Reading response - Book Report/Review Example

Response Reading: History of Harps Undeniably, a harp features as one of the most applicable string instruments in music. A harp also emerges among the oldest stringed instruments, collectively referred to a chordophones. Based on the reading, I reinforced the fact that harps differ slightly from other instruments in the chordophones category. Technically, stringed instruments are made up of two basic components, a resonator and strings. All other stringed instruments have strings positioned parallel to the resonator.

However, both traditional and modern harps are unique because strings run perpendicular to the resonator (Szmyt 01). The unique alignment of strings in reference to the resonator explains why harps are capable of producing xylophonic sounds. Apart from reinforcing the fact of resonator and strings alignment of harps, I captured certain new aspects regarding historical developments of harps. In the past I never realized that harps were used extensively by ancient societies. Based on the reading, I developed a comprehensive understanding of harp’s origin and development.

Apparently, archeologists assert that harps appeared in western Asia as early as 3000 BC. Aside from western Asia, the Egyptian Fourth Dynasty used harps around 2500 BC. This indicates that harps emerged in human history earlier than I had thought. Supposedly, the two types of harps have distinct historical background. The bow-shaped harp likely belonged to Western Asia, and was developed from the concept of a hunter’s bow. On the contrary, the arched type of harp is closely associated with East Asia and Africa, specifically Egypt (Szmyt 05).

At this juncture, I am intrigued by the level of geometrical skills and techniques that ancient Egypt possessed. Egyptian arched harps assumed the shape of an equilateral triangle, with the neck and the resonator forming a 60 degree angle. Such level of geometric precision arouses many thoughts about ancient music societies. In conclusion, is appears ideas and skills of harps were transferred from Asia and Africa to Europe. The Irish and the Welsh are notably the latest users of traditional harps, around the 17th and 18th centuries.

Irish and the Welsh incorporated further modifications to harps, hence allowing the instrument to produce all musical notes in every key. In this regard, it is undeniable that harps have undergone extended history of construction and strengthening into the modern forms used by instrumentalists today. Work CitedSzmyt, Elzbieta. The Harp and its History. Pittsburg: Cengage Publishing, 2006. Print.