Tom's Clarsach

Tom's grandfather, John Morgan, of Shenfield, Essex, has been building clarsachs (Celtic style small harps, without pedals but often with blade or lever type semitone systems) for over 25 years now.

This is the first 25-string harp he built; a manageable size for a small boy, it now serves Tom as a highly portable knee-harp. He often plays it when taking part in street theatre entertainments, including several performances at the Millennium Dome. He also used it on occasion when playing with the rock band Tearso.

The harp is strung with gut, and decorated on the soundboard with pokerwork, and on the forepillar with carving and a silver-set citrine stone .

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