# Tuning an Aeolean Harp

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuning-an-aeolean-harp/491991>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 4, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuning-an-aeolean-harp/491991 "2009-04-04T19:52:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuning-an-aeolean-harp/491991/1 "2009-04-04T19:52:12Z")

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I am building my first Aeolean Harp as a gift. I know for best results, the strings should be tuned based on the natural frequency of the soundbox so I am planning on tuning 4 violin catgut strings to the natural frequency and a second set of 4 tuned to the perfect fifth to pick up the harmonics (IIRC the fifth the next harmonic after the octave)

But how do I find the natural note of the soundbox and since it may be something like C#, how do I tune the strings. I’m not above spending a few bucks on equipment since (if succesful) I’m may make a few more as gifts this year, but if you start of, “In our quarter-million acoustical research lab . . .” I probably can’t afford that.

Another question for you acoustical engineers: will the natural frequency of the soundbox change depending on the dampening? For example, will the C# box hanging free change if it is sitting on a table? What if it is firmly attached to a window frame?