played, they can produce sounds similar to a steel-stringed guitar, wire-stringed harp, and bass guitar all at once.

The shape is that of a guitar, complete with fretboard, but there are a total of 20 strings in three rows. This unusual instrument is both literally and figuratively a coss between harp and guitar. It also has a narrow frame and a thinner soundboard than Celtic harps. This descendant of Celtic harps is characterized by its high head and sharp angles. While they’ll never replace the sounds of a traditional harp, electric harps are quite popular with musicians who want something a little different. Electric harps produce quality sound that can be recorded directly. In the modern age, instruments that have been modified to use amplifiers are in a class of their own. However, the unique sound and resonance of the earth harp make it one of the most audibly stunning types of harp out there. The longest string measures 300 feet long, resulting in an instrument so big it’s impossible to transport. Perhaps the most unusual harp of all, the earth harp is a 42 string instrument that sometimes requires two people to play. Both versions have flat backs, an enclosed lower section, and an open upper section. One version is curved in a shape similar to that of a violin, while the other is more boxy. Crwth Harp Credit: ĭescribed by many to be a cross between a harp and violin, the crwth is a traditional instrument in two flavors. In some regions, it’s known as an English harp or fairy bells. The instrument is played using the thumbs while gently swinging it with both hands.

These unusual harps have a shape similar to a zither but sound like bells. See Also: 24 Types of Drums Types of Harps Of course, there are a lot more than two kinds of harp, so let’s take a look at some of the many varieties out there. Due to their larger size, pedal harps are less common for small performances but are still considered the go-to for professional harpists. They take longer to master, but the payoff is being able to play uninterrupted. Pedal harps, conversely, use a number of pedals to shift between sharps, flats, and naturals during a performance. Levers can be set during a performance, but are usually adjusted prior to a song to avoid interruption. These harps tend to be smaller and are rarely used for large performances due to their limitations. These levers must be adjusted by hand and allow the string to play its note as a flat, natural, or sharp. Lever harps have small levers at the top of the strings for tuning purposes. In Christianity, cherubs and other stylized angels are often seen playing small harps, and harps are generally associated with heaven while bells are often linked to hell.īut harps go well beyond religious use, and there are two major categories most harps fit into: Lever and Pedal. One of the oldest surviving instruments, harps have become so revered that they’re a staple of religious imagery.

Hand held harp