Harp

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Foot Pedals

Unlike the piano, the harp does not have one string (or set of strings) per note. Therefore, it has far fewer strings than the piano. To compensate for this, each harp string has to be specifically tuned during a performance to create flat, natural or sharp notes. But this is easily accomplished with foot pedals.

The Seven Foot Pedals

The harp has seven foot pedals, each one named for the seven notes of the C Major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A and B). The seven foot pedals are arranged so that the left foot controls three pedals and the right foot controls four pedals:

Starting with the furthest pedal to the left, the left foot controls the D, C and B pedals. Starting with the furthest pedal to the right, and moving inward, the right foot controls the A, G, F and E pedals.

Foot Pedal Positions

Each of these seven pedals has three different positions that can be put in place by using the foot. These three positions are flat, natural and sharp. Therefore, the harp can play in any key, simply by adjusting the positions of the foot pedals to change the pitch of the relevant string set.

For example, if the harp is required to play in the key of A major, the harpist will position the seven foot pedals to be C#, D natural, E natural, F#, G#, A natural and B natural (the seven notes of an A Major scale). Each foot pedal controls all the strings of the same name. In other words, when the C pedal is in the sharp position, every C string on the harp sounds C#. As the music changes key, the harpist has to re-position the foot pedals.

Experienced harpists can quickly make foot pedal changes. However, if the music requires very rapid key changes, or if the music is very chromatic, you might require two harps to perform the part. Most symphony orchestras now employ two harpists for just those occasions. Yet it is still the responsibility of the composer to be aware of all pedal changes to make sure that the harpist can accommodate them. If there are too many pedal changes in too short a time, a second harp (and harpist) might be called for.