How is the lap harp played?
The plucked psaltery lap harp is most often played by using music cards or sheets that fit under the string area so that the player doesn’t have to refer back to a music book to play. The player plucks the strings where indicated on the music cards underneath the strings. A pick or finger can be used to pluck. By following note-to-note and plucking, the player creates the song. Usually there is room for just one verse on the card so to play the complete song, the player repeats as needed. You can see the lap harp being played by Karin Lyle from Balsam Gallery in Waynesville, NC on videos on TK O’Brien’s website.
