Importance

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Abstract

A sharping lever for a folk harp is described which avoids detrimental aspects of prior art levers while providing simple and effective sharping of a harp string and obtaining of true tone quality. The unique configuration of the supporting base, the fret pin and the handle, in which the string rests on the fret pin which in turn rests directly on the base, providing firm contact, allows the device to sharpen the tone of a harp string in a manner which allows for true tone quality to occur. The disclosed sharping lever is mounted on the harp and when in contact with the string, the harmonic tone of the string is raised, and the pressure of the string on the sharping lever is transmitted directly through the support to the harp without vibration or distortion of the raised tone of the harp. Preferably the sharping lever will be positioned and operated such that the string's harmonic tone is raised by one-half tone. The sharping lever may also include an adjustable holding stop to secure certain types of strings against the fret pin. The sharping lever can be made of metallic or non-metallic material, but is preferably of metal and formed by machining, which results in precise bends and curves, a flat base and ample provision for securing and properly aligned mounting of the sharping lever on a harp neck. The invention also includes harps which incorporate the sharping lever.

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First Claim