Instrument Exploration: Harp

INTRODUCE the harp

Today we’re going to learn about an instrument that is sometimes used in movies or TV shows as a sound effect for angels, dreams, or clouds. Does anyone have a guess which instrument we might be talking about? (For younger kids, simply say, “It’s a harp!”)

EXPLORE the sound of the harp

1. Show students a video with an overview of the harp. For older students, we suggest this video by Minnesota Orchestra’s harp player, Kathy Kienzle. For younger students, this video featuring Mallory from e(L)ement gives a more simple explanation of the harp.

2. This piece, Fire Dance, uses many harp techniques. While listening, encourage students to use scarves or their hands as paintbrushes to create movement to match the music. Students might bounce the scarf/imaginary paint brush on repeated notes or trace the melodic direction of the glissandos. Actively participate to guide and model movement.

3. For younger students, ask them to whisper three things they learned about harp to a friend. Ask older students to answer the following questions.

   • How many strings does the pedal harp have? (47)

   • What is it called when you pull all the strings from top to bottom or bottom to top? (Glissando)

EXTEND listening to the harp

Come up with a hand signal for students to show every time they hear a glissando in any of these pieces:

• Atomic Peace, Alice Coltrane

• Sprout and the Bean, Joanna Newsome

• Danse Sacrée, Anneleen Lenaerts