So here’s what I’ve learned about the different sections of the harp. The first thing noticed is often the crown, at the top of the column. Many harps have very elaborate carvings, or even gold embossing. As you can see, my harp is simpler. The soundboard, which holds one end of the strings, is also a main focal point, as it typically has an elegant design. The body (also called the sound box) is hollow, and it, along with the soundboard, produces the sound. Near the base, the sound-board often flairs out gradually, beyond the width of the body. The wider the soundboard flairs, the richer the harp's tone will be. My soundboard has approximately a 2 inch flair or extension. The neck holds the tuning pins where the top of the strings are attached. If this was a lever harp, the levers would also be located on the neck. As this is a not a lever harp but a pedal harp, you can see the pedals at the base of the harp, and what I’ve labeled as the levers are called the action. Almost all harps at Lyon and Healy are made of maple wood and then stained to the preferred color. Over the 120 years that they having been making harps, they have found that maple produces the most beautiful tone and holds it better than other woods. I'll explain a little more about the difference between a pedal and a lever harp next time. Feel free to leave a comment or email me any questions!
