The Harp Click here to listen to the harp (RealAudio file) The harp is not a common member of the symphony orchestra, as it is played mainly as a solo instrument. The solo capabilities and effects created by the harp are rarely heard within an orchestra. When an orchestral work does include a harp, the stave on the score is written under the percussion. A treble and bass clef are used due to the wide range of 6 ½ octaves - the treble played by the right hand and the bass by the left hand. The harp, for a long time, has been popular worldwide as a folk instrument and exists in many designs. Previous instrument - Miscellaneous Percussion Back to the Orchestra construction of the harp Shape and components: The harp is a very complicated instrument and is seen in numerous forms and designs. One common feature is the presence of a sound box and a series of strings stretched between it and a 'neck'. Harps are constructed in three basic shapes: arched harps, with the sound box and neck forming a curve; angular harps, where the sound box and neck form at least a right angle; and frame harps, where a third piece is added opposite the angle created by the neck and sound box to form a triangle. The modern orchestral harp of today is constructed using the frame method. Strings and sound production: The strings, totaling 47 in all, are made of gut or nylon, some wound wire and some copper. The longer strings produce the lower notes. The strings are connected to seven pedals at the base and are individually tuned to the scale of C flat. When the pedal is raised a notch, the string shortens and raises a semitone, thus canceling the flats. Raising the pedal by another notch will sharpen the pitch. This feature allows all 12 notes of the chromatic scale to be played with only 7 strings and has given the harp its description as a double-action instrument.