Autoharp!

Hello, Millions.

You may not have seen me around before, I’m new. Hi!

I’m posting because I’ve recently become enamoured of my new instrument, a 21 chord autoharp. I already play the piano and guitar, a little, and have been having enormous fun strumming all my favourite songs.

But I’ve worked my way through my piles of sheet music and guitar tab, and am looking for something new and different to play. I’ve got quite an eclectic collection of music, and some of what I’ve already played includes sixties stuff, (the earlier Beatles and the Simon and Garfunkel were best) show tunes, Leonard Cohen, even some of the wimpier jazz standards… Ben Folds Five was less successful, in fact any of the really pianistic piano music I couldn’t really get around.

I’ve been teaching myself a few different strummy things to do with the 'harp, some of which have sounded surprisingly good. And just last night, I was watching David Guest’s fab mockumentary, “A Mighty Wind,” and played along with Mitch and Mickey, aww!

So, recommend me some tunes! Folky, unfolky - I like to mix it up.

I saw “autoharp” and thought to myself: “Self, what would you want with a woman that automatically nags you? Why have something that harps at the drop of a hat? You can get that anyways? What’s this guy selling? Is he selling any?”
Um…as for what you’re actually posting…
I suggest “More Than a Feeling” by Boston.

I wanna hear that on a harp. That could be fun.

I really have nothing to contribute, other than that I am mad with jealousy of your autoharp.

Oh, wait, maybe I do have something contribute. You might want to check out Dover Publications. Their books are fairly inexpensive, and have a ton of arrangements for piano. My favorite is a book of old English folk songs. Most of them are in 6/8 which has long been my bugabear when it comes to music, so it’s a great opportunity to practice that. My favorite songs are “Wraggle Taggle Gipsies” and “Barbara Ellen.” Anyway, if you like drinking songs or wildly depressing ballads, you might want to check it out.

PS Araminty? Isn’t that from The Borrowers? I know Arrietty is, but hmmm.

I have a general autoharp question: How do you change old, rusty strings on it? Or do you? My mom has an older autoharp she would love to sell. It’s in good shape, but let’s just say that if these strings were on a guitar, they would have been changed many years ago.

I would suggest some early, classical Jazz numbers.
Plenty of scores available, & they offer a broad variety of music.
Cool Jazz is also a possibility.

Welcome! Glad to see you posting.

I know nothing about music or musical instruments so have nothing of value to add to the discussion.

(Please no warnings for hijacking - just wanted to say hi to the Aussie)

I used to play the Autoharp when I was a little kid, mainly because it was so easy even the laziest musician could learn it.

Did you know that Autoharp is a registered trademark? The generic term is chorded zither.

Yup. You change 'em. Here’s a .pdf about it.

Sorry I’m coming late to this thread. From my username, you can pretty much guess than I’m another A’harper.

For anyone who has progressed beyond the beginning “how to play” stage, I highly recommend the collections "Winning Ways on the Autoharp (vols 1 and 2) from i.a.d. publications. A variety of the top autoharpists from the mid-80’s each contributed a piece illustrative of their style, coupled with their own comments/notes on how they approach it. The pieces range from simple to quite challenging, so these books can provide you with material for a long time as you gain proficiency with your new instrument.

I also like “Jigs and Reels for the Autoharp” by Ivan Stiles, also from i.a.d. publications.

Finally, let me point you to the magazine, Autoharper Quarterly.