FAQ - The Answers

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Celtic Harp

What is a Celtic harp?

A Celtic harp refers to a harp that originates from the land of the Celts: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. Celtic harps are thought to have originated in the Mesopotamia area, today Iraq and Iran. While the harps of the Middle East are documented through archeological finds to date back as far as 4,000 b.c., the Celtic harp was probably born around 500 b.c. by travelers coming from the Middle East, perharps Norsemen or even Spaniards.

There are several different kinds of harps in use today, though the biggest difference is between the classical harp, used in symphony orchestras, and folk harps of all kinds including the Celtic harp. The classical harp was designed to help the folk harp player play classical music in an orchestra setting, which requires a fully chromatic harp. Seven foot pedals enable the player to raise and lower the pitch of each string a half step, with each pedal attached to every octave of the same note. These harps are larger and heavier in weight than their predecessors, and look like this:

The Celtic harp and other folk harps such as the South American, Chinese, and African harps are either diatonic or use various methods to change the pitch of each note. While originally gut or wire strung, Celtic harps today use nylon strings (and bass wires for the bottom octave on the larger size harps), nylon with gut and brass wires, all wires, or all gut. The pillar is usually curved, and physical size ranges from 1 1/2 feet to 5 feet in height, from 22 to 40 strings in range. Some Celtic harps have one row of strings, some have two or three rows (particularly true of harps from Wales), and some have two rows of strings that cross each other in the middle of the string length. The multiple rows of strings are tuned differently to access the chromatic notes not found in the single row of diatonically tuned strings. Celtic harps have many different designs, some of which are included below for your viewing pleasure:

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By the way, Celtic harp is pronounced "keltic" with a hard "C." Unrelated to the Boston Celtics ("seltics").

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Why don't we see more of these Celtic harps in symphonies or elsewhere?

You won't see these kind of harps in symphony orchestras because most classical music requires the full chromaticism of a classical pedal harp. However, the Celtic harp is enjoying quite a renaissance in the United States; there are at least a couple of thousand Celtic harpers out there! This is not very many when compared with pianists and other musicians, but we are growing in leaps and bounds, and the Celtic harp is being used for not only Celtic music, but jazz, pop, blues, ethnic, sacred, original, and classical (to a limited degree). For a listing of Celtic harpers in your area, please consult the links page.

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Why do Celtic harpers prefer the Celtic harp over the more popular classical pedal harp?

Most Celtic harpers that I know love the portability of the Celtic harp, the light weight (usually 5 to 30 pounds compared with 80 to 100 pounds for a pedal harp) and the small size (2 to 5 feet in height). I personally adore the sound of the Celtic harp as well. Many harpers comment that the Celtic harp looks more approachable, not as formal. More fun! Try it, you'll like it!

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Do professional Celtic harpers train at music schools like professional classical harpists?

Some do and some don't. The Celtic harp world is more grass roots oriented and less formalized than the classical world. I know many Celtic harpers like myself who are self-taught, but many of them had formal classical training on other instruments. Others choose to train initially with a private pedal harp teacher and then branch out on their own into the Celtic world. Regardless of their training, the end result is what counts. If you are interested in a Celtic harper to hire for a gig or to purchase their recordings, just listen to the music. If you like it, buy it!

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Where can I find a Celtic harp to buy? Do I need to travel to Ireland or Scotland?

No! You can buy them from me. You can also buy them from many Celtic harp builders in this country as well as around the world. Consult the harp builders listing on the Harp Page for other builders I don't represent. There are many wonderful Celtic harp builders in the U.S., and the time to purchase them is as soon as you can afford one! The prices are going up exponentially each year and have been for the last five years due to a huge increase in demand. You can always travel to the Celtic lands for your harp if you feel they are more authentic that way, though you need to consider the extra cost of customs in the harp price, and you may have trouble with returning one if a warranty repair situation ever comes up. Just things to think about...

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How much do Celtic harps cost?

Generally, Celtic harps range in price from $700.00 (U.S.) for lap harp models (26 strings or less) to $6,000.00 for full size, floor standing models (36 to 40 strings). Sharping levers can add $200 to $500 to the price, and a padded carrying case can add $100 to $400 to the price. There are many optional additional features that can also figure into your final price, such as type of wood, stave back versus square back design for the sounding box, types of strings, construction of the sounding box, and custom styling. For further information about buying your first Celtic harp, refer to my Celtic Harp Buyer's Guidelines.

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Is the Celtic harp difficult to learn?

No! It just takes regular practice, like any instrument.

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Where can I find a Celtic harp teacher?

There is a directory of members of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftpersons, and the directory tags those members that are teachers or professionals and also gives geographical listings to help you find a professional in your area. If you are not a member of the ISFHC, become one!

You can also begin with a pedal harp teacher (listings of teachers of the pedal harp are found in the directory of the American Harp Society), for the technique is very similar. However, if you decide that you want to stay with the Celtic harp, you may eventually want to study with a Celtic harp professional who can show you Celtic technique, styling, and improvisational techniques.

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