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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| AutoHarp - Other Instruments - Other Instruments - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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mike byers Approved
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I attended a Dwight Diller weekend camp last December and saw and heard my first autoharp. I was fascinated with the sound. I wound up buying 5 of them off of ebay and have have 3 working fairly well (new felt, strings and tuning). Being a clawhammer banjo player, I liked the rhythm play on the harp. It blends in quite well with gospel bluegrass and old time gospel. Any other autoharpists out there to compare styles and music. "One Day at a time" really sound great in 3/4 time on the harp. Mike
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Mike- I, too, have always liked the sound of the autoharp. It was one of the first instruments that I remember playing. The Kindergarten and the first 3 grades of elementary school in the town I grew up in had music in the class rooms, and we played drums, autoharps (zithers, as they were also called), triangles and other rythmn instuments and sang folk songs (they were even included in our textbooks). I remember songs like Sweet Betsy From Pike, Cielito Lindo (spelling?), Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch and others I can't recall (after all, that was over 50 years ago!) The Dillards have a bit on one of their albums about the autoharp and the bluegrass image that is short, but kind of funny. Of course, to really hear the Autoharp in the old-time context, you must hear Mother May Belle play Wildwood Flower [/].  keep on pickin'brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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mike byers Approved
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I am playing 2 songs on the auto harp ( One Day at a time & What a Friend we have in Jesus) along with 2 clawhammer numbers (I'll Fly Away & Will the Circle.....) this Sunday at a church celebration. This will be my first "public appearance". I'm a little nervous, but my point is that the harp, fiddle and guitar sound great together. I am playing with 2 fiddlers, a guitar and 2 vocalists. Both the banjo and harp blend in well with the other instruments and vocalists. It really adds an interesting "old time" sound to the music. I wish I could play both at the same time, but ????? Mike
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Homer Approved 
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I remember seeing Brian Bowers many years ago. He was one guy who could really play the autoharp. I wonder where he is these days? Also, Brian Good from the Good Bros. is another fine autoharpist. Homer.
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mike byers Approved
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Just a follow up on my "first" live performance. I made it through and the people loved the banjo and autoharp. First time for both in the sanctuary. Only lost my finger pick once on the harp (but the rythum guitar pulled me through till I could recoup.)(Don't have to worry about that on the banjo since I play clawhammer.) A lot of the people never saw an autoharp before. They really liked the sound. I'll know for sure if they liked the music if they invite us back?? Mike
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MonkeyToes Approved 
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I just got one off of ebay for my wife for Christmas. I was trying to teach her a little guitar and she said the only stringed instrument she wanted to play was the autoharp. She had seen June Carter Cash play one one night and was enthralled. I haven't recieved it yet, but I'm very excited about it. Now we can get a family jam started. Could anyone recomend a good instruction books for the autoharp?
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mike byers Approved
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My advice would be to try to find a local teacher as my first choice. A live instructor can correct errors before they become a habit. My second choice would be a video. At least a video can demonstrate the proper techniques. Books are great to read, but can cause servere frustration and an ultimate desire to quit the instrument. Mike
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Philj200 Approved 
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I had the notion to get an autoharp since Washington Square in the 60's. When I read this tread and learned that e-bay was a source of affordable instruments...I bid and won a 15-cord autoharp. It arrived the other day in great condition. Original cardboard case, tuning wrench and paper work. Mine (according to dates on the paperwork was made in the late 60's to early 70's. Tried to tune to the piano that no one plays. Piano was out of tune. My Koss tuner (set to chromatic mode) only works with pick-up equipped instruments. That was an easy hurdle. I used a telephone pick-up, the kind with a suction cup. I had to splice in an RCA connector (standard mic connector). Worked fine. Sounds great now that it's tuned well. I suspect the strings are the original. BTW: that tuner/pick-up set up works great on any instrument including acoustic guitars and banjos. I tried it.