How to Care for a Harp

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:CareHarp
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How to Care for a Harp

Introduction

If you keep your harp in premium shape, it can easily last through your lifetime and become a family heirloom to be celebrated and enjoyed by generations of descendants.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Keep your harp in a safe location - away from high foot traffic that might knock it over.
2

Step Two

Avoid placing the harp near other breakable objects such as windows and pieces of china.
3

Step Three

Keep the harp in an area that will not experience extreme or abrupt changes in temperature.
4

Step Four

Allow the harp to cool down or warm up slowly when moving it from place to place.
5

Step Five

Keep the harp out of sunlight, which not only fades the wood but also loosens the glue holding the wood and its veneers together.
6

Step Six

Keep a quilted harp cover on the instrument when it's not in use for protection from dust and bumps.
7

Step Seven

Use wood polish made for musical instruments to clean your harp on a regular basis. This will protect it from dust and other harmful environmental agents.
8

Step Eight

Tune the strings prior to practice and performances.
9

Step Nine

Check the strings regularly for signs of wear and fraying. Purchase new strings as needed and practice with them until they begin to stay in tune for more than a few minutes.
10

Step Ten

Avoid high humidity and other extreme conditions that will diminish the quality and longevity of the strings.
11

Step Eleven

Replace the strings one at a time, not all at once or in large groups.
12

Step Twelve

Slightly loosen the strings if you are going to be transporting your harp or not playing it for an extended period.
13

Step Thirteen

Find an experienced harp technician in your area or one who will travel to your area. Keep the technician's name and number available and call him or her for all but minor repairs.

Tips & Warnings

  • Designate a drawer in a table near your harp where you can keep all the maintenance items you need: tuner key, tuner and polish, as well as music. Having everything in one place makes caring for a harp simpler, and you are more likely to keep up the routine.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Tuning Pick-ups
  • Celtic Harps
  • Harp Covers
  • Electronic Tuner
  • soft, clean rags
  • Tuning Keys
  • End Tables
  • Harp Strings
  • Harps
  • Wood Polishes
  • Harp Benches
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