"Lap Harp" is a non-specific term used for the smallest harps, which can be held and played in the player's lap. There are an incredible variety of harp models, and lap harps are no different.
There is an instrument called the "Melody Lap Harp", another by the same manufacturer called "Music Maker Lap Harp." They both have 15 strings, but they hardly count as harps (which by definition don't have a sound board behind the strings.) These meet the definition of psaltery or Dulcimer. There are many versions which are more serious and which have more strings, going all the way up to professional hammered dulcimers (with tripled strings) and which are "lap" harps only in that one side rests against the legs while the main weight of the instrument is supported on one or more legs.
Proper harps have a soundbox which is the connection point for one end of the strings, and a harmonic arch which is very nearly parallel to the strings. Supported on these is the tuning rail with the bridge pins, sharp/flat or sharp levers or sliders or rotaters (they can be quite clever!) and the tuning pegs which anchor the other end of the strings.
Laps harps which are proper harps generally run from 22 to 27 strings, in gut, nylon or metal.
47 strings in a full size harp
That honestly varies with each harp. Non-pedal harps can have anywhere from 20 to 40 strings. Usually harps that have 20 to about 30 strings are referred to as lap harps. A good size lap harp has about 22 to 24 strings. A standard folk harp has 36 strings, thought the more commonly preferred size is 34 strings. Pedal harps can have anywhere from 40 to 48 strings. The Triple Strung harp or Welsh harp has 88 strings the same amount of strings as keys on a piano, but these are exceedingly rare, so I wouldn't worry about this one.
A Jew's Harp (or mouth harp) doesn't have any strings. It is metal, played with the hand and controlled by the mouth.
A harp can have any number of strings from zero to 47 depending on the type of harp and it's originality.
There are at least three different instruments that are commonly called "lap harps".First, there are small lever harps, which are real harps, with vertical strings, that sit on your lap rather than standing on the floor.Second, there is the autoharp, which is a form of zither with dampers that mute different strings, allowing you to strum chords.Third, there is an instrument known as a plucked psaltery, which has a number of strings stretched across a trapezoidal soundboard. These are generally used for playing melodies.
The lap harp can trace its history to medieval times. Extensive directions are available online on how to replace strings on the lap harp. As well, many sites and shops sell the instrument including Amazon.
47 strings in a full size harp
That honestly varies with each harp. Non-pedal harps can have anywhere from 20 to 40 strings. Usually harps that have 20 to about 30 strings are referred to as lap harps. A good size lap harp has about 22 to 24 strings. A standard folk harp has 36 strings, thought the more commonly preferred size is 34 strings. Pedal harps can have anywhere from 40 to 48 strings. The Triple Strung harp or Welsh harp has 88 strings the same amount of strings as keys on a piano, but these are exceedingly rare, so I wouldn't worry about this one.
A Jew's Harp (or mouth harp) doesn't have any strings. It is metal, played with the hand and controlled by the mouth.
560
Different types of harps have different numbers of strings. A standard concert pedal harp has 46 or 47 strings, whereas a lever harp has fewer strings.
A harp can have any number of strings from zero to 47 depending on the type of harp and it's originality.
There are at least three different instruments that are commonly called "lap harps".First, there are small lever harps, which are real harps, with vertical strings, that sit on your lap rather than standing on the floor.Second, there is the autoharp, which is a form of zither with dampers that mute different strings, allowing you to strum chords.Third, there is an instrument known as a plucked psaltery, which has a number of strings stretched across a trapezoidal soundboard. These are generally used for playing melodies.
397
There are around forty-six (46) strings on the harp, depending on what type it is and seven (7) pedals.
46-47 strings
Harp strings may be made of various materials, including; nylon, gut, wire or silk.