The Trehawsa Aeolian Harp

Following the success of the Aeolian/Celtic harp recording entiltled 'Soirbheas' (see separate page on this website) Sarah Deere-Jones and Phil Williams decided to construct a permanent exterior aeolian harp at Trehawsa, home of the Cornwall Harp Centre. The harp which is 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide, is made from timber taken from the woods at Trehawsa. A suitably shaped neck section came from a fallen Oak, and the curved pillar was made of a branch of Holly. The soundbox sides are made of Scots pine, whilst plywood was used for the soundboard. The first set of strings which are tunable, are thick gauge nylon fishing line, and 16 strings have been fitted. The harp is expected to undergo a series of adjustments as it settles and is weathered by wind and rain, the only protection is a layer of yacht varnish applied to the soundboard.

The Aeolian harp is activated by the wind, which vibrates the strings and produces harmonics of the actual pitch of the strings. It is a fascinating sound and varies from dramatic screeches and throbbing hums to gentle continous chords and wispy glissandis. The sounds depend on wind strength and direction as well as the tuning, gauge and tension of strings. People have been fascinated by the sound of the aeolian harp for centuries, in the middle ages it was the cause of harpists being accused of sorcery or witchcraft because their harps could play unaided. Even today it is considered a magical and mysteriously haunting sound and has been described as 'ethereal' 'other-worldly' and 'like angels singing'!

See 'Soirbheas' CD page for more information about Aeolian harps.

Phil cutting the wood to size, possibly not usually done on harps with a chainsaw!

Pupils from the Cornwall Harp Centre celebrate the installation of the Trehawsa wind harp in May 2006