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any autoharp players?

20 Mar 98 - 05:09 PM (#24203)
Subject: any autoharp players?
From: Alice

In a thread called "Lyr Go My Son", Lilly asked about any advice on how to play the autoharp beyond just strumming chords. Any autoharp players out there? Alice in Montana


20 Mar 98 - 06:21 PM (#24213)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Nathan (nsarvis@iglobal.net)

There are lots of us on the Cyberpluckers e-mail list. Visit the autoharp page at http://www.fmp.com/harppage/ for how to join.


20 Mar 98 - 07:11 PM (#24217)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Richard

Yep!

Another one up here in British Columbia. And we host house concerts and just had Bryan Bowers here a month ago.

If you like getting tons of e-mail subscribe to Cyberpluckers.Too much for me.

Richard


20 Mar 98 - 07:38 PM (#24222)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice

OK, so what advice do you have in learning how to play beyond just strumming chords? I bought felt and chord bars and 'remodeled' my autoharp so I could play a couple of chords that weren't standard. I still haven't had much time to spend on practicing it. alice


20 Mar 98 - 08:00 PM (#24225)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Bill D

Alice...depends on what you want to play...I play some fast, old-timey tunes, and I like the ability to strum both ways (back & forth) with my middle finger..(I dont use picks on all fingers like Brian Bowers). So...my trick is to use a Mizrab..(Sitar plectrum) which is a 'V' shaped wire pick that doesn't catch on the strings.I have also made a brass pick with the same general design. I play then, a style sort of between Maybelle Carter and Kilby Snow. Playing tunes then is just a matter of getting used to how far up to 'reach' with my middle finger. (My wife plays the zither--which is MUCH trickier, since she has to hit each note precisely!)

You will find a LOT of people playing in variations of Brain Bowers stlye, with 5 picks...and that is fine, but it is a lot more 'complex' to get good at than what I do...more detailed questions as you experiment will allow more detailed answers... and the Cyberpluckers have MANY neat tricks, too! Good Luck!


20 Mar 98 - 08:56 PM (#24227)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice

Thanks. I had never heard of a 'Mizrab' type of pick before.


20 Mar 98 - 09:03 PM (#24228)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice

I found Mizrab picks at the same place I bought my harmonium! Just never read all the sitar information before.
http://www.mid-east.com/meprice.html#ii


21 Mar 98 - 12:29 PM (#24257)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From:

Alice

See if you can get a copy of Bryan Bowers video tape from Homespun Tapes. It's about $50, 80 min long. It will help in taking you beyond the basic strum. I've seen it on the net, I think at Elderly Msuic? It should come up with a search under autoharp.

Richard


21 Mar 98 - 02:44 PM (#24273)
Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice

Thanks. I looked it up in the Andy's Front Hall catalog. They have the video for $39.95. alice