Replacing a Gut Harp String, Harp Care, Maintenance, and Repair #12

Many new harpists are daunted by the prospect of changing a broken string, but this video demonstrates in step by step instructions how to replace a gut string. Using a full sized pedal harp as a model, a lower (thicker) and higher (thinner) gut string are both replaced.
00:00 Introduction
1:14 Tools needed
1:48 Replacing a low register (thick) gut string (removing the string, preparing the harp, tying a knot, threading the string through the harp, winding around the tuning pin, tuning the string, clipping off the excess)
5:09 Tying a knot in a low register (thick) gut string
9:59 Replacing a high register (thin) gut string (removing the string, preparing the harp, tying a knot with an anchor, threading the string through the harp, winding around the tuning pin with locking, tuning the string, clipping off the excess)
12:59 Tying a knot in a high register (thin) gut string with an anchor
Other string changing videos:
How to Determine the Correct Replacement String:
• How to Determine the C...
Replacing a Nylon String:
• Replacing a Nylon Harp...
Replacing a Wire String
• Replacing a Wire Harp ...
Replacing a Full Set of Strings:
• Replacing a Full Set o...
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.

[@shelleysouza]

All your videos are helpful but this one, in particular, is the best. Like many progressing beginners I have watched and tried so many ways to tie the knot and each time it was always stressful. My 4th octave B on the pedal harp broke about three weeks ago. I was occupied with a difficult project on a deadline and didn't have additional energy to deal with the stress of changing a harp string. So, no practice until my lesson a couple of days ago which I had to use as practice and which my amazing teacher understood the reason why. She once told me it was better to keep the lesson even if I hadn't practised because there'd always be something I could learn--and it was true, I did learn new things. In addtion I felt inspired to change my string as soon as possible so that I could get back to my regular practice which I usually love because the sound of the harp is always so wonderful. This morning, I changed my string in less than three minutes. Your method is so easy I couldn't believe how quickly I was able to tie the knot. Thank you so much.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm so glad to hear that this was helpful and that you were able to change the string smoothly! Replacing strings can be quite difficult. And that's great about your teacher and the approach of always having something to learn in a lesson - I feel the same way.

[@jessicawhitney2074]

I come back to this video every time I change a string, thanks for making it so easy to follow

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Glad to hear you find it a useful recurring reference! Exactly my intention.

[@attilakovacs5803]

Hello Jacqueline! The scariest part of your video is when you're telling about strings breaking at night. This morning at about 4 a.m. I was sleeping happily when I suddenly awakened for a loud bang from the direction of my 38-string Salvi harp standing beside my bed. I had no idea about the source of the noise, and I was really tired, so I just fell back asleep, but when I woke up later in the morning I found that the 2nd octave d string had been broken. Then I remembered the noise before dawn. It is really spooky that these unexpected things tend to happen at night! But it is very relaxing to know (from the comments, too) that other people have the same experience and probably nothing supernatural is involved in this phenomenon. Thanks for the great video anyway!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

That's quite funny that you had a string break in the middle of the night! Yes, it does happen, and i don't even find the noise alarming any more, because I know what it is. I definitely do not think it is supernatural!

[@sugarfalls1]

That's pretty freaky especially since the harp was right in your bedroom! Glad you were able to fall back to sleep! lol See, this is something someone who doesn't play the harp would even think of! lol Thanks for sharing that wild story!

[@moirbasso7051]

Thanks. YOur calm and soothing manner helped me, when a string broke- it hadn't done so on my pedal harp for a while, and I sort of freaked for a second. You helped me remember, it just does that, every once in a while! LOL

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm glad my video was helpful! It can be stressful when a string breaks unexpectedly, but not to worry!

[@Milk_Bone]

How is this the least viewed instructional video on the topic? Thanks for the thorough closeup sections, much appreciated!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm glad you found the video helpful! The close-ups were tricky to film, so I'm really happy to here that they're appreciated!

[@markbernier8434]

I know nothing of harps, but for the smaller strings I would have tied a clove hitch around the string end. This was very informative, I watched because I had been watching a player and said to myself "how on earth do they string that thing?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Glad I could answer your question about how harpists change strings!

[@ivyaikolam5746]

Thank you for the clear instructions and close-ups. Beforehand I didn’t realize the difference between changing a thick and a thinner string.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@chezcaudwell1938]

Very interesting Ive been working for bow brand the strings you was using since 2002 and that is the first time I have seen how they are put on the harp thanks.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Do you mean you make the strings? I've watched videos about this and have always wanted to visit a factory and see it in person. Glad you liked the video!

