The Queen Mary Harp
History
[1] Paul Dooley and Paul Whittake and other music students have dealt extensively with the question of what music was played on a medieval harp. The Robert Ap Huw manuscript, which is in the British Library, is the oldest surviving harp music from Europe. It offers a unique insight into an ancient style of music.
The Queen Mary Harp
The Queen Mary Harp (Scottish Gaelic: Clàrsach na Banrìgh Màiri) is a Scottish Clarsach currently on display at the National Museum of Scotland. It is believed to date from the 15th century and originated in Argyll in south-west Scotland. It is one of the three oldest surviving Gaelic harps.
Our Queen Mary Harp is a replica of the mentioned harp.
Size and Range:
Pitch range: 30 strings
(G2 -C5)
Length: 79cm
Width: 30cm
Height: 42.9 cm
Introduction of the theory
I studied the theory of applied acoustics when building the Queen Mary harp.
This helped us to calculate string diameters and the resulting tension strength of the strings. In addition, it gives us informations on how to optimize the instruments.
In order to calculate the physical values, the tension forces are calculated with Excel using frequency, material and string diameter.
The partial tone detuning, which is also calculated, serves as a reference point for the sound of the string. With the tension tests, the strings are individually recorded with a contact microphone and analyzed with the program Matlab using spectral and amplitude curves. This information helps to optimize the sound, diameter and tension of the strings. A decision is then made on the instrument as to which strings sound best, whether the diameter can be reduced or increased, and what minimum tension is required for each string. Pictures and seats of the original Queen Mary harp serve as a template.