rlr@pyuxn.UUCP (10/12/83)
The harp is apparently tuned to the key of Cb major (enharmonic to B major). It has no chromatic (sharp/flat) strings, so it is analogous to having only the white keys on a piano (C major scale) but tuned downward a half-step. The harp has seven pedals, one for each of the seven notes of the scale (Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb). Each pedal has three positions. The first (top?) position leaves the appropriate note (C--B) in its "flatted" state. The next position (middle?) sets the given note to its "natural" state. Thus, by moving the F pedal to the middle position, all F strings on the harp would be tuned to F natural instead of Fb, resulting in a Gb major scale. The last position of a pedal would set the appropriate strings to their "sharp" value. Thus, moving the F pedal another notch would result in all F strings playing F#, which is enharmonic to Gb. This results in a Gb/F# major scale without the leading tone present. Various bizarre combinations of scales, chords, and arpeggiation will result from setting the different pedals to different positions. This information was obtained from a college class in orhcestration, and not through actual "encounters" with a harp, so please forgive any inaccuracy. Rich Rosen pyuxn!rlr