User manual

Harp pedaling
Harp pedaling is a broad term that covers the specic requirements for notating music for harps.
This primarily involves harp pedal diagrams, which are often necessary due to the way in which
modern concert harps change their tuning.
A passage with a full harp pedal diagram at the start and two subsequent partial pedal changes
Harps have seven strings in each octave, one for each diatonic pitch C-B, unlike pianos, which
have twelve keys in each octave, one for each half-step (semitone) degree between C-B.
Therefore, harps have a mechanical action to change their tuning that includes seven pedals,
with each pedal controlling the pitch of the corresponding note in all octaves. These pedals are
organized into two groups, one for each foot: three pedals for the left foot and four pedals for
the right foot.
Each harp pedal has three possible positions:
1. Flat or highest position: lowers the pitch of the corresponding note by a half-step
2. Natural or middle position
3. Sharp or lowest position: raises the pitch of the corresponding note by a half-step
NOTE
The lowest two harp strings, C and D, are not affected by the C and D pedal positions.
There are different ways to notate the pedal settings required for a piece of music or a passage
within a piece. In Dorico Elements, you can show harp pedaling in the following ways:
Diagram
Indicates the physical positions of the seven pedals. The vertical line represents the
split between left-foot and right-foot pedals and the horizontal line represents the
natural position.
●
Pedals below the horizontal line indicate sharpened notes.
●
Pedals above the horizontal line indicate attened notes.
794
Dorico Elements 3.5.12