I’m thinking of getting one, does anyone have any advice? What’s a good basic model? How easy is it to learn? Thanks
I’ve personally never played one but, from what I’ve heard, make sure you get the three speed automatic, not the four speed which has reliability issues.
Jef
Three-speed automatic more reliable than a four speed automatic? Sounds like a tranny out of a Chevy truck 
Check out http://www.autoharp.org/
A band member who plays autoharp says it’s full of very good information. They also have an Email Listserve you can subscribe to.
I didn’t know the autoharp was a real instrument! I remember in grade school the music teachers would occasionally drag them out and we would all learn a few more songs on them…but I have never seen one played in the real world.
Come to think of it…I also learned to square dance in grade school but have never seen it anywhere else either…is there a pattern here???
On 2002-03-06 00:45, John Allison wrote:
I didn’t know the autoharp was a real instrument! I remember in grade school the music teachers would occasionally drag them out and we would all learn a few more songs on them…but I have never seen one played in the real world.Come to think of it…I also learned to square dance in grade school but have never seen it anywhere else either…is there a pattern here???
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Anyone remember Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies ?..There was one episode That I remember. In that one she played the autoharp
Here on Whidbey ,Square Dancing is still pretty much alive, All over the Northwest in fact.
Dan
Actually, if you want to hear some fine autoharp playing, get a recording by Mike Seeger (Pete’s younger brother). It’s a very pretty-sounding instrument and easy to play. I’ve got one lying around and have occasionally thought that it could be nice addition to a session, especially on those odd days when no guitarist shows up.
Your grade school teacher probably just played chords as accompaniment. I was amazed at the the melodies and different tones a good player can get out of the instrument. There are week long workshops in Mountain View, AR for autoharp every year - you’ll find more info at the website I posted above.
Telling my bandmate that the autoharp isn’t a real instrument would be like saying the whistle isn’t a real instrument! Handmade 'harps are even more expensive than handmade whistles (and she collects both).
Autoharps come in various amounts of chords. Just make sure that the one you order has all the chords you might need.