Harper or Harpist?

[unknown-user]

I don’t want to offend people here. which one is more appropriate? and if someone wouldn’t mind explaining the distinction I would greatly appreciate it.

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

Hi Meghan,

Okay, I’ll don the asbestos suit and tell you what I think the difference is….

Before I begin, I would like to say that these are GENERALIZATIONS ONLY….and none of this applies to everyone.

A harper seems to me to be someone

[unknown-user]

Harper is a traditional name for one who plays a harp, meaning a folk harp or renaissance, medieval harp, anything preclassical. It goes way, way back.

Any classical harp player is a harpist, for certain. But, if they were playing a lever harp at a fair, you could call them a harper. Just don’t call me a harpo.

[unknown-user]

I also know some harpests, but I won’t name names.

We have seen some threads here about harpets already. Harpits would be opera, show or ballet players, always in the pits.

In Russia, are we arfers? Arfa, arfa.

[Audrey Nickel]

It doesn’t really have anything to do with training.

[unknown-user]

I was told that it depended on the harp you played, not the music.

[Audrey Nickel]

It pretty much comes down to the same thing.

[kay-lister]

Hey There Audrey,

Guess I am (and pretty much always have been) the exception to the rule.

[Audrey Nickel]

Sounds to me like you’re still a harpist, since it seems that pedal/classical is your ultimate goal.

[Author]

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