Physics of a harp

When a harp string is plucked, it vibrates with a certain frequency, compressing and decompressing nearby air* and making sound waves of the same frequency. The frequency of the vibration in the string is set by the length of the string, the tension in the string, and the material it is made of.

1. How does harp play?
2. How does a harp change pitch?
3. What is the timbre of the harp?
4. Why is the harp so calming?

How does harp play?

Harp players pluck the strings with their fingers, similar to a guitar. This makes the strings move so that the strings make sounds. Each string sound is a different musical note. Harp players play music by plucking the strings in the right order and at the right time.

How does a harp change pitch?

The harp relies on 7 foot pedals to change the pitches of its 47 strings. They allow the harp to play chromatic notes but this also means that composers need to be aware of the need to allow sufficient time for pedal changes.

What is the timbre of the harp?

Gentle, metallic, blurring, resonant, short, hard, drifting, full-sounding, rushing, clear, brilliant, glittering, flowing, dull, mellow, sharp, crystal clear, reverberating, splashing, cascading. The attack time is short and depends on the length of the string.

Why is the harp so calming?

Diane Schneider, a classical musician who trained at the University of Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music, believes – in humans and in animals – certain harp vibrations resonate directly with the body's cells. Those vibrations help release tension in muscle tissue, calm anxiety, improve digestion, or induce sleep.