| The Clarsach A wire strung Harp In the style of the Irish & Scottish Bards. |
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History of Clarsachs For centuries the harp has been the national emblem of Ireland. Evidence of its early use by the Gaelic peoples is left to us on the carvings of the 8th and 9th century Pictish stones. These harps, as well as those throughout Europe for the next several centuries, appear to have been non-standard, and it was not until the 12th (literary evidence) or the 13th century (surviving instrument) that the Gaelic harp or Clarsach was strung with wire and obtained its characteristic and robust form with a sound box carved from a solid piece of wood. These aspects, and the original manner of playing, left hand playing treble, right hand playing bass, make the Gaelic harp unique. The enchanting bell-like tones it produced when plucked by the carefully shaped nails of the harpers were much admired throughout Europe and, unlike other European harps, it was to remain essentially the same in concept and technique until the beginning of the 19th century. These harps were not fitted with hooks, blades or sharping levers.... these devices originated in the late 17th century. Most historical harps with a single row of strings were tuned diatonically although some octaves may have been tuned to include sharps and flats if and when required. |
| CLARSACH 26 wire strung harp by Denwar Harps. |
| Height.................................86cm/34" Height (in cradle)................94cm/37" Weight................................3.5kg/8lbs Range..................C below mid C to G. |
| This harp is strung with........ 5 bass wrapped strings. Bronzed stainless wires. 1st and 4th strings in middle octave are bright (silver) wire ...... The sound produced is a clear and bell like.......Hit the button below to hear this harp...... This harp can also be strung with nylon. |
| Made in either Australian Red cedar or Silky Oak........ Wider string spacing than most wire strung harps...... |
| to hear a short soundfile of the Clarsach 26. (MP3 281kb) |
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| The Clarsach can also be built with a regular freestanding 5 staved soundbox........and..... Nylon strings. |
| to hear nylon strung Clarsach. (Mp3 317kb) |
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| Updated 28th Feb 08 |