Click Here to view the tutorial and pictures ...
If you're considering converting your Oscar Schmidt Autoharp's chordbar setup and want to view the procedure step-by-step ... or if you want to apply a diatonic tuning to your autoharp ... or if you're just curious and want to see the work Alan did on his Oscar Schmidt 110-21 Ltd. Edition Autoharp ... it's all here.
Hear Alan playing his converted Oscar Schmidt Autoharp :
VHS : Learn to Play Autoharp (VHS Tape) by John Sebastian John Sebastian provides a step-by-step learning guide to one of our most beautiful (and easiest) traditional instruments. He teaches the basicsÑhow to hold the autoharp, elementary chord theory, tuning up, accompaniments to your favorite songsÑthen uses several melodies and instrumentals to demonstrate the fingerpicking techniques used by the great traditional players.
Autoharp Method - In Four Easy Steps (Book & CD) by Evo Bluestein
Evo Bluestein's highly regarded autoharp method is finally available in this Mel Bay publication. Part One includes basic music theory and details Evo's easy 4-step method. Part Two includes rhythm strumming instructions, melody chord changes, and lyrics to 18 well-known American folk songs and southern fiddle tunes in the keys of G, F, C major, and A modal (keys that are provided on standard 12, 15 and 21 bar harps). Also included are instructions for transposing to other keys. All songs are included on a solo performance CD for the purpose of ear training and accompaniment.
Beginning Autoharp Instruction Book by Phipps
"If you only buy one Autoharp Instruction Book, this is the one you need to get. It is very easy to understand. You will be playing in minutes. I have several Autoharp Instruction Manuals, but not one can compete with this book. Everthing you need to know, is located in the book. It's a great book and well worth waiting for." ~~solarvisions from Chesterfield, Virginia USA
Mel Bay's Complete Method for Autoharp or Chromaharp by Meg Peterson
"I found Mel Bays Complete Method for Autoharp or Chromaharp to be an ideal book for learning to play the autoharp or chromaharp. It starts with the basics of how to read music and takes the reader through an understanding of the autoharp/chromaharp; how to tune it, how to develop various strumming styles and music styles and how to make adjustments to the instrument should the player desire to do so. This book contains well written text as well as photos, charts and illustrations. The photos and illustrations are clear and understandable, a definite help for those who learn better from seeing something done. The selection of music included offers a variety of styles and tastes and takes the learner beyond the beginner stage. Lessons also include some music theory. In my opinion, this is a must-have book for learning either the autoharp or the chromaharp." ~~A reader from Seoul, Korea
Amplifying Your Autoharp
Here's a really cool article by songwriter / multi-instrumentalist, Harvey Reid, explaining the ways to amplify an autoharp. Reid talks about microphones and pickups ... he explains how he has his autoharp set up ... and more -- all in a concise and short read!
Autoharp Radio -- Marc Gunn, Bard
Marc Gunn has put together a great autoharp site! Not only is he a great songwriter and musician ... and not only does his site offer a bunch of really cool instructional stuff about autoharps ... but he's got a great radio station where you can listen to the best autoharp music on the web!
TheBards.net/autoharp
Here's a really cool site ... all about autoharps, and a whole lot more. Check out the Autoharp Tips eZine, too.
Buck Lumbert | Lumbert Mountain Music
Buck built my custom chordbars for me, and what a wonderful artisan he is! Check out his autoharps, and if you need custom chordbars here's the place to get 'em!
Bob Lewis | The Music Analysis Guide
Basic chords ... modal scales with principle chord sections ... basic alternate chords ... here's a chart you'll want to keep handy.
Soundboard.net
I definitely want one of these! If you're looking for something truly different in an amplifier for your (with a pickup installed) autoharp, you have got to see this -- they are using a hardwood soundboard instead of a speaker! They claim that, sonically, it's the same as actually sitting in front of your own instrument and hearing yourself play. And, by the way, I really like that 7-Band Timbre Control ... like I said, this one's definitely on my Christmas List!
Tabledit
TablEdit is a program for creating, editing, printing and listening to tablature and sheet music (standard notation) for guitar and other fretted, stringed instruments. TablEdit has developed support for harmonica, mountain dulcimer, diatonic accordion, drums, violin, tin whistle, recorder, autoharp, pedal steel guitar, and banjo (even taking into consideration the special aspect of the fifth string) ... and can open/import ASCII, MIDI, ABC, Bucket O' Tab, Tabestry and Wayne Cripps files, as well as files created by earlier versions of TablEdit. Files can be saved in TablEdit format or exported to ASCII, ABC or MIDI formats.
The Walnut Valley Festival | Winfield, Kansas
If you're gonna be anywhere near Kansas this September, you won't want to miss this. They usually have around 13,000 folks show up ... all sorts of acoustic instruments ... and some big-name headliners too! All the info is here.
Click Here to view the tutorial and pictures ...
Everything from Maintaining to Building an Autoharp