Daily Harp Moments-What Makes a Paraguayan Harp

Daily postings of harp tunes

[@barbiedee11]

Thanks so much for the information on Paraguayan harp. Makes me one to try a harp of this style. Great explanations and very nice playing!

[@HowDareThey1970]

From what is said here, the Paraguayan harp sounds far superior to other harps. The inventiveness that went into designing these is impressive and the skilled craftsmanship profound.

[@lordidino5638]

Thank you John for such a clear explanation for the PARAGUAYAN HARP. . I love the sound of the Paraguayan Harp but now I know why I love playing it. I too have a light touch and found out I don't have to strain for sound on a Paraguayan Harp as other lap harps that I played. I now know why thanks to you. Keep making beautiful sounds. Lorraine from Newport News VA

[@Bioshockgamer334]

im from paraguay!!! yay!!!! SOY MUY FELIZ!!!(i am very happy!)

[@Wishbringer7]

Thoroughly enjoyed this John. Thanks for the info. Not too technical... but encourages further research. Lovely sound on that. : )

[@smacurface]

Most enjoyable 7.34 min of my time. Thank you for taking the time to make this video and to educate..... Pat on the back for you Sir.

[@kielijakantele]

Great explanations for those of us who know very little of the Paraguayan harp! Thanks for posting this video.

[@swellbow55]

Great explanaton! Super informative. Thanks!

[@arlenedelahenty6556]

Thankyou so much for this info. I am babysitting a paraguayan harp at the moment and discovered all that you , as opposed to my dusyt strings ravenna harp. Wish I had seen your vid before I bought the ravenna.

[@cowgirlmoon]

Lovely!

[@jgkovac]

the guitar sound i believe is due to my style of playing, as i used to play classical guitar before playing harp. i think it is as loud, or louder than a 'conventional' harp. do disadvantages that i can think of. thanks for watching

[@lizfeliciano5370]

Hi John, nice video. I just watched a History of the Harp documentary on KZbin with Catrin Finch. She does talk about Latin American harps and techniques and confirms that the original concept was to play it like a Spanish guitar, which was the standard instrument in Spain. This is the reason why many Spanish and Latin American harpists will have the fingernails on the right hand grown out just like guitarists. And it will sound brighter and louder in the treble when playing with this technique. Your style is a perfect transition from guitar to harp!

[@jgkovac]

tynex ( a type of nylon. ) bass strings are wrapped in a thinner gauge nylon

[@WilliamFriedson]

Dear John, Thank you for wonderful info about what puts the paraguayan into a harp! I am searching for a paraguayan harp. A generous friend has offered to bring me one back on a trip he may make to paraguay, but i'm not sure how that will all work out, and wonder if there is a good source in the U.S. did you make the one you are playing? any info would be great! thank you, patricia.

[@AndresFrisch]

Awesome

[@unequally-tempered]

Fascinating explanation - thank you so much for this. Very interesting to see how structurally superior the Paraguayan harp is.

[@jgkovac]

extremely simple since it is just like the white keys of the piano, but easier because the strings are color coded

[@jgkovac]

I do make them, altho to be honest, you can probably get a nice one if Paraguay for a whole lot less money- your friend will probably be able to find 50 or so harp makers in the Asuncion are- Check out the maker Adelio Ovilar ( recently deceased, but i assume his shop still in existence- he used to make good harps

[@jgkovac]

Thank YOU!!

[@jgkovac]

hi Joe, just got back from Guatemala. thanks for input

[@777LMA]

I have a question - are there different types of Paraguayan harps?

[@HowDareThey1970]

I like the centrally hung strings to balance the tension. Do cross-strung or double strung harps have similar balance? I take it it would not be possible to cross-string or double-string a paraguayan harp due to the central positioning of the strings... (?)

[@jgkovac]

Pajaro Choqui ( choqui bird, translation)

[@jgkovac]

@Curly4135 if you have the will to do it,you can do it. literally more than 1000 folks have made a harp from the book, some with now woodworking experience. thanks- the Paraguayan harp is a true marvel

[@jgkovac]

thanks, it is a marvel in many ways

[@jgkovac]

thanks , barbie John

[@jgkovac]

correct, the bass string are nylon wrapped with nylon

[@jgkovac]

@Curly4135 j - you may click on the url in any of my youtube videos

[@jgkovac]

to may knowledge, they do not have similar balance,but i am no expert in their design. I made a cross strung Paraguayan harp and was not successful because the close string spacing caused the strings to buzz against each other.

[@Buffalo49]

Thanks, John. What was the name of the tune you took us out with?

[@jgkovac]

thanks so much

[@gutsandgrittv5076]

Hi! Is there a lesson book or online certification you could recommend from beginner to advanced? Thank you 😊

[@jgkovac]

The Paraguayans have an expression, which is, “it is a badge of honor, not to read music.” The best advice I could give would be to practice right and left hand chord and scale exercises simultaneously. I have a few dvd lessons which will keep u busy for a long time. Visit: John kovac.com or contact me personally 540 635-2534 for online lessons. Thanks, I truly love the harp.

[@gutsandgrittv5076]

@@jgkovac Thank you john I will be purchasing your products this week!

[@jgkovac]

Thanks

[@jgkovac]

@Bioshockgamer334 gracias, muy amable.

[@jgkovac]

thanks, it really is a marvel

[@jgkovac]

thanks

[@dmo530]

I know absolutely nothing about harps at all but they sound like nylon strings.

[@jgkovac]

You're welcome

[@RicTheGrt]

Why are the C strings blue and the F strings red on a Paraguayan harp? This is the opposite of other harps.

[@jecyoj]

Hi John, trying to post a comment but I'm getting an error...

[@jgkovac]

they just never coordinated

[@Sinedeathmeth]

just play man..