Like
the Paraguayan harp, the Bardic harp is played with the fingernails
and not with the fleshy tips of the fingers. The harp is held between
the knees, resting on the calves, and with the right lout crossed
over the left foot.
The
technique of playing the wire-strung harp is quite different from
that usually advocated for other harps as the fingers are "hooked",
and the fingernail is used as a "plectrum". This renders
possible various ornaments such as trills, sustained tremolos, and
repeated notes which would be impossible on a normal harp.
As
the left hand is mostly used for chords, the finger tips are used
instead of fingernails, and this makes a pleasing contrast in timbre.
The fingernails should be cut almost square with the corners slightly
rounded off; the correct length is about 3mm beyond the finger tip.
If the nail is too long, it will produce a harsh tone.
The
strings should be pulled gently like those of the classical guitar.
