The Celtic Nylon Harp

The Celtic Nylon Harp is a small warm, and adorable sounding harp with a height of nearly 39 inches (98 cm) and is mainly used in traditional music. The wooden instrument has a range of three octaves between C2 and C5 (which we extended downwards to C1) and has got 22 strings which are made of nylon and are finger-plucked. The nylon harp has a lever close to the top of each string. When engaged, this lever shortens the string and, consequently, raises the pitch by a semitone (sharped note if the string was a natural).

After recording and releasing the harp in 2010, we decided to update the entire instrument in 2015 and now in 2022. Three different articulations were recorded in two different microphone settings on all 22 strings of the Celtic Nylon Harp. Besides finger picking, we recorded additional harmonics and captured the sound of the strings being beaten with a mallet. The vintage articulation is a heritage from previous versions of this instrument. We extended the low range of the instrument to reach down to C1.

We also added a script which allows the user to play glissandos using the mod-wheel. In contrast to most glissando instruments, this feature has a dynamic detection system that allows only the notes currently held down to be played in the glissando. This way, playing glissandos becomes much more intuitive and flexible than if you had to select scales or chords globally.

On top of that, we included an arpeggiator based on Ensemblias voicing engine. Once again, the Celtic Nylon Harp fulfils the tradition of the Cinematique Instruments Strings by sounding charming, organic and inspiring