any autoharp players?

Subject: any autoharp players?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 05:09 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From:
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 06:21 PM

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.

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Richard
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 07:11 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 07:38 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 08:00 PM

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!

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 08:56 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 98 - 09:03 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From:
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 12:29 PM

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

Subject: RE: any autoharp players?
From: Alice
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 02:44 PM

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