Why are square backed harps harder to play than round backed harps?

[mia-strayer]

My harp teacher has several dusty strings lever harps & I can’t play any of them, but I can play her pedal harp
I want to know, why are square backed harps harder to play than round backed harps?
thanks for the help

[Sherri Matthew]

Hi Mia,
I don’t have any experience with square-backed harps, but I’m guessing it’s a comfort issue… perhaps the rounded back of the harp just places easier into your shoulder. (I’m not too sure how you’d classify my Triplett harp – it’s somewhere between square and round!) Maybe someone else will have some ideas for your question.

[andee-craig]

I play a Dusty Strings but I don’t find the square back to be a problem. However, I’ve never really played anything else for any length of time. Maybe the round back is easier to get your arms around (smoother, no edges).

[jennifer-buehler]

Dusty Strings are very wide at the top. I have a Square back Thormahlen Serenade that is much easier to reach around than even a stave backed Dusty.

[deb-l]

I never understood why my stave backed Dusty feels like a larger harp than it is. I didn’t notice that it’s wider at the top. It makes a difference to sit at exactly the right height, If I sit a little too low it’s awkward. Guess I know why that is now : )

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