Hi again,

The address for joining the harplist is here.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harplist/join

One of the main reasons I am so happy with the Markwood harp plans (they also sell kits) is that I read some articles written by Mark Bolles, the designer of the kits, in the folk Harp Journal about 12 or so years ago. He made a very strong argument for saying that the harp should be designed around the harmonic curve, ie the ideal length of each string required to create the right pitch for a full musical scale of octaves. The other key aspect is the composition and gauge of the strings, which makes a difference because the change in those factors will reduce the length required to get the harmonic curve.

To "see" a harmonic curve imagine laying each string parallel, side by side at equal distances, and all starting along the same line. The other end of the strings would form a curve if you connnected the dots. Without changes in gauge and composition you would have to have extremely long strings for the bass strings. The change in these factors allows for shorter strings to be used.

All of the above is in layman's terms, not very technically written or understood by me, but what I liked about Mark Bolles's designs is that the harp is not drawn up, made and then fitted with strings which fit the shape of the harp, but the other way around. The string lengths determine the shape of the harp, and therefore probablity is increased that the sound quality and performance quality of the harp are going to be good, other factors considered.

Some harpmakers I have heard of - the backyard variety who are after a quick buck, but not the reputable makers - look at a harp and say, that looks pretty easy, I'll draw it up and make it. The results are haphazard. They may fluke it (fluke = Ozspeak for hit on a good solution by sheer chance) but it's more likely that the result will be mediocre at best.

The point I'm trying to make is that there are harp kits and there are harp kits. Find one that is well designed with thorough knowledge of instrument making and theory.

Be especially aware that a harp is a very seductive being, like a mythical Siren. Even the worst of them can sound beautiful to the ear to someone who has not heard any better ones. Don't jump at the first one you see: wine it and dine it first, do a bit of carefully planned courtship, and get to know him/her/it first before you jump into bed with it, with stars in your eyes...and ears.

Harpily yours, Helen