Originally Posted by
skysaw
Actually, the pedal harp harp can do fairly quick key changes. It's set up with seven notes per octave, and each note can be flat, natural, or sharp. The default tuning (pedals up) is Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb.
With all pedals in the middle position: C, D, E, F, G, A, B
With all pedals down: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#
It only takes a second to change a pedal.
You can tune the harp to play some chords by using enharmonic tunings. For example, F# is enharmonically the same as Gb. This is useful for glissandos (sweeping upward or downward across the strings.)
You can tune to a B7 chord like this: Cb, D#, Eb, F#, Gb, A, B
If you're playing impressionistic music, you might end up tuned to a whole tone scale: C, D, E, F#, Gb, Ab, Bb, for example.