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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Like the ukulele, the autoharp is a great beginners' introduction to the world of string instruments. Just "mash the button and strum" without fretting (in both senses of the word). The autoharp was my first stringed instrument.Unlike guitars, vintage autoharps do not age well, and while they may be cheap to buy, the amount of work and expense they need to bring old instruments back into playing condition may not be worth the trouble. Just a set of replacement strings can cost you $40-$50, not to mention 3-4 hours of work replacing them! A new autoharp can cost as little as $150. A good-sounding solid-spruce top (Oscar Schmidt OS73) autoharp costs about $300. After playing organ and electronic keyboards by ear for 20 years, in 1993, after attending a concert, I saw some autoharps at the Old Town School of Folk Music's music store. I decided to buy an autoharp a few months later, but I had some initial trouble finding a music store that carried these instruments. I had to drive 15 miles away to a small suburban music store that specialized in band and orchestra instruments, that carried Chromaharps, a brand of autoharp made in Korea. They had a 15 chord instrument in stock, but after a week, I returned it and exchanged it for a 21-chord version. I like the 21-chord autoharps much better, not only because of the wider chord selection, but because the three rows of chord buttons follow a consistent pattern when transposing to a different key. The I, IV, and V chords are lined up in the same row, and if you play a 7th chord for the V, the three chords form a "V" shape. After playing the autoharp for a few days, I got used to the fingering of the chord bars and using a thumbpick, and I was able to use the same chord progressions that I had used on keyboards. You can buy a new Chromaharp for as low as $150. I recommend the 21-chord models because they are more versatile and easier to play in different keys than the 15-chord instruments. In 1999, I traded in the Chromaharp and bought an Oscar Schmidt OS73C, a 21-chord autoharp with a solid spruce top and a vintage black 1930's style body. The OS73 is a very good-sounding instrument and is moderately priced as low as $280. I still play this instrument, and I've made some recordings with it as a member of Loose Change & Friends and the Earth Tones.  In June 2004, I bought a 21-chord McSpadden Evoharp, designed by folk singer Evo Bluestein. Among custom-made autoharps, this instrument is more affordable (about $900 or less) than some of the other luthier-made instruments ($1500 to $2000). This is my main autoharp.  Here is "Wildwood Flower" played by me on the instrument with Loose Change and Friends: http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=2662&mode=song_hifi http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=2662&mode=song_lofi Last edited on Mon Nov 7th, 2005 05:14 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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theBlackman Approved 
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I used to play Autoharp, "Stoneman" style (pickin and frailing), a few years ago. I sold the harp in the 80's. About 2 years ago I picked up a 1948 Oscar Schmidt (12 bar) with the original case and song/tutorial book(s) for $25.00. I'm getting back into it. Great for Bluegrass and Gospel songs. If y'all ain't heared it yit, try this http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=71&song_id=207&mode=song_hifi Best Autoharp I've heard for many years. Last edited on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 03:38 am by theBlackman ____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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Philj200 Approved
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Blackman...WOW!
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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That original autoharp tune, Lady of Setliffe Manor http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=71&song_id=207&mode=song_hifi was played by Marc Gunn, of Austin, Texas. Great stuff! Marc Gunn was the featured ezFolk.com Artist of the Week during December 27, 2004. http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/71/music.php Last edited on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 08:10 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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theBlackman Approved
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That trick with the Phone suctioncup mike is great. I've used it for years. There is a special mike sold for that use on acoustic guitars. I got mine from a instrument store, as I recall it cost about $20.00 at the time. I have a "contact" mike that was originally made for attachment to a upright base that I use on the autoharp. You are correct Will the link is to Marc's rendition. On my computer, the credits roll with the songplay. So, I thought it would for everyone. Apparently not. Last edited on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 08:11 pm by theBlackman ____________________ Let each day start as a blank page for life to write upon. http://ezfolk.com/audio/dusty http://cdbaby.com/all/theblackman http://youtube.com/DustinFLeer |
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Will Approved
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Hi, Dusty: I know a fellow who plays at the local acoustic jam who has a black vintage Oscar Schmidt 12-chord autoharp similar to yours. He usually plays a vintage Martin guitar, but he always brings that autoharp along with him to play on a few songs. He and I are usually the only people at the jam who play autoharp; ironically, we've never both played autoharp on the same song. (I usually bring a 6-string and/or 12-string guitar and an autoharp with me to the jam.) To amplify my autoharp, I use Oscar Schmidt's magnetic pickup which fits underneath the strings, which I keep permanently installed because I play it so often at concerts. In my experience, standard stage microphones don't pick-up the autoharp very well (especially lacking in the bass frequencies), because the "sweet spot" over the strings is right where your picking hand normally goes. Richard's recently posted Christmas songs may inspire me to record and post some of my own. I played autoharp accompaniment for a Christmas caroling group at my work place since 1998, but I switched over to guitar last year. Last edited on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 08:49 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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micalee Approved 
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Hi Will, I see that you really know a bit about autoharps and I was curious to know if you know the distinction between series numbers? I am thinking about buying my first autoharp - it was only recently that I realized some of my favorite songs by Joni Mitchell were played on autoharp. I have been playing guitar now for 17 years, but have never played an autoharp. Any first time suggestions about things to look out for? Special affordable models ect?
