BBC Home
Guide To The Orchestra
harp title image The harp has existed for hundreds of years and was played in Ancient Egypt and in Roman times. It has a big, triangle shaped wooden frame, which about 45 strings stretch across, from top to bottom. These are all different lengths and thicknesses, so they play different notes. They are plucked by the harpist, so that they make a sound.
harp Listen to the harp listen to Instrument Range Listen to it played from its lowest to highest note. listen to Special Effects glissandi / near the board / harmonics listen to Hear it in action in Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
listen to
Clifford Lantaff Meet the Orchestra! Clifford Lantaff plays the harp for the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester. Read about him below. Clifford Lantaff, Harp How old were you when you first started playing? I was eight years old when I first started playing. Why did you choose that instrument specially? It was the only instrument taught at my school apart from the recorder. Do you play any other instruments? Yes – the piano (not very well) and the violin (first position only). What do you like most about playing in an orchestra? Is it fun? Playing in concerts when the adrenalin is going and everyone is doing their best. A great feeling of doing something special together. Do you play any other kinds of music? Yes – folk music. What’s your favourite music? Janacek String Quartets. Do you have any hobbies? What are they? Yes – cycling and mathematics. I’m studying for a degree in Maths in my spare time at the moment. What would you have done if you hadn’t been a musician? Possibly a teacher – but not in Music. Perhaps Maths!? All pictures are copyrighted - picture credits Woodwind Brass Flute Trumpet Oboe French Horn Clarinet Trombone Bassoon Tuba Strings Percussion Violin Tuned Viola Untuned Cello Timpani Double Bass Harp Keyboards Conductor LEARN AN INSTRUMENT Which instrument, which age, finding teachers, buying guide and the perils of practice Get help Get help Listening About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy Explore the BBC
Woodwind
Brass
Strings
Percussion
Keyboards
Conductor
Get help Get help Listening
Change Text Only Settings
Graphic version of this page