| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | chordophone |
| Volume | Loud |
| Attack | Fast |
| Decay | Medium |
| Related instruments | |
| Harp | |
The arpa jarocha is a large wooden harp that is normally played while standing, although early examples from the 16th through the first three or four decades of the 19th centuries were smaller and were played while seated. It has a wooden frame, a resonator, a flat soundboard, 32-36 nylon strings (originally, gut strings), and does not have pedals. This harp is tuned diatonically over five octaves. The top of its soundboard sometimes arches outward due to the tension of the strings.[1] Unlike other Mexican harps, the arpa jarocha has its sound holes located on the back of the soundboard instead of on the front.