See picture. After fitting the key onto a tuning peg, turning the handle changes the key of each string. flat) and wind to the centre position of the tuning meter display as sometimes if you go above the note the string will eventually wind down and settle slightly flatter than intended. Powered by Shopify. It will also usually enable you to play through one or two levels of beginner books with no problem (most method books and introductory books stick within these keys). C $339.15. Sturgis Mid West Inc starts vast range of Celtic Irish Rose Harp. Modes, like any other scales, are simply a pattern of tones and semitones (e.g. It has an engraved and inlaid rosewood frame with a birch soundboard for exceptional sound and strength. sheet music). Lyre Harp, Vangoa 10 Steel String Mahogany Lye Harp, Maple Bridge with Padded Carry Bag, Tuning Wrench, Extra String Set, Manual 4.4 out of 5 stars 81 $69.99 Make sure the tuning wrench fits all the way down on the tuning pin before you begin tuning. Some older books and tune collections (e.g. It includes a tuning tool and one extra string set. Tuning a harp typically requires an electronic tuner, a clip-on tuner pickup and a tuning wrench, as well as a certain amount of coordination. . There are a couple of reasons for this. Tuning Key Some reasons why people choose not to tune with flats are: they find that the strings don’t ring quite as true with levers engaged, and/or they only play modal tunes or tunes in sharp keys, or they can’t afford to have a full set of levers installed on their harp. These pieces are terrific for a small double strung harp. There are people who will tell you that one key is “better” or “worse” than another. The larger the array of lights, the finer your tuning can be. ), so I know! your F’s and/or C’s are tuned to F# and/or C#, with levers disengaged), then you will not be able to play in C major or A minor (this is why people usually tune to C and then add F and C levers to get the sharps). - Anne, © 2021, Music Discoveries Even if most of your harp is perfectly in tune, when you get to that one string that’s off, your tuning key will be in place, and you won’t have to try to figure out which tuning peg tunes which string. Includes tuning tool and extra string set. The Pixie Harp has 19 DuPont hard nylon strings that range from F below Middle C to High C, and it has 19 sharpening levers. Approximately 31" high. No worries! More items to explore. We've now combined our harp tuning wrench with the Snark clip-on electronic tuner to make a single handy tuning device, the Dusty Duo-Tune. However, people who rely mostly on sheet music, or want to sing with the harp, or want to play in a group, may find the lack of levers (and key variety) restrictive. Lyre Harp 19 String Mahogany Tuning Wrench Wooden Musical Instrument Pickup New. Make sure you are tuning to the correct note. US $123.30 - 133.20-39%. How a harp is tuned partly depends on what type of harp you are playing. You may then have to tune up again as you may have fallen below pitch. Tune the harp string until the needle or the green LED stabilises on the centre position. When it’s time to “walk” up the neck with your 3 fingers, feel for the next tuning peg with your right hand thumb. Some people choose to only include one or two flats – e.g., if you want to play medieval music, you will likely come across Bb fairly often, but that’s about it. ($15, Only $10 when bought with a tuner). Digital files may not be shared. If your tuner doesn’t pick up the high notes, sometimes attaching the mic clip (see next paragraph) directly to the tuning pin will allow the tuner to pick it up. However, if you are turning the tuning pin and nothing seems to be happening, STOP and check to make sure you haven’t gotten out of line with the string. Website by Hannah West Design | All content copyright Mountain Glen Harps, What Key To Tune To? If that is a C on your harp, then you would be on C, D, E, (thumb on E). C $226.07 shipping. Some people suggest a C major tuning as a good start for beginners since it is less confusing when you don’t have to worry about flipping levers all the time. However, some people may find they don’t need an extensive range of keys, for instance if they only play Celtic, folk or early music. The lights and/or needle will give you a clue as to how far out of tune you are. It may also be used on a very small instrument, such as a lyre or miniature harp. The lap harp is in very good condition and comes with the following items. It has a large clear meter with pointer position calibration. Sorry, you will still have to tune your harp a lot, as so far there is no successful model for a custom self-tuning-harp ! Since levers can be expensive, this enables you to be frugal and still gives you some variety of keys to choose from. Phrygian: E F G A B C D E If not back off the tuning peg just a hair. RELATED PRODUCTS . So you have your new harp, all ready to play ?? For the sake of simplicity, below I’ve listed the main Greek modes as they would be played on a harp tuned in C: Under a metal swing tab. