aeolian harp
Học thuậtThân thiện
An aeolian harp sits on a windowsill, its strings humming softly in the breeze.
Definition
Noun: * A musical instrument consisting of a box with strings stretched across it that produce musical tones when the wind blows over them. It is played by the wind, not by a person, and creates ethereal, harmonic sounds.
Usage
- The aeolian harp is typically placed in a window, on a porch, or in another location where it can catch the breeze.
- It is known for producing random, hauntingly beautiful chords and melodies that change with the wind's speed and direction.
Examples
- The poet sat on the cliff, listening to the melancholic music of the aeolian harp.
- We installed a small aeolian harp in the garden to enjoy its natural sounds.
- The sound of the aeolian harp added an eerie atmosphere to the empty house.
Advanced Usage
- As a metaphor: The term is often used in literature and poetry as a metaphor for inspiration (the wind) acting upon a passive, receptive mind (the harp).
- The artist felt like an aeolian harp, waiting for the winds of creativity to stir.
- In music: Some composers have tried to emulate or incorporate the sound of the aeolian harp into their compositions.
Variants and Related Words
- Aeolian (adjective): Pertaining to or produced by the wind. Often used in geology ("aeolian sand dunes") and music ("aeolian mode").
- Wind harp: A direct synonym for aeolian harp.
Synonyms
- Wind harp
- Aeolian lyre
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To be an aeolian harp: To be highly sensitive or receptive to external influences, especially artistic or emotional ones.
- As a writer, she described herself as an aeolian harp, attuned to the subtlest shifts in human emotion.
An aeolian harp sits on a windowsill, its strings humming softly in the breeze.
Noun
- a harp having strings tuned in unison; they sound when wind passes over them