Help! New autoharpist

Subject: Help! New autoharpist
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 06:17 PM

I'm 61 and live in the Boston area. I've been playing guitar all my life, for the most part for my family, children and now my grand children. we now have a new grand daughter to sing to. My wife has been singing with me for years and now would like to play along. we are thinking of an autoharp. I know nothing about autoharps and would appreciate any ideas on what type, what brand, what chord bars and how much money a beginner should spend. any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Kevin

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: Little Robyn
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 06:37 PM

If your wife is going to play along with you, then she needs the same chords that you normally play. There's no point in having fancy minor chords if you never use them, but if you do use Amin, Dmin whatever, then look for an autoharp that has them. Without them she'll be stuck.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 06:42 PM

go to the 'search' box and enter autoharp. There have been many threads on them...read a bit, then come back to this thread and we'll try to answer specific concerns... (It would take a lot of typing to start from the beginning....but probably a few will try anyway..*smile*

Personally, I prefer the 21 bar type with movable chords bars to allow customization over time, but some will prefer learning on a fixed 12 or 15 bar model to reduce tinkering....and be sure they really want to play the thing. (And an electronic tuner is 'almost' a must.) (haven't bought one in years, so prices are not something I am up on.)

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:01 AM

Also plenty of teaching materials online such as this. Have fun

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-play-basic-melody-technique-autoharp-268277/

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 05:26 PM

The best thing to do is find some autoharpers and get advice from those that are doing it.

Go to the Autoharp Page and join the Cyberpluckers list. They share info on all things autoharp. Let them know where you're located and likely you can find other 'harpers nearby who can help you. There are also links to autoharp luthiers on the site.

If you're interested, you can check out my "Hymn of the Week" autoharp instruction videos on Youtube under user name Minstrelcraft.

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 09:59 PM

A big question is budget. If you are willing to pay more, there are many luthiers who make lovely 'harps. If you're looking at, say, an Oscar Schmidt, you may want to look at Ebay and see if you can find an older (say, 1980) model in good shape. These were some of the last mass produced in the US. Some of the overseas made ones were designed as much for shipping as sound.

Dan

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: beeliner
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 10:32 PM

I describe every autoharp that I sell on eBay EXTENSIVELY. Be wary of listings, regardless of how low the price is, that say something like, "Here's an autoharp I found in my late aunt's attic, I don't know much about it, it looks to be in good shape, it needs cleaning up. Sold as is."

Subject: RE: Help! New autoharpist
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 06:20 PM

Dear Friend,
Email me off the list and I will help you.
-Adam Miller
Folksinging.org
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