This is not only bad for the strings but they also contain certain oils in them that could seep into your instrument or attract even more dirt and dust. Additionally, do not put on any kind of moisturizing creams or lotions on your hands before playing. You can do this by washing your hands before you play and making sure that they are properly dried before you begin playing. One thing you can do to help keep your harp clean and looking like new is to try to prevent any kind of build-ups and to try limiting how much dirt has the opportunity to get on your instrument. However, if you don’t properly clean your harp, the oils and dirt can build up and seep into the protective varnish and into the wood and cause much deeper damage to the instrument’s structural integrity and to its beautiful appearance. In the short-run, these oils and dirt can cause the wood to become slippery and hard to hold on to. This contact means that it will absorb the oils and dirt on your body and hands which will, in turn, attract even more oils and dirt. Unlike other string instruments that use bows on the strings to create sound like the cello or have straps to hang from like the guitar, the harp is solely reliant on contact with the player’s body to remain upright and create music. And despite how solid and strong they look, harps are a lot more delicate than you would think. It just might be a little harder to see on such a big instrument. Why Do You Need To Clean Your HarpĪs said before, harps are subject to the same wear and tear that all other instruments are. Not only will it keep your harp looking beautiful, but it will also keep your harp sounding just as beautiful and help to extend its lifespan just a bit longer.
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No matter if you’re just starting to learn how to play or have played your whole life, if your instrument is of beginner quality or hand-crafted for masters, it is important to keep your instrument clean. You can also clean these places more thoroughly when you change out strings. For the top of the harp where the strings, tuning pins, and sound discs or sharping levers are located, use a soft-bristled brush or a makeup brush to dust these spots. Focus on and give special attention to the parts that are touched the most like the soundbox, strings, and neck as they attract fingerprints and collect the oils from your hands. Make a routine of using a very soft cloth to lightly dust the whole instrument after every practice. The simplest way to clean a harp is to keep it clean. And because harps are a very contact heavy type of instrument, this makes properly keeping your harp clean and beautiful even more important. As expected, harps are subjected to the same wear and stress and build-up problems that all other string instruments have. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the harp probably has the most elegant and graceful reputation of all the musical instruments but nothing can ruin that image faster than seeing a dirty and worn out harp.