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Will Approved
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Hi, Micalee: It took me 11 years to go from autoharp (my first string instrument) to guitar. Since you already know chord progressions from playing guitar for 17 years, I would recommend that you look for a 21-chord autoharp, rather than a 15-chord. The price difference between the two types is negligible ($30), but a 15-chord is more difficult to transpose between keys, and you will not be able to play songs and tunes in as many keys. The autoharp is a chromatic 36-string zither which uses chord bars to dampen the strings that do not belong in a particular chord, so that you can strum a perfect chord in up to three octaves. A 21-chord autoharp typically has 8 major chords (Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C, G, D, A), 5 minor chords (Cm, Gm, Dm, Am, Em), and eight 7th chords (Bb7, F7, C7, G7, D7, A7, E7, B7), arranged in 3 separate rows. The I-IV-V pattern is arranged in a single row, or, if you play a 7th V chord, the chord buttons form a triangle pattern. If you play only major chords, you can play songs in about 7 different keys. If you use minor chords, you're limited to about 5 different keys. The 15-chord autoharp has fewer chords arranged in two rows, and it is much more awkward to play in certain keys because the row/triangle pattern is not symmetrical. If you're used to playing lots of chords on the guitar, a 15-chord autoharp will seem severely limiting. There are basically 2 different vendors of factory-made autoharps; Oscar Schmidt, and Rhythm Band. Rhythm Band instruments are known as "Chromaharps" selling for about $150-$200 for a 21-chord instrument; these instruments typically have laminated maple tops. Oscar Schmidt autoharps generally cost more ($250 to $600), and most models have a different design, known as the "B" model, where the strings are individually anchored across metal posts to tuning pegs. The older "A" model autoharps have a metal bridge under the strings; all Chromaharps are model "A" instruments. Oscar Schmidt makes a model "A" 21-chord autoharp called the OS-73C, which has a solid spruce top, and a vintage "1930's-retro" black body; this is the model of autoharp that I upgraded to from a Chromaharp. The solid spruce top, A-model design, crisp tone, and a decent price of $280 make the OS-73C an excellent choice for an instrument, and it's the model I would recommend to you (shown in photo of my previous post). There is a Homespun Video DVD available for beginning autoharp, made in 1987, hosted by John Sebastian. Autoharp king Bryan Bowers hosts another Homespun Video DVD for intermediate players and he shows you how to pick melodies out of the chords. Autoharp strings are far too thick and stiff to be played with a guitar flatpick; the autoharp is typically played with a thumb pick and 2 or more finger picks, but I never liked finger picks, and I just use the thumbpick. There seems to be an unquestioned assumption that a thumbpick can only be used for downstrokes, but if the thumbpick is rounded off and beveled with a file or sandpaper, it can be played for upstrokes as well. That's how I play the instrument. Finding an autoharp at a local music store may prove to be a challenge; at least it was for me in Chicago. There is a Lark In The Morning music store in San Francisco; they carry a $300 solid spruce top autoharp model that is made by the same Korean manufacturer of Chromaharp (Samick). They also carry Chromaharp and Oscar Schmidt autoharps. I visited San Francisco last year, but I didn't get to visit the Lark In The Morning store, but I've mail-ordered instuments from them before. http://www.larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_ZIT014_A_21+bar+Chord+Harp+with+Case%21_E_  Good luck with your search. Last edited on Tue Dec 6th, 2005 06:40 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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micalee Approved
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Will, Thanks SO much for that amazing detailed response. I feel much more confident going out and looking for an autoharp! And excited. I don't mind being a bit limited chord-wise, for the new sound/experience. New instruments can be inspiring. I'm looking forward to adding one to my family of instruments. Many thanks to you for your help! Mica Lee
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PJ Approved
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Not all autoharps are chromatic. If you attend an autoharp gathering, you'll find players divided into those who prefer chromatic 'harps and those who like diatonic 'harps. Some like both. I have two diatonic autoharps, one is made by Pete d'Aigle (google d'Aigle autoharps if you're curious), and the other is an Oscar Schmidt with custom d'Aigle chord bars and set up. My 'harps each play in two keys. One is set up to play in A and D, while the other one plays in G and C. The advantage of a diatonic is that it has a much fuller sound because not so many strings need to be muted, and it's easier to play melody because many of the strings are doubled. The main disadvamtage is that you get to carry a truck load of autoharps (and tune them) if you play in many keys. Also, if you like fuller chords, like jazz chords, you won't want a diatonic. As for arrangement of the chord bars - it is not standardised, and most folks set up the bars themselves in the circle of fifths. That includes the 12 and 15 bar 'harps. If you buy an Oscar Schmidt or a Chroma harp, expect to have to either set it up so it plays well or send it to someone who can do it for you. None of them are set up well just out of the box. The action will be too high causing clacking when you change chords, and possibly the keys will wobble sometimes not accurately giving the correct chord. You need to learn to felt the bars if you're going to switch them around, and you will probably want to so that the layout makes sense. I find fewer chord bars are less confusing, but I play diatonic 'harps. I have a friend who plays very well, and each of his zillion 'harps has three chord bars! He mostly plays melody in an old timey style. They serve his purpose well, but he needs a camel to carry them all. If you're thinking of getting a 'harp, consider the type of music you will play. Will you be playing melody, or will you be strictly back-up? Good luck! PJ
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Philj200 Approved
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Broke a string on my autoharp yesterday...during a recording session! First time I ever boke an autoharp string... Went to StewMac to see if they had strings in the catalog. They did but the price almost put me in coronary arrest. I think it's time to replace all the strings on my 15-chord Schmidt. Ayone know of a reasonable source?
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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