Introduction to Tuning, Harp Care, Maintenance, and Repair #2

Intended for students who are new to the harp, this how to video explains how to tune a lever harp. Each step is thoroughly explained and detailed demonstrations are included throughout. The only prior knowledge that is needed is an understanding of the order of the strings. The harp is tuned in the key of C Major.
00:00 Introduction, basic ideas behind tuning any instrument
1:06 Function of tuning pins and use of tuning key
3:01 Measuring sound and how electronic tuners work
5:20 Demonstration of tuning
11:40 Using a tuning app
13:52 Conclusion
Other Tuning Videos:
Tuning a Lever Harp in Eb: • Tuning a Lever Harp in...
Tuning a Pedal Harp: • Tuning a Pedal Harp, H...
Tuning Tips: • Tuning Tips, Harp Care...
Jacqueline Pollauf is a professional harpist based in Baltimore, Maryland. She regularly publishes videos in a variety of categories: solo works, instructional videos, harp repair and maintenance, and inspirational videos for young harpists.
Recordings are available through all major music outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.
More information about Jacqueline is available at her website: www.jpharp.com/. Here you can sign up for her mailing list, find out about upcoming performances, and learn about online harp lessons and workshops.
Visit Jacqueline’s informational harp website, www.harpinsideout.com/, for a wealth of informative articles and videos about the harp. Sheet music of Jacqueline’s exercises and arrangements is available for purchase here as well.

[@jsamc]

i can't even keep my guitar tuned a harp magnifies it ten fold

[@stuartreece741]

Hi Jacqueline. I have found your videos enormously helpful. Also your very gentle style of delivery makes this easy to think about and consider your input. Thankyou ever so much. You are quite amazing!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Thank you, Stuart Reece! I'm so pleased to hear that you've found the videos helpful, which is, of course, my goal.

[@sue3639]

Very helpful and thorough. Thank you!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

My pleasure!

[@riffraftmusic8669]

Good workflow tip--string by string, rather than octaves or whatever, as some piano-tuners do. I'm not a harpist, and am new to studying the instrument, but am wondering, rather than changing the length of the string by stretching, could something like guitar frets and some kind of damper/pad be used to change the pitches? Something like that could keep the strings from stretching and going out of tune, while still chromatically altering the string. I imagine, though, it's probably already been tried. Love the videos--merci!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Since I've never built a harp, I don't know much about how alternate ways for changing the pitches. You could experiment and let me know! Glad you liked the video.

[@nicolebugeja8063]

Hi Jacqueline. I'm new to the harp and would like to know if the tuner was set to 440 Hz to all octaves of the harp?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Yes, the tuner was at 440 for everything. Good luck to you with the harp!

[@echevaemp]

Hi! Love the video! I’m a violinist trying to learn the harp and I’m having a hard time tuning the higher strings. They keep breaking. I got my harp used at a thrift store, it could be the strings maybe? But I was wondering if you have any tips for me

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I would be sure to just tune the higher strings by turning your tuning key in as small of amounts as possible. It doesn't take much at all to adjust them. Also, if the harp is really out of tune, and say some of the strings are a fourth to low, or something extreme like that, I would not make such a large change all at once. I would bring them up to pitch over several days, maybe a whole step at a time. If it continues to break strings even with adjusting your approach, then probably you just need to put some new strings on. Good luck!

[@kurtward9656]

What do you do with the levers?? Down during tuning but when would they be up?? I have only just started. Also what is middle D?? If I have 3 octaves would middle D be the D within the second octave?? It has 22 strings.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Each lever raises the pitch by a half step. You put them up when you want to play in different keys. You could try watching this video here for a thorough explanation of the harp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJuWfYWmqNWYbc0 (explanation of the levers at 12:51). On most 22 string lever harps, the 2nd C from the bottom is middle C, so middle would be the string right above that (the 9th string from the bottom). But with so few strings, I would probably just start with the bottom string and tune from there all the way up to the top string. Good luck!

[@kumarraja4089]

Pls give a name of the harp tuning app

[@davealmeida9786]

just curious how many strings does it have? and how much does it weigh? BTW you have a very pleasant voice

[@JacquelinePollauf]

This harp has 33 strings. The newer Troubadour models have 36. It weighs around 35 - 40 pounds. Thanks for watching!

[@dancingheart6224]

I got all of my strings tuned except the very last C string on the back of my harp. It is not only labeled as the wrong letter on my tuner, but I also can't get it to calibrate. Can anyone tell me what is wrong? The harp was used but the strings have just been replaced and it is a good brand.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

It could be that it is out of the range of your tuner. You could try using a different tuner, tuning it by ear, using the C string an octave away, or matching it to a piano or keyboard. There are some ideas here as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJvWnYaod9GeprM Good luck!

[@greekgodapollosfarts7823]

I have a big problem, when i pluck a string my tuner picks up 2 different letters . For example if i pluck the f string it will say f but then go to g or a . I tried tightening it more but then it has a # symbol next to it which i think means it is sharp. I am very new to playing any instrument so i am just confused but i do not want to give up because i really love the harp . I have a korg tuner and it has a outlet and clip so i know it is not picking up any other sounds. :(

[@JacquelinePollauf]

If you play an F and it starts on by saying F, but then changes to a G or A as you tune, it's possible that you're turning the tuning key far too much. You could try tuning and just turning the tuning key in very small amounts. If it says "#" after the letter (sharp), then your string is too high and needs to be brought back down a bit. If it says "b" (flat), then your string is too low and you need to bring it back up. You could also try comparing each string to a piano or keyboard. This can be helpful if you're really confused and just want a reference. Good luck!

[@greekgodapollosfarts7823]

Ok thanks so much, so basically i should just lower it and it should go back to normal and just say f?.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Yes, exactly.

[@greekgodapollosfarts7823]

Thanks i will try this :)