In this way, you can compose straight from your browser using this virtual harp online. There’s no installation or download required. As far as I can tell, it copies a twenty-two string lever harp that is mainly in C major.
There are two main ways to interact with the harp. Firstly, you may pluck out single note by tapping on the strings with your mouse (or touch screen). Similarly, you can ‘sweep’ through the strings for a glissando effect. Secondly, you can play the harp using keys on your computer keyboard. This offers a more tactile and rapid way to play.
How to Play the Virtual Harp
To the eye, the strings are arranged visually starting with the lowest on the left and rising up towards higher pitches on the right-hand side. Tapping/clicking on an individual string will sound that note. The harp strings then naturaly ring out, so there’s no need to hold the click down. It’s more about when to touch the strings and this helps you create the rhythm. On a touch device you’re able to click several strings at once. In this way, you can play chords. You can also strum full harmonies just like on real instrument.
One of the most characteristic sounds of the harp, and what it can do, is produce a sliding effect by sweeping your finger or cursor sideways along its strings. As the widget can detect continual movement, it will trigger notes as you move across them. Slowly sweep up from the thick low strings through to the thin high ones. You get that shimmering wash of overlapping sound which is what the harp does.
The middle octave of the harp is assigned to first eight number keys on the keyboard. These are equivalent to black and white notes from middle C through to following C. There is also a space bar that will automatically trigger a slide that then sweeps down and up over the whole range of the harp. This can be helpful when you want to hear how all of the notes sound together. It also lets you add some decorative runs to your playing. The response of the keyboard is immediate and accurate which allows you to perform quicker passages without having to use a mouse.
The C, G, F buttons are like the levers on an actual acoustic lever harp that let you alter the key of your harp. If you select G major then all of the F notes will be raised by a semi-tone to become F sharps. Selecting F major would lower each of the B notes to a B flat. You can then perform in other tonalities without having to retune by hand. Take time to hear how it changes when you alter the key. Changing the interval relationships makes a distinct difference than the glissando sound.
There are also several demo buttons that demonstrate how it sounds when played. If you click on the auto glissando button, it will play a sweeping run from the bottom to top strings and then back down again. Clicking the arpeggio button will roll through the tonic chord in a more traditional way for a harp. If you’re new to the instrument these demonstrations are useful as they let you hear some common ways of playing the instrument. You can stop an automatic sequence by clicking on the same button.
On the lower right of the interface are controls for adjusting the volume. Slide this around and adjust the master volume until it’s comfortabley. Be warned that the harps sound surprisingly full. Begin here with something modest.
The widget has an option to go into full-screen mode. This is more immersive. To do this, click on the fullscreen button which expands the instrument onto your screen. You then have more space in which to view the strings. Sweeping gestures are also easier based off a small monitor.
There’s a special button to open the help panel. Hit this and you’ll see the guide appear which explains keyboard shortcuts and the control layout. It even explains how the strings are color coded. The darker string is an F note, the red string is a C note. This visual helps you orient yourself quickly on the instrument. Anytime you want to hide the help panel just hit it again and you’re back to a nice clean playing surface.
Experiment by layering sounds for the most effect on this instrument. Pluck out high melodies while letting the lower ones ring. They have a natural sustain because they keep ringing. Taps from the keyboard can be blended with mouse sweeps. These provide textural variety. Mouse movements are expressive, complemented by an instant response from the keyboard. Spend some time exploring the dynamic range too. Explore the individual qualities of sound that each string has.
To begin, use the number keys and play through a C major scale. Next, sweep over the strings feeling the way it respond with the glissando. Switching to a different key such as G major, listen out for how the raised F notes will change the mood. There’s no need to set anything up, just open this page and away you go. You could of created some music today.