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Advice Needed – Harp Tuning & Levers
I just started using levers on the most recent song I’m learning (Early Intermediate version of Annie’s Song). I’m new to the harp, and playing music, and this is the first song I’ve learned that uses them.
I tuned before I engaged the levers, but the C&F strings were a little out of tune after I flipped them … so I tuned while the levers were engaged. I don’t know if that’s a big mistake or not. Now, when I flip the levers down, the whole harp sounds flat.
I tuned it again with the levers down. I used an electric tuner, I checked it again on a backup tuner, I used an app to make sure I was in the right octaves … everything says I’m perfectly in tune, but it doesn’t sound right at all. I’m assuming the C&F strings are the culprits because of the timing of this issue, but it’s hard for me to tell. I can tell best when I’m playing a song, which uses various strings. But it just doesn’t sound right. I’m at a loss. Did I ruin the strings by tuning with the levers engaged?
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5 Replies
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You didn’t ruin anything, but it sounds like your harp needs to be regulated! This is done by adjusting the levers (some have special screws for regulating, others have to be loosened and moved a bit) so that the difference between the down and the up position is exactly one semitone.
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Will having the harp regulated (or it not being regulated) impact the sound even when the levers aren’t engaged? Because, when I flipped the levers up, most of the strings landed right on the sharp. Some just needed minor tuning tweeks. But the issue is using the harp with the levers down (not engaged) now. Even though the tuner says it’s in tune, it sounds flat. Does that sound like a regulation problem? Thank you for your help! 🙂
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Hey Margaret, sorry to hear you’ve run into this issue! I agree with Katharina, it does sound like the harp just needs to be regulated. In general I avoid tuning my harp with the levers engaged to not put any unnecessary strain on the strings, but it won’t damage your harp if you do 🙂 Doing so overtime might just weaken the strings quicker, causing you to have to replace them more frequently. I would recommend calling the Virginia Harp Center (https://www.vaharpcenter.com/contact) and ask them the same question you posted just to make sure. They are extremely knowledgeable and at the very least can put you in contact with a harp regulator. Best of luck, and let us know what you find out! 😊 ♥️
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Maybe this will help. Here are a couple videos about tuning your harp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xQ5qavP8Y0
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