The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #38436   Message #540280
Posted By: Lin in Kansas
02-Sep-01 - 02:03 PM
Thread Name: A Kindness: Picture of an Aeolian Harp??
Subject: RE: A Kindness: Picture of an Aeolian Harp??
Peter, don't know what you need for your presentation, but here are some fairly simple instructions for building a 4-string wind harp:

"To make an AEolian Harp.

Of very thin cedar, pine, or other soft wood make a box 5 or 6 inches deep, 7 or 8 inches wide, and of a length just equal to the width of the window in which it is to be placed. Across the top, near each end, glue a strip of wood half an inch high and a quarter of an inch thick, for bridges. Into the ends of the box insert wooden pins, like those of a violin, to wind the strings around, two pins in each end. Make a sound-hole in the middle of the top, and string the box with small cat gut, or blue first-fiddle strings. Fastening one end of each string to a metallic pin in one end of the box, and, carrying it over the bridges, wind it around the turning-pin in the opposite end of the box. The ends of the box should be increased in thickness where the wooden pins enter, by a piece of wood glued upon the inside. Tune the strings in unison and place the box in the window. It is better to have four strings, as described, but a harp with a single string produces an exceedingly sweet melody of notes, which vary with the force of the wind."

From this site which has lots of fascinating info.

Lin