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View Full Version : Harps (and harpists) need more attention


Iris
August 24th, 2011, 12:55 PM
It's sad that one of the most beautiful and ancient instruments is so uncommon these days. So many people have never even heard a harp being played. I play the harp, and I think it's the most beautiful instrument on the planet. So here are some random harp vids exhibiting different genres of music:

First, pedal harps. These harps are the ones used in orchestras:

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^skip the first minute if you want to get straight to the music.

Second, lever harps. These harps are made more for folk music, and it's the kind of harp that minstrels used back in the Middle Ages (though obviously it's improved since then):

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Third, the electric harp :cool: :

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And, in the interest of fairness, the glass harp:

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Angel Androgynous
August 24th, 2011, 01:16 PM
I love this thread! Harps are so under-appreciated... yet they are so beautiful.

Iris
August 24th, 2011, 03:05 PM
I love this thread! Harps are so under-appreciated... yet they are so beautiful.

Agreed. It's unbelievable how few people play it...

Guillermo
August 24th, 2011, 05:03 PM
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CocoRosie frequently uses harps in their songs. This is perhaps the most beautiful live song they've done with a harp.

Harps are very beautiful instruments. (:

And by the way, I had never heard of a glass harp before this thread.

deadpie
August 24th, 2011, 06:47 PM
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Iris
August 24th, 2011, 10:01 PM
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CocoRosie frequently uses harps in their songs. This is perhaps the most beautiful live song they've done with a harp.

If you're interested in artists that incorporate harps, check out Florence and the Machine. They use the harp a lot, and it actually plays a big part in their songs. My favorite is:

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because the harp is very noticeable, and even has a solo at the end.

And by the way, I had never heard of a glass harp before this thread.

I'm glad I introduced you to it! There are loads of youtube videos featuring the glass harp that you can check out.


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The second one is beautiful. His harp really resonated nicely. The third one was also really nice.