“The strings on the harp are like the white keys on the piano.”
That’s usually how I explain the layout of the harp!
(See the previous post @daniellekuntzharp to learn why I take this approach.)
The strings on the harp are color-coded (Red = C, Black = F) so we can tell the strings apart.
But what about the black keys? How do you get chromatics (sharps and flats) on the harp?
The harp pedals!
The harp has seven pedals, one for each diatonic pitch class (aka, a C pedal, D pedal, E pedal, etc.)
Each pedal controls all of the strings for that pitch class. (Ex. the C pedal adjusts all the Cs on the harp). When the pedal is all the way up, all the strings are in flat (ex. Cb). The middle position is natural (ex. C-natural) and the lower position is sharp (ex.C#).
This set with the double action pedal mechanism gives us the ability to play enharmonics, or the same pitch on two different strings! (ex. Eb and D#). (To learn more, check out my YouTube video on enharmonics)
While the layout of the harp is similar to the piano, the capabilities are quite different and unique!