Autoharp

Greetings omIni - I am an autoharpist!  It is a wonderful instrument which (unfortunately) is too often played very poorly.  Most folks think it can only be lap- strummed by sweet little old ladies . . . but it is actually a powerful and expressive instrument - with 36 strings spanning 3 1/2 octaves there is vast potential for sonic bliss.

Playing autoharp is alot like playing chess - the basic moves are real easy . . . it is how you put the moves together that really counts.  I have been playing for three or four years now - it is a blast and I am constantly discovering new sounds and techniques to coax more nuance from the instrument.

It can churn out monster chord changes with wicked speed and precision or whisper sweet seduction like a sex godess.  I love to sing - and I especially love to sing and play my autoharp. 

Musically, I'm omnivorous - - - anything from Gregorian Chant to Old Timey to Classical to Rock & Roll to Tin Pan Alley to Blues to Broadway to Top40 to Southern Harmony to Punk to Bluegrass you name it . . . genre labels are tedious - if I hear something I like I really don't care what label applies.

Glad to find another 'harpist on Chordie.  It is a tremendous resource.  The transposing tool is especially useful for moving a song into a harp-friendly key - and the vast pool of tunes available is great fun.

So - what do play - chromatic or diatonic - 21 or 15 chord - fingers or fingerpicks - ???  Hope to see other autoharpists join this discussion.

Yes, Upyerkilt, this autoharp thread should actually be under 'Other Stringed Instruments'.  Can the thread be moved by a moderator, or should it just be restarted in its proper place?

By the way, I checked out your 'Little Black Flea' song on youtube - - you've inspired me . . . now I want to borrow a digital camera and post some songs of my own.