World of Musical Instruments

Harp

Harp

The harp is a plucked string instrument distinguished by its triangular frame and bank of parallel strings. Each string produces one pitch, and the soundboard runs almost perpendicular to the plane of the strings. Concert harps used in orchestras typically have 47 strings and seven pedals that adjust the pitch of the strings, allowing chromatic playing. Smaller folk or Celtic harps lack pedals and have fewer strings. Harps are among the oldest instruments, with evidence of harps dating back several millennia.

Family Chordophone (String)
Strings Up to 47 on a concert harp; fewer on folk harps
Playing method Plucking strings with fingers; pedals adjust pitch on large harps
Historical note Harps have been played for at least 3,000 years and appear in diverse cultures

[1] An article from Classical Music explains that the harp is a plucked string instrument whose triangular shape means each string produces one note and that the soundboard runs almost perpendicular to the strings【832510443021623†L34-L45】.

[2] The same source notes that a modern concert harp has 47 strings and seven pedals, while smaller Celtic harps lack pedals; it also mentions that the harp’s history stretches back to around 3,000 BCE【832510443021623†L41-L58】.