Continuous News

Deer Lodge man creates timeless musical instruments

Posted: Dec 7, 2012 4:21 PM by Katy Harris KXLF News
Updated: Dec 7, 2012 5:54 PM

David Harrington of Deer Lodge builds musical instruments that originated centuries ago but have ageless value, such as harp and the dulcimer.

Harringon noted, "The idea that a harp is a fine piece of furniture and it sits in the corner...I can't buy that. I think a harp is for making music."

He added, "I played them here and there, and there was no way I could afford one so I thought, 'OK, I'll just build one."

Harrington fell in love with the harp in the 80's, and building them keeps his hands strong and his mind busy.

Both Harrington and the harp are of Irish descent, and on St. Patrick's Day you may catch him playing on a street corner in Butte.

He said, "I thought it was a good excuse to walk around Butte with a harp under your arm."

When Harrington mastered the art of building harps, he began turning to other musical instruments that are rarely seen or heard today, such as the lute and the dulcimer.

Harrington says the lute dates back to the Elizabethean era; the Dulcimer is popular in the Appalachian region of the U.S. but its style originates in Europe.

He says that the dulcimer is easy to play because they only come with about 3 to 4 strings, but Harrington has added a fifth string on his.

You can find Harrington's Harps at Cavanaugh's County Celtic store in uptown Butte.