The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #31762   Message #414221
Posted By: Bluesman and kde
09-Mar-01 - 04:19 PM
Thread Name: Autoharp Restringing
Subject: RE: AUTOHARP RESTRINGING
Hey, you guys are so great in problem solving. I've decided that I will string it myself with the info y'all sent. Now for the $60+ that the strings cost!!!! LOL

Susan, Glad you asked how and what I play. I have two autoharps. The first one is one that my grandmother bought new around 100 years ago. It is a 5-bar, has a b-flat chord so you can also play in the key of F. My dad gave it to me when I was 15 or so years old. It is not in the best condition, but, due to the age, a local Martin dealer told me that if I tried to restring it that it may come apart due to the type of glue used in the early ones. My other harp is a 15-bar that I bought for $35 around 25 years ago. It is in perfect shape except for the strings. I do have an autoharp pickup on it and love the sounds you can get, especially when run through some effects. I was learning Travis and Atkins fingerpicking on the guitar when my dad gave me the harp. 15 minutes after I tuned it, I could play Wildwood Flower. I use a plastic thumbpick and plastic fingerpicks on my index and middle fingers. I play it in the form of Maybelle Carter. By playing with two fingers, I can get harmonies. Plus the thumb plays the bass notes, which I alternate the way that Merle Travis did on guitar. I'm sure all you players probably know that when playing this way, you sometimes have to use a chord like F or G, even when you're playing in the key of C to get the notes you need to play the song. I haven't played a lot in recent years but am ready to start back. By the way, I haven't tried blues on the harp yet, but will when I get the strings on. Anyone that is interested in writing to me about autoharp can do it here or email me at bluesman4123@yahoo.com By the way, thanks, Spaw, the info was fantastic....Jim