harper or harpist?

[Jessica A]

I wonder what lever harp players call themselves.

[Pat Eisenberger]

Personally I refer to myself as a “harper,” but that is mainly because I play Celtic music almost exclusively. My lever harp is also very Irish in appearance.

When you say “harpist” I think that most people envision a pedal harp. While I currently also have a pedal harp, it’s not the one I take out in public.

[Karen Johns]

I agree with Pat. It’s kind of like the difference between a fiddler and a violinist. I think of myself as mostly a harper, because of the venue of music I play, and the fact I play a lever rather than pedal harp.

Having said that, however…the line can become very blurred when you have a lever harp that looks like a pedal harp and you play only classical music on it (for instance). And, it depends on the person. Some people are touchy at being designated either a “harper” or a “harpist”. I’m cool with either term, but prefer harper.

Karen

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