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The AutoharpThe autoharp was invented around 1890, and by 1900 there were more autoharps in America than there were pianos. The Carter Family, Maybelle in particular, made it popular in the 30's, and it is now having about its fourth revival! |
 An Oscar Schmidt C21, which I now have set for the keys of A/E/B, with new chord bars |
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Below, see the chord bars with notches to let only some of the strings sound. I have two harps by Pete D'Aigle from Seattle, one in F/C and the other in G/D. Most harps are sold as fully chromatic - all the black and white notes. I have chosen to specialise and go diatonic. This means on each diatonic harp I can chuck out the notes I don't need, and retune to notes I do need - making them easier to find, and louder. The downside is I can't play "Victory Rag" or other chromatic tunes - tunes that need notes outside of the scale. I am happy with that compromise. | |
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Above, my
Desert Eagle, in G/D; below my first autoharp, an Ashbury |
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So how does it work? Lots of strings, and a set of 12-21 chord bars that, when pressed, stop some strings ringing. Result - one finger, one chord. You can only play the chords you install on the harp. See the fine tuners too. | ||
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