An Aeolian Harp in the Research Lab

The harp above was made of beautifully figured American Black Walnut with a Basswood soundboard.  This harp was specifically commissioned by Nihon University in Tokyo, Japan for their Aerodynamics department.  Professor of Aerodynamics Hajime Fujita and his students are currently putting this harp through wind tunnel tests there at the university to learn what they can about the harp and how it does what it does.

"What" it does?

There has been a mystery about these harps that has haunted scholars for centuries.  The technical definition of an "Aeolian" harp is:

"Any wind harp that has strings (however many) of the same vibrating length, different diameters, but all tuned in unison."  That is to say that all of the strings are tuned to the same note.  Now, how can an instrument with 16 strings all tuned to the same note produce all of the beautiful, haunting harmonies that one hears from an Aeolian harp?

Well, - - - so far, nobody knows.

Sometime in the 1950's, physicists came up with what they called the "Aeolian Theory", that has to do with the laminar air flow over a cylindrical object (like a string) creating "eddies" in the flow that effect the airflow over the next string, compounding, and then proceeding to the next string, and compounding again, and again, and so forth.  But this theory has never been proven under laboratory conditions, and so, remains just a theory.

Personally, I don't know how it does what it does.  I just know that the sound is one of the most beautiful, relaxing sounds I have ever experienced.  Whether the mystery is ever solved or not, I will continue to produce these beautiful instruments because they are my passion.  I love these harps, and I love building them.  And I believe this shows in every harp that leaves my shop.

So best of luck to Professor Fujita and his students at Nihon University.  I've learned that their thesis is due near the end of February in 2006, and I'm hoping to hear what their conclusions are.  Any information I receive from them will certainly be posted here on my Aeolian harp site, with their permission, of course.