Tuning Pedal Harp | Peterson Strobe Tuners

Tuning Info

Read more and discuss the specifics of tuning Harp.

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Overview

Tuning Pedal Harp, Lever Harp & Lap Harp

The scale and complexity of the harp demands diligent tuning, whether it be chromatic or diatonic, with or without pedals or levers, precise tuning is a must. In the world of harps, there are there are two main instruments, the concert harp and the celtic harp, the former features pedals and the latter features levers, both are tuned to a key in open position, with the accidentals (sharps and flats) obtained by actuating a pedal or lever. C major and E flat major are the most common open string tunings, the former for its simplicity, the latter for its versatility.

Harps vary also in their range which can go all the way up to almost seven octaves. Regardless of whether your instrument is a simple lap harp with a small range and no levers or a full size concert instrument with multiple pedals, the tuning is crucial and deserves your full attention.

First let’s look at tuning a pedal harp. Begin by deciding where to start, if tuning in C major, begin with C4 or middle C which is usually around the middle area on a full sized harp and is often color coded in red. Next, disengage all pedals. The reason for this is to allow the string to be tuned in its full length, without the friction of the discs in the action and to avoid tension being retained between the nut and the discs and between the discs themselves.

Disengaging the pedals means that the strings are in their “Flat” position, this means that the open strings will be tuned in C Flat major, tuning an octave starting with B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#. If this is too complicated for you, you can make this easier and pretty foolproof by adjusting the “Transpose” feature on your tuner to a value of -1 (minus one) and tuning to C, D, E, F, G, A, B, just remember to reverse the transposition to a zero value after tuning in order to use the tuner normally.

Lever harps are tuned diatonically, meaning they are tuned to a specific key.

How To Tune Your Pedal Harp

Disengage all pedals before beginning to tune and adjust the tuner to a transpose value of -1.
Pluck to sound the string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “C” is displayed. With your right hand, adjust the tuning pin with a suitable tuning wrench to stop the tuner’s strobe pattern image from moving continuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
Let the string ring out while you adjust, if you hear no pitch change, the wrong pin is being adjusted and the string may break. Confirm visually that the correct pin is being adjusted for the string to be tuned.
Repeat the until all strings are tuned to C, D, E, F, G, A, B.

Checking Intonation/Regulation

This is the process of determining whether the instrument sounds in tune when the strings are sharped or flatted using the pedals or whether the pedals need adjustment. Normally the adjustment of the pedals is carried out by a harp technician and is called regulation or calibration.

Having tuned the open C strings correctly as described above, press the C pedal into C sharp and pluck the string.
Using your tuner with a transposition value of 0 (zero), check this as follows:
If the tuner shows C# on the display and the strobe image is motionless, the action is working correctly, likewise when pressing the pedal into C natural. If the strobe image moves continuously at any time, the harp needs to be regulated.
Repeat this procedure with the rest of the strings to ensure that your harp’s action is functioning correctly.

How To Tune Your Lever Harp

Ensure all levers are disengaged ( DOWN position ) before beginning to tune.
Pluck to sound the Eb string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “D#” is displayed. With your right hand, adjust the tuning pin with a suitable tuning wrench to stop the tuner’s strobe pattern image from moving contuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
Let the string ring out while you adjust, if you hear no pitch change, the wrong pin is being adjusted and the string may break. Confirm visually that the correct pin is being adjusted for the string to be tuned.
Repeat the above until all strings are tuned to D#, F, G, G#, A#, C & D.

Checking Intonation/Regulation

Having tuned the open Eb strings correctly as described above, raise the lever on an Eb string and pluck the string.
If the tuner shows E on the tuner’s display and the strobe image is motionless, the action is working correctly. However, if the strobe image moves continuously in any one direction, the harp needs to be regulated.
Repeat this procedure with the rest of the strings to ensure that your harp’s action is functioning correctly.

Standard And Alternate Tunings for harp family instruments

= Standard Tuning

G₄

= G in the 4th octave

Pedal Harp

I Play This

Chromatic “C Flat” Tuning

B_-1 C#_-1 D#_-1 E_-1 F#_-1 G#_-1 A#_-1

Standard with pedals UP

Lever Harp

I Play This

Diatonic Flat Tuning

Diatonic Sharp Tuning

D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1

Standard

G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F#_-1

G Major

F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1

F Major

D_-1 E_-1 F#_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C#_-1

D Major

G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 C#_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1

A Flat Major

A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1

B Flat Major

Lap Harp

I Play This

Modal Tuning

D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1

Dorian

E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1

Phrygian

F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1

Lydian

A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1

Aeolian

C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1

Ionian

G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1

Mixolydian

B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1

Locrian

Pedal Harp

I Play This

Chromatic “C Flat” Tuning

B_-1 C#_-1 D#_-1 E_-1 F#_-1 G#_-1 A#_-1

Standard with pedals UP

Lever Harp

I Play This

Diatonic Flat Tuning

D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1

Standard

F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1

F Major

G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 C#_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1

