The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #46822 Message #695640
Posted By: GUEST,jonesey
22-Apr-02 - 12:36 PM
Thread Name: Help: Getting used to my autoharp
Subject: RE: Help: Getting used to my autoharp
Hi bbc at work, Just started playing autoharp myself after years on the guitar, mando, banjo and bass. What I did was mount Schaller straplocks and the widest strap I could find. As I play professionally it had to be able to be played standing up. I've an old 21 button O.S. and wish I'd started years ago. Putting straps on it alleviated having to 'hold' the instrument and I could use the 'cross arm' style ala Bryan Bowers. The trick is to get the autoharp in the proper position in reference to your arm length. The only problem I have is that I mounted the left side in slightly the wrong place as the strap lock pokes into my forearm, but it's a small price when I think of the comfort the wide guitar strap affords. I can't see the chord bars real well while playing, but with more and more practice the touch is beginning to come. Still hit that odd 'clunker' now and then, though. lol My next venture is going to be to eliminate all those chords I'll never use(Ab, Bb, Eb, etc.)and replace them with functional relative minors and diminished chords!! Wish me luck! Hope this helps.