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a harp is a stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. It is classified as a chordophone and only types of harps ar in that class of instrument with plucked strings. All harps have a neck, resonator, and strings. Some, known as frame harps, also have a forepillar. Those without a forepillar are referred to as open harps. Depending on its size, a harp may be played while held in the lap or while it stands on the floor. Harp strings are made of nylon, gut, wire, or silk on certain instruments. A person who plays the harp is called a harpist or harper. Folk musicians often use the term "harper," whereas classical musicians use "harpist."

Various types of harps are found in Africa, Europe, Nourth and South America, and Asia. In antiquity, harps and the closely related lyres were very prominent in nearly all cultures. The oldest harps foundthus far have been uncovered in ruins from ancient Sumer. Harps continued to grow in popularity through improvments in their design and construction through the beginning of the 20th century.

Source: wikipedia.org
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