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. My very first harp (a 22-string lap harp) had working levers only on C’s and F’s, and I played it quite happily for three years before I started to really long for a wider range of keys. Featuring the smooth, sleek look of the Chelby levers is reflected in their functionality. Recommended tuning (at A=440): diatonic, g-d’’’ or f-c’’’ *This harp can be restrung in gut, please request a price quote. Back. (Back to Top / Back to Beginning of “What Key?”), While it’s not as common to tune your harp to the scale of G or D major, people who plays lots of Celtic/folk music and/or hymns will find themselves playing in these keys quite often. It still can happen. The argument for this tuning is similar to the one for C major without levers (see above) – you can always re-tune your harp (and/or add levers) if you find your changing musical tastes or repertoire require it. If it should fall off, you could have a big dent in your soundboard. People who are good at improvising or transposing might choose to just keep their harp lever-free, e.g. 19 STRINGS WITH LEAVER. Special Nylon strings. Tuning Key, Spare set of strings, Soft Carry Bag. The screen should show which particular note you are tuning. or Best Offer . Now you can give the gift of music with a Music Discoveries Gift Card! Pages: 15 pages (cover + 7 arrangements)Format: PDF instant harp sheet music downloadKey: G Major (F sharps required) Level: Early Intermediate Harp Terms of Use: Single User License (see below). It won’t hurt the finish on your harp because it’s padded. An example of a chromatic scale would be: C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C All seven pieces are written with F sharp in the key signature. Tuning is A0-C8. I'd be happy to keep you up-to-date on new music, featured products and sales in my shop. Free returns. Lap harps (e.g. A quality harp starter package at a great price for the beginner harpist. (Children can easily break strings by turning the tuning pins too much.) If the green light is on, but so is one of the red lights to the left (or if the needle is just to the left of center), then you know you are just a hair flat. The more expensive tuners last longer than the less expensive tuners and they are rated for a larger note range. We do a lot of harp tuning at Dusty Strings and this awkward process was begging for an improvement. Verity of N ylon Strings, Solid Wood with hand Engraved Styles, Hand Made and Polished harps available. Ionian (same as “major”): C D E F G A B C (see photos below). Follow your Bliss, and live your Life in Joy! Which is also in very good condition. If the green light is on with a red light to the right (or if the needle is just to the right of center), then you’re a hair sharp, and sometimes pulling on the string a little bit will bring you right in. 9 watching. C $701.59. ), it will probably only leave a little black mark on the soundboard which will come off easily. plus $6.00 p/h/ins, Selectable auto-tuning, manual-tuning, and Sound Modes. I would suggest that you never leave your tuning key on the tuning peg without your hand on it. (C major / Modal & Pentatonic / Flat Keys / Sharp Keys) You can see just how far off you are and turn the tuning pin the appropriate amount. Turn the key to sharpen the string just a little tiny bit. small harps with 19-25 strings) are less likely to come with a full set of levers. Featuring 19 DuPont hard nylon strings, a range from F below Middle C to High C, 19 sharpening levers. Most lap harp kits and electronic tuners include a tuning key—a small "L"-shaped silver instrument with a hole that fits over the tuning pegs on the sides of the instrument. Like with many harp-related things, it is not so much a matter of right and wrong, but is rather very subjective and individual, and depends on a number of factors, including: what type of harp you have, how much musical experience you have, what style(s) of music you want to play, and how much theory you know. I have gotten quite good at that with practice although I tend to tune them a tad sharp. Aoelian (also known as “natural minor”): A B C D E F G A No worries! It allows the tuner to hear the note more clearly and keeps it from hearing extraneous noises, especially when tuning  where there is lots of background nose. They are also more commonly used by beginners than bigger harps. Needle tuners are usually too jumpy for me, but the combination of the lights and the needle available in the Korg CA-30 to the left works well. Wood coloring and variations may differ from photo. The harp has 2 broken strings(a new pack of 16 strings is included for you to chose and install the proper replacement) The harp has some scratch marks made by the tuning tool holder. Place your tuner on a chair, your music stand or on the floor. The adjustments needed to tune your Lap Harp are very small. Or again you can pluck louder, on a different part of the string, quiet the harp, move the mic clip right on to the tuning peg for that string or tune by ear using octaves. Locrian (rarely used): B C D E F G A B. So instead of trying to tell you the “right way” to tune a harp, I’ve presented some of the more common keys/tunings, with explanations as to why some people choose them and others don’t. Digital files may not be shared with others. The 19-string Pixie harp would be a your best choice! Theme by Safe As Milk. I try a few different things at this point, I pluck louder, I pluck on a different part of the string, I quiet all the strings on the harp by damping them with my arm (especially the bass wires), or I as I mentioned at the beginning, move the mic clip. Permission is granted for the purchasing teacher to make unlimited copies for students within that person’s private teaching studio. Pluck the string, and slowly turn the key to flatten the note to its target pitch. and ash plywood back. In order to navigate out of