The harp is probably the oldest string- type musical instrument in existence.
How did it Evolve to the present day instrument and Where did it come From ?
My firm belief is that a harp's melodic sound was first detected by a hunter in the Upper reaches of the Garw Valley, whilst listening to the sound created by a Westerly Wind coming from the direction of Maesteg, causing his tightly strung bow resting at the entrance of his cave to vibrate, generating a melodic tone, similar to that of an Aeolian (Wind) Harp.
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The Worlds first motorised 2CV powered Aeolian Harp. Photo shot taken by Jack Bellamy,Production Director whilst making the series Byd Y Crefftwr " The World of The Craftsman". Dewyn Y Delyn "The Harp Magician" a S4C TV.production 1987 |
Alternatively a hunter could have plucked his bow with the lower section resting against a hollow object, such as a skull of a defeated invader, thus causing the resonated sound to be amplified.
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Three to four thousand years later, the then Celts residing in this wonderful land of ours devised a variety of multi-strung, rapid- firing bow and arrow type devices to defend our country from foreign invaders such as the Romans who attempted to establish holiday home complexes this side of Offa's Dyke . |
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A youthful Yours Truly demonstrating how we kept the Sassenachs the other side of Offa's Dyke AD 1957 |
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These multi-strung bows, in turn were the forerunners of the modern Delyn Tair Rhes, the harp with three rows of strings, known as the Triple Harp .
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Robin Bowen
75 String Triple Harp |
Margaret Hunman
98 String Triple Harp |
Joanna Evans
75 String Triple Harp |
Thus the musical world at large must be thankful for the wonderful melodic tones of the modern day harp, which derived from the simple hunter's bow invented in the upper regions of the Garw Valley.
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