Arpa Magica
Where to begin? While visiting (and playing live music in) Playa del Carmen, MX, located in the Yucutan ..on the Caribbean Coast, I was window shopping along "Aveneda Cinco".. i.e., 5th Avenue, when I came upon a very interesting musical instrument called an "Arpa Magica". (Magic Harp.)
As is the custom, I attempted to "bargain" with the vendor over the 150 pesos
(around $15 US at the time) to try to buy this BRAND NEW instrument for 100 pesos (around $10 US at the time and was my final payment.. no tax). There were around 15 to 20 white boxes of them, all stacked about waist high, with a "demo" model out for display.. NOT in tune mind you.
Being somewhat of a collector of unusual musical instruments (see http://www.mikestrickland.net/psaltery, http://www.mikestrickland.net/autoharp for a few examples) I couldn't resist having this.. harplike sounding instrument.. whatever it could do!
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Instrument is made of thin plywood and a few 2x2 wood blocks. The tuning pegs are tuned using a 7 1/6 in. socket wrench. All strings are the same size and look to be about comparable to an 11 or 12 gage guitar string.
Length = 16 1/2 in.
Width = 7 7/8 in.
Height = 2 in.
All measurements approximate.
There are 2 full octaves.. from a lower "C" to a middle "C" then ending on a higher "C", equaling 15 notes total. Actually, the lowest string IS Middle "C" on a piano. Note the blue felt in the "O" hole.
After a rough "Spanish" translation on HOW it's tuned (I am studying Spanish.. oddly enough), it turns out that this instrument was easier than I'd imagined. Beneath the strings.. and placed directly ON the wood (actually COVERING the "O" hole) are music sheets, 30 total, of all types of Mexican tunes such as Mexico Lindo (Pretty Mexico), and La Cucaracha (The Cockroach ..as shown below).
(Click picture
for sound.)
You will notice that the 5th string from the bottom aligns with the number 5 on the music sheet. This is to make the small circles "line up" correctly on the song.. and then (reading from left to right) you begin plucking the strings in order. The open circles represent "fast" notes (such as 1/4, 1/8 notes, etc.) and the closed circles represent the "slower" notes (such as Whole notes and 1/2 notes). This "loosely timed" circle method works well.. IF you know the song, otherwise it's pretty much a guessing game to know EXACTLY what the melody should be. The arrow pointing back (i.e., from right to left) indicates that you should begin back at the beginning.
Back of the Arpa Magica.
Tuning pegs up close.
Studs for individual strings. Actually, 2 string spaces are only one string.. much like the set up of my Bowed Psaltery. (See link above.)
And what instrument don't need instructions?
Note the tortoise shell pick.. also provided with the kit.
..or a warning on proper care and maintenance?
I came upon this Picture of a Japanese version called a "Zippy Zither".
This model only comes with 12 strings.
