Whats the difference between folk and pedal harps?
A. Folk harps are smaller and portable with 21-35 strings and about 12-25 pounds. They have levers so the technique in playing is slightly different than pedal harp. The left hand is used to make lever (accidental) changes while playing instead of pedals used by the feet to make the tone changes. Whereas pedal harps are much bigger and as the name suggest, come with seven pedals to make accidentals and range from 75 – 100 pounds. They have pedals instead of levers, so the feet make the accidental changes instead of levers. Beginning music is usually simple and does not require much accidental changes. Thus, a folk harp can cover the range and the keys of most pieces in the first year. (See www.celticharper.com about folk/Celtic vs.
