I don't know if you can help me or not. I want to learn the Autoharp but am not having any luck finding a teacher in my area online. Do you know someone who teaches in my area? I have self-taught myself on other instruments, but when you have a teacher that can show you what to do, it just makes it so much better to start off right. Can you self-teach yourself on an autoharp and get the skills you need without being around others who play? Is there a group near me?

Hey Jan, thanks for writing.

For teachers, you can check out the Autoharp Teacher's List. I don't think there is anyone who teaches down in your area, but you can also join the cyberpluckers and ask around there.

Can you learn by yourself? You betcha! I did. I didn't have the net to learn from either. I didn't even know what other autoharp players sounded like. So definitely. I started with an autoharp book from MelBaby, #4 on this list. It covered the basics for me.

There are also a number of teachers online. Cathy Britell has some online autoharp lessons she offers, and the Autoharp Quarterly publishes audio lessons in their magazine and online, I think.


I don't want to make a mistake buying an instrument...buy one model and find out I wish I had a different one. I haven't a clue what each offers as far as good sound, etc. I am sort of skilled in music and play by ear so an autoharp with the best sound will be priority. Whatever instrument I purchase will probably be the one I have from now on. Am willing to purchase a nice one to have the right one if that makes sense. Oscar Schmidt seems to be the name I see. Can you recommend a model or tell me what to stay away from? Good sound is really important to me. Thanks for your help. Jan

I'm no expert when it comes to great sounding autoharps. All of the custom autoharps sound worlds better than my OS15-B. But I have yet to distinguish which new autoharps sound best. So I typically buy used ones from the late 70s to early 80s.

I am also a big fan of starting with an inexpensive autoharp. It alway seems a shame to see someone buy something and not use it. But then there's a fine balance since sweeter sounding autoharps will inspire you more.

Chromaharp has a couple of inexpensive 'harps. The quality of the instrument is not great. But they will only cost you about $150.

If you're at all serious or have the money, go ahead and get something like the Oscar Schmidt Autoharp 21 Chord Appalachian. It will cost twice as much as the chromaharp, but is better made. I bought the Oscar Schmidt Electric Autoharp With 4 Band EQ and it has a pretty nice sound.

If you have the money and really want to get serious, talk to Chuck Daniels or Bob Lewis. They both refurbish and upgrade Oscar Schmidt autoharps to make them higher quality instruments. But again you're doubling the price to do so. That puts you in the range of $400-600. At that point, I'm almost ready to start buying a custom autoharp.

I hope that helps.

P.S. Oh yes, when I found your website, I listened to Wild Kitty! Loved it!

:) Thank you!!!

#64 - Drew's "TIP-OF-THE-DAY" ... EASY TUNING METHOD using your chromatic tuner!

First of all, thank goodness that almost everyone we get to play with in our music circles uses an electronic tuner for their stringed instruments! That means so much to us cyberpluckers when we enter into an existing jam session, because we all know enough to have our own autoharps in good tune! Right?

Here's a tuning TIP that you may enjoy when you pull out your chromatic tuner, clip-on tuning pickup, and your tuning wrench.

Normally you attach the clip-on pickup to your tuning pins, and tune a batch of strings ... and then move the clip to another position before you tune your next batch.

HERE'S THE TRICK:
Fasten the clip DIRECTLY ONTO YOUR TUNING WRENCH! No need to clip-on to the tuning pins. The vibrations and tuning frequency will easily transmit to your digital tuner, and you'll get accurate tuning readings directly from the very string you are tuning. When you tune from string to string, the clip-on attached to the neck of your wrench moves right along with the wrench!

I find this is a great convenience using my long handle tuning wrench.
GIVE IT A TRY!

---

Drew Smith
c/o Great All-American Autoharp Emporium
529 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 / 201 444-2833
drewharpsmith at netzero.net

I need your home address to be able to mail you my catalog.
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New, perfect, SOLID SPRUCE TOP - OS73C - 21 chord harp
(1930's Reissue model) at a really low, low price!
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NEW: See Drew Smith's TEACHING OPTIONS
... or, search for a Teacher in your area through this site.
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