Dude... The Harp.

[Habanc]

So, on Saturday I was walking through this small park, just on my way to pick up a few things from a nearby corner shop (We were baking a cake at the house), and out of nowhere there was this boy, perhaps 14 years at most, sitting under a small pavilion playing a harp. Keep in mind hardly anyone goes in this park, so I assume he was just enjoying the day and practicing outside.

Anyways, so I listened to him for a bit as I walked on and found it really pleasant. Eventually I went over to the shop and bought what I needed and proceeded to go the same way home. The kid was still there, and I guess he must have moved on to a new piece or something, but it sounded fantastic and I couldn't help but stop for a bit and listen. After a minute or so, the boy just gave me this weird look, and I realized that I had been standing there watching him for a few moments, probably pretty creepily too but I'm not sure.

I ended up just smiling awkwardly and leaving, but ever since then I can't really get it out of my head. Supposedly the harp is a difficult instrument to play, as there's both a bass and treble clef (like a piano), the actual plucking of the strings is much more precise (than, say, playing notes on a piano), and I believe most are diatonic (7 notes per octave); for instance, playing other notes such as sharps or flats, if previously on a C scale, you'd need to tune it on the fly.

Most times when I'm listening to music, it's been progressive house or something around there. Now, I've been listening to some of that also, but mainly various pieces with harps in it, whether it be solo or within an orchestra. Maybe I'm addicted?

I just find it a really underestimated instrument. Thoughts?

[wu long cha]

the harp is such a ridiculously beautiful instrument! when i was little i always wanted to take harp lessons, but alas, harp lessons (and harps) were expensive. :[

but i'd have to agree with you, the harp is extremely underestimated.

[Facade]

very under rated i agree! it sounds really beautiful and must take a lot of practice

[Mundius]

If I had money and I were you, I'd just give that guy $20 for being fucking awesome.

[Facade]

^ that

[Mundius]

Actually, I did give $10 once to a homeless guy and gal. They were doing a duet in the street while the guy was playing a detuned guitar like a boss (honestly, most wouldn't even tell it was detuned, he was that good)

[CommandSpry]

I like the harp, but nothing beats Erhu, especially in the underrated insturment category ^^

[Lavender_Harmony]

I like the harp, but nothing beats Erhu, especially in the underrated insturment category ^^

That and the Dulcimer.

[Indigo Spectrum]

I like the harp, but nothing beats Erhu, especially in the underrated insturment category ^^

That and the Dulcimer.

Are you kidding me? Nothing beats the zither.

[Ed Viper]

I like the harp, but nothing beats Erhu, especially in the underrated insturment category ^^

That and the Dulcimer.

Are you kidding me? Nothing beats the zither.

The theremin all day

But yeah, the harp is an amazingly beautiful and underrated instrument.

[wu long cha]

That and the Dulcimer.

Are you kidding me? Nothing beats the zither.

The theremin all day

But yeah, the harp is an amazingly beautiful and underrated instrument.

the lute's also a pretty bamf underrated instrument if you ask me.

[Facade]

I like the harp, but nothing beats Erhu, especially in the underrated insturment category ^^

That and the Dulcimer.

omg ive played a dulcimer they are soooo troll xD

[Trillionage]

Isn't a dulcimer essentially a really small piano without all the keys and wood?

[Facade]

Isn't a dulcimer essentially a really small piano without all the keys and wood?

nah its kinda like a guitar you put on your lap but its locked to a certain scale unless you change the tuning

[Whitetail]

Someone talking about under-known instruments?


Also dulcimers come in a lot of varieties

Hammered (Piano without the keys kinda ish almost)


Regular (guitari-ish kinda almost)

[Facade]

Regular (guitari-ish kinda almost)

thats the kind i was speaking of xD

[Lavender_Harmony]

I've played a hang drum

[Trillionage]

Living in New York City i have seen: A capella groups, congas, timbales, erhus, Jazz ensembles, breakdance groups (that dance both inside and outside the train), Peruvian pan pipe groups, ghetto drummers, xylophones, a humpbacked violinist, an electric violinist...and the naked cowboy (He ain't actually naked. He's just wearing a banana hammock). The naked cowgirl was slightly disturbing.

[CommandSpry]

Erhu, Guzheng and Harpsichord = Beast

[Facade]

Erhu

you win an internet *brohoof*