• From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Topic: Autoharp

About a year ago I questioned James McCormick about his chosen instrument, the autoharp, as I was unsure as to what one was. I was intrigued and interested when he had explained and so I then trawled round all the local music stores only to find that no one had one.

Now once a week I travel down to the Algarve to work and I always visit a friend of mine, Howard Parkin, for lunch and a chinwag. Howard is not only a professional musicial but he also runs a music school and store. Well, I was there today and what did I see on his shelf?....... You've got it, second hand German Autoharp.

So I have had a very pleasant time playing one today and I am hoping it does not get sold for a while so I can give it a further try out. Mind you at €75 I might be tempted to put my hand in my pocket but the thought of tuning all those strings would give me nightmares. That being said I love the sound of it and eagerly await each of James's recordings.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: Autoharp

Hi Roger - Hope that it works out for you to get the instrument.  You'll find that it is very fun to play and sing along with.  Having 36 strings spanning 3 1/2 octaves means that tuning can be time-consuming.

Guitarists are used to working with strings in a 2 1/2 inch space (from lowest to highest string).  Autoharps have about 9 1/2 inches across from lowest to highest strings . . . You can't articulate notes quite like with a guitar (muting, bending, melodic runs, etc.) but it is a great way to churn out rhythmic chords.

Wish I could afford to get one for you and then deliver it personally!  James

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Autoharp

I've got one in the basement just getting dusty.  Just haven't been able to give it the attention it deserves.  An awful pretty instrument in the hands of someone who knows what to do with it.

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Autoharp

send it to roger

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: Autoharp

Thanks Russell, that is a brilliant suggestion wink

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: Autoharp

Zurf, I've got an old acoustic I can send to you if you send the autoharp on to Roger . . . decent instrument that plays well and sounds dandy.  Would be a great campfire guitar.  Has a nice gig bag.  James

Anybody got a ukulele that is gathering dust?

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website