this carousel, please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. We recommend tuning this harp in C major, or the key you play most in. Many lap harps come tuned in the scale of C major. Tuning in Different Modes and Keys The arrangements are accessible for early intermediate players with fingering and brackets clearly indicated. A collection of 7 TRADITIONAL TUNES that you will love to play on your 19 string harp (or larger). Especially in the wound strings, if you tune with a lever up, one of the windings may get caught so that when you lower your lever, you won’t have a true pitch anymore. Myxolydian: G A B C D E F G Of course, there are several methods one can use to tune a harp depending on the specific harp that one has. I have seen very experienced harp players do this and I cringe every time. Try our 12 String Harp Cig Bag and go with the 19, 22, 27 or the large 36 Strings Harp Cig Bag making carrying these rather heavy and elegant instruments much easier. It’ll get easier and faster the more you do it. Free shipping. Buyer Protection. 15 String Lever Harp Small Mini Harp Nylon Strings with Free Bag & Tuning Tool. 2. An example of a diatonic scale would be: C D E F G A B C You should be able to do this without looking. For instance, I play in a trio that plays Celtic and Classical mainly, and our keys range all the way from Eb major (3 flats) to A major (3 sharps) and occasionally E major (4 sharps). Includes 19 string Pixie harp with upgraded Chelby levers, 77 page Mel Bay's Basic Harp for Beginners book, and Snark Clip-on Chromatic Tuner! Tune the flat strings to the target pitch of the selected tuning stage. Reduced - Slight Seconds - our last two remaining harps before new stock arrives at the end of March. Dorian and Aeolian, for instance, are quite common in Celtic music (and other folk music), as is Myxolydian. I often see people trying to tune holding their tuner in their left hand. Many lap harps come tuned in the scale of C major. Lyre Piano 19 Strings Wooden Mahogany Lyre Harp Musical Instrument 16-string With Tuning Wrench And Spare Strings … Built in microphone. 10 music song sheets, 1 tuning tool, 1 restringing guide, 1 spare harp string, 1 instruction sheet, 1 tuning instruction sheet, Note that the tuning tool stores in the side of the harp. Place the harp's L-shaped tuning key on the tuning lug corresponding with the longest string on the harp. Prices for tuners range from under $25 to well over $100. A pentatonic scale is a five-note, or “gapped” scale, e.g. All of the old Greek modes can be played on a harp with no levers, tuned to the scale of C major (no flats or sharps). 4. This harp is an ideal instrument for those wanting . if they learn by ear. The color of the wood may be a little different than the photo. Brand New. Built in stand and microphone. Turning the tuning lug to the left raises the pitch of the string, and turning the lug to the right lowers the pitch. Frequently people who play mainly in the keys of C, G and D (and their relative minors) will tune their harp to C major, and only add levers on the F’s and C’s. The lap harp comes with its original box. Things You Will Need. Now for your right hand and the tuning key. cross-strung harps) are tuned chromatically. I start at the bottom and move up by placing 3 fingers on the lowest 3 strings with the 3rd finger of my left hand. C $132.09 to C $134.82. Only 3 left in stock. It clips onto the instrument and plugs into the tuner. Most harps are tuned diatonically (like the white keys on a piano), however some multi-course harps (e.g. I also might tune that string by ear to the same note in the octave below. Tuning range is A0-C8. A pentatonic tuning is probably the most restrictive in terms of limiting the different kinds of tunes you can play, but may be appropriate if you are exclusively playing one kind of music on that particular instrument. 3. If only red lights to the left or right are on, then you know you can turn the tuning peg a bit sharper or flatter to get you closer. More colours. US $75.21 - 81.25. Most tuners will indicate which note the harp string is sounding. Please take a good look at the pictures for details. I'm tuning a Music Maker zither to the suggested key of G major. CGI Celtic Irish Lever Harp 19 Strings Solid Wood Free Bag Strings Key CDN$422.16. This will prevent the tuner from stripping out. if you want to play in Dorian mode, you can start on any note as long as you follow the pattern – so you can play in D Dorian, or G Dorian). $38. See pictures. You will also run across a wider variety of keys if you choose to play Classical or Jazz, or even some Pop/Rock and New Age. The first step in beginning your tuning adventure is to get an electronic tuner that is going to work for you. It can even depend on things such as, how much improvising and/or transposing you want to do, and how much you rely on written music (i.e. For instance, on a cross-strung harp, usually one row of strings is tuned to a diatonic scale, while the other row provides the sharps and/or flats. View details & Buy. 19 Strings Harp Nylon String Tuning key Harp Bag Color: Natural Elegantly Crafted Instrument Made From Rosewood Combines Quality, Craft, and Play-ability Chromatic Tuning Levers Treble and Bass Sound Holes For Sound Clarity The 19 String Harp by Scottish pro is an elegantly crafted instrument made from selected Rosewoods, which combines high-quality solid wood and craftsmanship to create … Fit the tuning key onto the string's tuning peg.