Harp questions

So, I understand that harp can glissando different scales by using the pedals... can harp glissando any possible scale you want, even modal or 'arabic' or made up scales? and how about quartertones, are those possible?

Don't know about quartertones, but normal harps work like this - they have 7 pedals, one for each C, D, E, F, G, A and B. Each pedal has three positions neutral, 1/2 tone up, and 1/2 tone down. If you can find a way to get your desired scale bu adjusting the 7 pedals, then yes, the harp can glissando it, otherwise it can't. For example. Suppose I want to gliss the chord B-D-E-A-flat. Then I would configure the pedals like this:

C - 1/2 tone down

D - neutral

E - 1/2 tone up

F - neutral

G - 1/2 tone up

A - 1/2 tone down

B - neutral

Hope this helped

Yes that helps, thanks

Suppose I want to gliss the chord B-D-E-A-flat. Then I would configure the pedals like this:

C - 1/2 tone down

D - neutral

E - 1/2 tone up

F - neutral

G - 1/2 tone up

A - 1/2 tone down

B - neutral

Hope this helped

Wait, I'm confused. Do you mean B-D-F-Ab?

Quarter tones are not playable on a harp unless it gets specifically tuned which is very rare. Basically, the "neutral" position is Cb-major. The pedals control every pedal group: e.g. put the Cb-pedal down one position makes all Cb strings to C strings, put it down to the second position makes all of these strings C# strings. Same goes for any other string. So by enharmonics etc. you can create quite a few scales. On a glissando, even repeating notes (eg E natural followed by Fb) is no problem and doesn't alter the impression of the glisses. However, you need to be aware, that chromatic passages are very tricky and mostly unplayable.

Robin

Nemrod: I see you say half step up and down and so on, but it's extremely helpful, to picture it the way the pedal work. Half step up is pedal DOWN and vice versa. Particularly good to know, when planning the chromatic passages, Robin says are unplayable. Having a good sense of what pedal is in what foot and what way each pedal and it's neighbour is supposed to move, can make you write extremely chromatic passages - though you have to bare in mind the time it takes to move a pedal.

MiggTorr: He spelled it B-D-F-Aflat - that's the same as Ab

I looked up some pictures and additional explanation on the interwebs and I get it now.

How fast would one be able to press down or release the pedals? I mean the action itself, not the time inbetween pressing down different pedals with one foot. Would it be comparable to pressing down the practice pedal from an upright or does it require more/less effort and time?

It takes a bit but not much longer as these pedals can be fixed in 2 positions, also, if the player has to do it fast it will be quite noisy so you might want to plan in extra time in soft compositions.

it's faster though to move the pedals UP - (tone down) - because you just have to notch it out. When moving the pedal down, you have to press then move it in.