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  • From: Clansgian AT wmconnect.com
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Transitioning
  • Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2005 10:52:39 EDT

Ray,

> Does it sound as good as it looks?

I meant to answer this. What can I say?

Very little have I found more fascinating than the physics of musical
strings. You'd think it was a simple matter, thicker strings are lower pitch
-
thinner strings are higher pitch, tense strings are higher pitch - lax
strings are
lower pitch. You'd think it was simple .. but ..noooooo. In order for
each
string to feel about the same when playing the instrument, they have to be
within a certain range of percent of their total tension. Also in order to
deflect each string the same distance (so that you don't pluck the high
string 1/8
and inch but have to pluck the base string 2" to get the same sound), the
tension/length ratio has to be within a fairly narrow range of 1 to 1 up to
2.5
to one. Notice that the harp has a curved soundboard. Most harps have a
straight soundboard because it is easier to build. But with a straight
soundboard
the curve of the neck (that holds the tuning pins) becomes too sharp a curve
at the proper string lenghts. Most makers compensate by using two or three
or
even four different materials for stings which results in a sound I don't
care
for. After doodling with it for years, and noticing that soundboard of the
harp on the bottle of guiness wasn't flat, I suspected the solution. Since
it
was the last beer in the box, I thought I'd better research a little farther
and found a photo and scale drawing of the Trinity College harp upon which
the
guiness drawing is based. It has a curved, carved actually, soundboard.
Those 14th century harp makers knew a thing or two. So I drew what I
determined
to be the ideal band of strings and then drew the harp around it (rather than
the other way around, which is the more usual). My woodwork is really just
support hanging around the strings.

I don't have a sound file, no digital equipment on which to record it.
You're invited any time to stop by for a Ceilidh and have a Guiness and
listen to
the harp. Or play it.

James




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