[@chezcaudwell1938]

@@JacquelinePollauf hi yes we make the strings and we do have factory visits from time I’ve worked my way round the factory I started in the raw material in the wet area, then 5 years put the dry gut though the polishing machine then I moved to dispatch/ packing. If you do come to England we are in kings lynn it 100 miles from London.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@chezcaudwell1938 That sounds like really interesting work. I hope you enjoy it (or at least parts of it). Good to hear that you have factory visits!

[@stevendenmark4473]

For me, the most helpful part of the video came at the very end, because I've recently purchased a new harp (LH Prelude 40), and already two strings have burst after three days since it arrived, both 4th octave gut of course. And one of them broke randomly in the middle of the night, though I had read about this and made sure to keep the temperature at about 68F. The humidity around 50%. So, when you said at the end that sometimes strings just break and it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, I just sort of, sighed relief! But this video overall was very easy to follow along and pleasant to watch. I laughed a little when you were clipping anchors and one of them darted off and hit a wire string! It's happened to me too. Cheers!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to hear that you found this video helpful (and funny in spots!) with your new harp. Strings really can just break at any time, so I don't think you're doing anything wrong with your harp. I hope that in between replacing strings, you're enjoying playing it!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Try Fluorocarbon Strings

[@lauradietrich4932]

This video is excellent. I’d been using a video by a well known harpist and it was so confusing. Your video is crystal clear and easy to understand. Thank you! I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm so glad you found the video helpful and easy to understand! Exactly what I was striving for.

[@martilongo1154]

Such a helpful demonstration! Thanks

[@JacquelinePollauf]

My pleasure!

[@downpatmusic]

Thank you, I just changed my first harp string and your instructions worked perfectly. My wife is selling her Lyon Healy Full Pedal Harp Electro Acoustic only moved once in its life. The harp tech just replaced the strings and regulated it and a 1st octave string broke, probably at night like you said. All tuned up again! THANK YOU!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm so glad to hear that this video was helpful and you were able to change your first string! That's excellent news. Good luck with selling the harp!

[@rhinoloupe]

Excellent video! Thank you Jacqueline. So easy to follow for replacing my first ever broken string :) This will be a video I can refer to for years to come.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Glad you found it helpful, and that you replaced your first string! I wish I could say it will also be your last, but that's not the way harps work...

[@janicelewis3661]

Thank you very informative

[@JacquelinePollauf]

My pleasure!

[@margarethankett4937]

Thank you so much for your superb clarity in demonstrating the technique involved in changing both thick & thin gut strings. I especially appreciated the close-ups of the actual knotting procedure, and your calm voice & reassuring words regarding the truth about broken strings - that they just happen, & there is no need to panic; as well as your great suggestion on cutting up old 5th octave C, B, or A strings to create anchors for future string changes. The quality of the lighting in your video was excellent, & your smile, very encouraging. Thank you again. God bless you! (I have found that some of my broken strings happen after large barometric pressure changes- not sure if there is any connection there).

[@JacquelinePollauf]

So glad to be of help! I'm happy to hear that you found everything useful and hope your string changing goes well. Good luck!

[@Vercus100]

I just replaced my first harp string today. I don't know why, but getting that knot right was not easy for me at all. Your video was excellent, I was just having trouble with it. My string had a ton of memory, and kept coiling up super tight around my hand. In the end, I got it done. The knot looks hideous, but it works. Hopefully the next one goes easier. Thanks so much for the video!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

The knots can really be challenging! It frequently takes quite a while to feel comfortable with it, and sometimes the gut is quite resistant. I'm sure it will get easier!

[@joanlin3967]

So clearly explained, thank you. Will try this out. ❤️

[@JacquelinePollauf]

You're welcome! I hope your string changing goes well.

[@ThePianoPutterer]

Thank you so much for this video! It helped immensely!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

So glad to hear that!

[@BoyGorge]

Thanks a million!!!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

You're welcome!

[@ElNinoBance]

A good alternative for string anchors is to use small wooden dowels (usually used in carpentry), with a diameter between 4 and 6mm. They can be purchased in generous batches, for cheap, at most hardware stores.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I do know that some harpists use wooden dowels, but I personally prefer to use string anchors. Thanks for sharing the tip!

