What are Lever Harps?Lever harps are named because of the lever mechanism at the top of each string on the neck of the harp. This allows the harpists to create two notes out of each string. For musicians reading this, levers are how a harpist creates accidentals. For non musicians all music is written in different keys/moods. These moods are created by altering the pitch of all the strings, in order to create different groups of pitches, known as a key signature. Every piece of music is written in a key signature as it allows the performer to know which notes to play. Each note/pitch can be tightened (sharpened) or loosened (flattened) to create three slightly different notes out of one pitch, a flat note, a natural note and a sharp note eg. Ab A and A#.
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Therefore a lever harp has the ability to tighten or loosen each note. This means there are limitations to the amount of keys this harp can be used in as a harp can either be sharp and natural or flat and natural. It does not have the ability to offer all three. If a note needs to be altered mid way through a piece the harpist must learn to change the levers without disturbing the flow of the music. These harps are generally used as beginner harps, however many professionals use this type of harp for folk and pop music. It is possible to achieve up to grade 8 on this harp however music becomes slightly restricted from grade 5 and orchestral playing is not possible.
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