Photo of Harp, 18th century - Public domain dedication

Cousineau improved the harp’s pedal mechanism which shortens the playing length of the strings and makes it possible to play chromatic scales. Cousineau was the harp teacher of the French queen Marie-Antoinette, who set the trend for this instrument. Indeed, from the late 18th century, the harp became one of the most popular instruments for women among the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie.