Harpe

As Printed on a Score

French for harp, labelling its two-stave system (Harpe, or 1re and 2e Harpe when there are two); French scores often keep the full word on later systems. Pedal settings are given as note names or a diagram at the start and before each change.

Abbreviations: Hp.

Also spelled: Harpes

How Composers Use It

Written like a piano part on two staves, at sounding pitch. Each pedal sets one note-name in every octave, so chromatic passages are awkward and enharmonic spellings (B-sharp for C) are normal; leave time for pedal changes. Debussy and Ravel made the harp central to French orchestral colour, with glissandi, harmonics sounding an octave above the written note, and près de la table for a dry, guitar-like tone.

Example

Ravel, Boléro, full score: the harp staff is labelled “HARPE” on the full system, and the abbreviated systems still print the full word “Harpe”.

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