What you will need:
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Tuning Key
A tuning key is an instrument that you use to turn the tuning peg. If your harp did not come with a tuning key, I would recommend buying a rubber one. These are easy to use and will not damage your harp if you accidentally drop the key on the harp. Generally one that fits most harps is the rubber tuning key. 
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Tuning Machine
You can download a tuner on any smartphone for free. These are useful for harp students however they are not very accurate. Below is a Korg Chromatic Tuner. This is a much more reliable and accurate way of tuning. 
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Contact Mic
This is the Korg digital tuner with a clip-on contact microphone. The microphone (wire) is useful for professionals, or if you need to tune in noisy places such as orchestral rehearsals or at concerts you may need a contact mic. These devices block out all external noise and allow you to tune anywhere with ease. How to store the contact Microphone: always detach from the tuner and loosely wind the lead. 
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Step by step
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1. Clip the contact mic to the back of the harp and plug it into your tuning machine. If you do not use this equipment place your phone on a music stand near to the harp or at the base of your harp.
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Types of harp
Lever Harp |
Pedal Harp |
Tune the harp with all of the levers disengaged (when the strings are relaxed, all of the levers should be either all up or down).
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Tune the harp with all of the pedals disengaged (when the strings are relaxed, all the pedals should be in the top slot).
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2. Starting in the middle of the harp, choose a string and put the tuning key on the tuning peg of the string you are about to tune.
Place your tuning machine on a music stand beside your harp. Use your right hand to move the tuning key and use your left to pluck the string.
Tune from the middle down to the base strings and then from the middle to the higher strings.
Set your tuning machine to 440hz. Use the manual to find how to set your machine.
Place your tuning machine on a music stand beside your harp. Use your right hand to move the tuning key and use your left to pluck the string.
Tune from the middle down to the base strings and then from the middle to the higher strings.
Set your tuning machine to 440hz. Use the manual to find how to set your machine.
3. Play the string loudly and clearly, let the string ring. Look at your tuning machine - you want the arrow to point to the middle and the light to go green.
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The b sign means that the string is too loose (flat), and the # sign means that the string is too tight (sharp). To tighten the string push your thumb towards the floor. To loosen the string turn the key the other way – thumb turning to point back at yourself. Always use very small movements to avoid snapping a string.
Harps are not tuned in C major. Lever harps are tuned in Eb major and Pedal harps are tuned in Cb major. Don't worry if you are not musical and this doesn't make sense!
On the tuner, in the top right corner, the name of the string should appear once you have played it. Check that the note on the tuner corresponds correctly to the note you are playing by using the tables below. Then fine tune the string by using the red and green lights.
On the tuner, in the top right corner, the name of the string should appear once you have played it. Check that the note on the tuner corresponds correctly to the note you are playing by using the tables below. Then fine tune the string by using the red and green lights.
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Lever Harp
String: C D E F G A B C On tuner: C D Eb orD# F G Ab or G# B C |
Pedal Harp
String: C D E F G A B C On tuner: Cb Db or C# Eb orD# Fb Gb or F# Ab or G# Bb or A# Cb |
If you are unsure it is always better to loosen the string first before tightening the string too much.
The b symbol means that the string is too flat - too loose. This means you need to turn the tuning key away from you.
The hashtag symbol means that the string is too sharp - too tight. This means you need to turn the tuning key towards you.
The b symbol means that the string is too flat - too loose. This means you need to turn the tuning key away from you.
The hashtag symbol means that the string is too sharp - too tight. This means you need to turn the tuning key towards you.
