If you're a music enthusiast, you probably know that each note in the scale is represented by a letter: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. But have you ever wondered how these notes are arranged on a harp?
Let’s begin with the strings themselves. Each harp string varies in thickness, length, and material — all of which influence the sound it produces. Harp strings also come in different colours, which helps players quickly identify certain notes. For example, on Bow Brand and GutGold strings, you'll notice three colours: red, black-blue, and milk-white. The red strings represent C, the black-blue strings mark F, and the rest — the milk-white ones — indicate the other notes. Thanks to this clever color system, it's easy to spot your Cs and Fs on the harp.
So how do you find the other notes? First, make sure you're seated properly with the harp in front of you. Once you locate a red string (C), simply move towards yourself along the strings to find the notes in sequence: D, E, F, G, A, B, and then back to C — repeating this pattern across octaves.
Now here’s something unique: on the harp, the octaves are counted from E to F, unlike on the piano where they usually start from C. Lever harps usually have around five octaves, while pedal harps offer a broader range with seven octaves.
The easiest reference point is Middle C, which belongs to the fourth octave. Once you've found it, you can count backwards to E and forwards to F to understand where the fourth octave begins and ends. This knowledge is especially useful when tuning or replacing strings.
Speaking of strings — when purchasing new ones, it’s important to know exactly which note and octave you need. Using the wrong string can not only produce an odd sound but may also affect the structure and tension of your harp. If you're ever unsure, don't worry — feel free to reach out for help. It's always better to ask than to risk damaging your instrument.