A Flat Major

A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1

B Flat Major

Diatonic Sharp Tuning

D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1

Standard

F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1

F Major

G#_-1 A#_-1 C_-1 C#_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1

A Flat Major

A#_-1 C_-1 D_-1 D#_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1

B Flat Major

Lap Harp

I Play This

Modal Tuning

D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1

Dorian

E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1

Phrygian

F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1

Lydian

A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1

Aeolian

C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1

Ionian

G_-1 A_-1 B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1

Mixolydian

B_-1 C_-1 D_-1 E_-1 F_-1 G_-1 A_-1 B_-1

Locrian

Sweetened Tunings

Unlike other tuners which offer no alternative to generic Equal Temperament, Peterson Tuners contain many choices of “Sweetness“, in other words, several degrees of harmony or consonance in a tuning preset. The Sweetener feature is exclusive to Peterson Tuners and there is one for almost any musical instrument.

For harp, there are Sweetener presets called HP1 HP2 & HP3. these specific targeted adjustments allow the instrument’s overtones to mesh more favorably.

Sweeteners For Harp

HP2

Peterson Lever Harp Sweetener

HP2

Peterson Lever Harp Sweetener

HP3

Peterson Pedal Harp Sweetener

HP4

Peterson Lever Harp Sweetener

HP1

Peterson Pedal Harp Sweetener

HP2

Peterson Lever Harp Sweetener

HP3

Peterson Pedal Harp Sweetener

HP4

Peterson Lever Harp Sweetener

Products With Harp Sweeteners

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboClip HDC

$79.99

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. This versatile tuner comes complete with a bright high-definition screen, over 50 Sweetened™ tunings, alternate temperaments for a vast array of string and wind instruments, and soft rubber-lined jaws to protect your instrument's finish while offering a firm grip for maximum signal tracking.

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Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp LE

$169.99

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.

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StroboPLUS HDC

$179.99

The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo! The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0.1 cent tuning accuracy will tune any instrument with the utmost precision. Featuring a high-definition, multi-color display with variable color LED backlight, the StroboPLUS HDC display can be seen easily across the stage, bench, studio or classroom. Over 200 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board accommodate a variety of instruments, temperaments, and musical genres. The highly configurable metronome features precise 0.1 BPM adjustability in eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes or half notes, a tempo range of 10-280 BPM, over 100 subdivisions, accent patterns, and polyrhythms. The StroboPLUS HDC can also be used to play thousands of bars of tempo maps, programmable from the Peterson Connect Web App. A single tempo map can play an entire score of meter changes, accent patterns, subdivisions, bar colors, silent bars and gradually curved tempo changes like accelerandos and ritardandos. The StroboPLUS HDC is the perfect tuning, ear training and rhythm tool all in one package!

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StroboStomp HD

$149.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.

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StroboPLUS HD

$149.99

The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market! Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. Gone are the days of having to carry extra batteries and tripping over power cables during a performance! This tuner is rechargeable via computer bus or outlet power, and its large, circular screen is easily viewed in both the darkest and brightest environmental conditions. Features such as Auto Off, easy menu navigation, tripod mounting capability, over 90 of our Sweetened Tunings, tone generation ability via built in speaker, and a headphone output jack round out the package. Finally, future-proof updating and parameter editing is made possible by the tuner’s unobtrusive side-mounted USB jack. And for those feeling exceptionally adventurous, this tuner can be upgraded to also feature our super flexible Body Beat metronome option, along with both audible AND tactile mode operation. Hear the beat or feel it…the power is in your hands. This tuner is fit for the most discerning of players and technicians for sure!

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iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

iStroboSoft (iOS)

$9.99

iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in your electrics or use the built-in mic for acoustic instruments to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.

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Things to check to get the most out of your instrument’s tuning

1. Make sure to keep strings in good condition, when fitting new strings and tuning up for the first time, watch for a rapid “to and fro” strobe movement, this is usually an indication of a bad string which needs to be swapped out.

2. Tune the middle octave first, alternating then with treble and bass octaves to retain an even tension on the frame.

3. Use the proper tuning wrench to avoid stripping pins.

4. Check your harp’s regulation often, pedal harps will usually need more frequent regulation than lever harps.

Famous Harps

Harps made by Sebastian & Pierre-Orphée Érard, George Lyon & Patrick Healy, Aldo Salvi, Joël Garnier are held in high regard.The Érard Gothic double action played by Alphonse Hasselmans, the Lyon & Healy Style 24 played by Harpo Marx, Alan Stivell, Andreas Vollenweider & Rüdiger Oppermann’s own custom harps, both acoustic and electric and of course Turlough O’ Carolan’s celtic harp from the 1600s are among the most famous instruments.

Documents

Pedal & Lever Harp Tuning with StroboPLUS HD

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StroboClip HDC

$79.99

StroboStomp LE

$169.99

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$179.99

StroboStomp HD

$149.00

StroboPLUS HD

$149.99

iStroboSoft (iOS)

$9.99