[@ElNinoBance]

@@JacquelinePollauf I usually use wooden anchors for low-mid strings, and string anchors for treble strings. Thank you very much for these videos, as a newly established (folk) harpmaker in Scotland, they helped me better understand pedal harps (which I'm way less familiar with than lever ones).

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@ElNinoBance Glad you've got a system that works well for you with the string anchors! And that's fantastic that you're a harp maker and that you've found some of my videos about pedal harps helpful. Good luck to you!

[@vicachu]

Strings frequently breaking in the middle of the night could be because of cooler temperatures that cause the strings to tighten up, like how power lines sag and contract during hot and cold weather :) Also; do u know if string ball ends (like in guitars/violins) are not used for harp strings because it's in direct contact with the soundboard and could rattle? Or perhaps some other reason? P.s. this was a very clean and thorough video tutorial, with clear closeup views.. spot-on 👌

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I believe that you are correct about string ball ends. There is always a fear of rattling or buzzing with the anchor, so hence the popularity of string ends. Glad you found the video helpful! It took a while to figure out how to do the close-ups well, so I'm happy to hear that they are working well. Thanks for watching!

[@vicachu]

@@JacquelinePollauf Oooh, i didn't know there was always a fear of anchor rattling/buzzing.. that more or less practically confirms it I couldn't find a direct answer on google, so this really helps a lot; thank you so much 😊

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@vicachu Glad to help!

[@Harpsibored]

Thank you for the video, still struggling figuring out gut strings unfortunately. Do you need to add slack when you replace a higher gut string or not really? (just nylon?) Also I had a problem with my gut string wearing out on top if I didn't wind it in correctly the first time. I'm not at a level where I can just wind it perfectly in one try. Do you have any tips on how to prevent this? Thank you!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Generally wire strings are the only strings where you need to add slack when putting a new string on (by which I mean not pulling the string taut before you begin to wind it). When it comes to winding the string around the pin, most people who find this challenging have trouble getting the string to wind tidily and not end up jumbled on top of itself. If this is the trouble you're having, I'd suggest seeing if you can have someone help you during this step. Usually if someone puts a finger along the string and you wind slowly they can guide the string into a nice tidy winding the first time around. If you're winding all by yourself, I would just go really slowly and any time the string starts to get out of position, stop and adjust it right then and there so you don't have to completely unwind it and start again. Good luck!

[@bringmeaharpist4381]

Thank you for your videos! My harp teacher retired a few years ago, and your videos have been very helpful! Could I ask a question? I recently had a 5th octave B string break - it broke near the bottom of the string. I was able to replace it, and I thought it was fine, but about a week later the same 5th octave B string (the new one) broke again, this time up at the top of the string by the tuning pin. Is there something I could have done wrong that caused this to happen? I suppose it could also be climate change - we had a warm spring day with windows open when it broke the second time. I’d appreciate hearing any thoughts or insight that you have. Thank you so much!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

I'm so glad you're finding my videos helpful! Having the same string break twice in a row is a bit unusual, but since it broke in two different spots, most likely the new string was a bit flawed. This can happen from time to time with gut strings. I think you should be fine with another new string, as annoying as that is!

[@bringmeaharpist4381]

@@JacquelinePollauf It is frustrating! But thank you for taking the time to reply - I appreciate it!

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@bringmeaharpist4381 It is indeed frustrating! Strings can be difficult.

[@johnbrock1602]

The knot is also called a slip knot

[@JacquelinePollauf]

Good to know! My general knowledge of knots is not very good; this is the only knot I can tie.

[@giraffe6801]

Question, can you use a B or G string in place if an A string if i dont have an A string? Thank you for this video! Also, im trying to replace 2 of my A strings because they keep making a buzzing sound, and i have tried everything but change it out. So im hoping changing it will do the trick. Do you have any advice?

[@JacquelinePollauf]

If you don't have an A string, I would use the B string instead. Using a G means that you'll have to wind it tighter than you normally would, so you want to avoid that. Most likely, changing the string will stop the buzzing. I would check to make sure that it's not the string anchor first, but generally a new string will fix the problem, unless it's something mechanical with the harp. Good luck!

[@giraffe6801]

@@JacquelinePollauf Thank You! The buzzing is still there even after changing the string and checking the anchor. So like you said im guessing there is something mechanically wrong with it.

[@JacquelinePollauf]

@@giraffe6801 Sorry to hear that it's still buzzing! It does sound like it's a mechanical issue.