The beginner should tune every string to the corresponding note on the piano or pitch pipe, but when the harp is tuned for the first time it is advisable to tune it one complete tone under the normal pitch of the piano. In other words, the C (doh) string of the Folk harp should sound like a B flat on the piano. After a few days, the soundboard will acquire a certain curvature due to the tremendous force exerted by all the strings under tension, and it is then only that the sound of the harp is at its best, and true tuning is easier.

Harps must be tuned frequently because atmospheric conditions constantly affect the tuning and close attention must be paid to this before starting to play, for however excellent the skill of the performer may be, if the tuning is bad, all practice to attain perfection will be of little use.

Beginners should tune their harps with the B tuning blade or lever in the ON position and make all strings sound by their normal names in the key of C. When the B tuning blades are turned in the OFF position, the vibrating part of the strings are made longer and so the B strings will sound B flat and the harp is in the key of F major. When the instrument is tuned thus it is possible to play in the following key signatures:

F major and D minor: all B tuning blades OFF.
C major and A minor: all B tuning blades ON.
G major and E minor: all F and B tuning blades ON (one sharp).
D major: all B, F, C tuning blades ON (two sharps).
A major: all B, F, C, G tuning blades ON (three sharps).
E major: all B, F, C, G, D tuning blades ON (four sharps).
B major: all B, F, C, G, D, A, tuning blades ON (five sharps).

This arrangement gives ten key signatures, which is quite enough for a start. Later on, the new harpist will learn to tune his harp in the key of Eb, which will add Bb, and Eb to the list.

If your new harp is of the Paraguayan type, it should be tuned in the key of C with the help of a piano or a pitch pipe. Now suppose you want to tune your "Arpa India" in the key of G, all you have to do is to use your tuning key and wind all F strings a little bit until they sound F#. If you want to play in the key of F, unwind all B strings and make them sound Bb and so on.

When you are in the process of tuning your harp, never leave the tuning key on the tuning pin, because if it were to fall off from this height it would make an unsightly dent in the soundhoard.