Have you ever listened to a movie soundtrack and heard a grand glissando on a cli- mactic part? Have you ever
gone to an orchestra and noticed the big
golden harp sitting on the stage? Have
you ever fallen asleep to the music of a
lullaby;harp;CD?;If;so,;you;have;exper-ienced a part of the harp’s evolution towards becoming a modern instrument.
Contrary to popular belief, the harp
wasn’t always in the orchestra pit, in
movie;soundtracks,;or;on;lullaby;harp
CDs.;In;fact,;the;modernization;of;the
harp has been a long and rocky road. The
history of the harp is as rich and interesting as the sound of its strings. The harp
is the oldest known stringed instrument;
it is considered a heavenly instrument
that has been recognized in every culture as an aristocratic joyous instrument.
The shape of the harp is said to originate
from a hunter’s bow; hence the earliest
form of harp is called a bow harp. While
the origins of the harp may never be pin-pointed,;historians;have;found;evidence
of harps in Mesopotamia as far back as
2700-2600;B.C.;This;plaque,;which;was
also;part;of;a;door-locking;system,;de-picts a banquet with musicians including
a harper (see if you can find the harp!).
1
As much as the Mesopotamians adored
the;harp,;it;appears;the;Israelites;enjoyed
and treasured it even more. Throughout
the;Bible,;the;harp;is;mentioned;30;times
and was very important for both the
76;September-October;2014;•;Music!;
www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com
Music! The Harp
in All Its Glory by Emily Mader
The history of the harp is as
rich and interesting as the
sound of its strings.
