#53- Drew's "TIP-OF-THE-DAY" ... Some more tuning suggestions
Remember to wiggle with your finger, the string you intend to tune, and visually follow the "wiggle" to the tuning pin to be adjusted. This way you'll be assured that you'll be tuning the string you're sounding. Many strings have been broken by over tightening the wrong pin while sounding the string you thought you were tuning.
S N A A P P P !!!
Have you ever heard that? It's not pleasant!
And another thing to be aware of:
Make sure your tuner is set to "A440" ! Many tuners have a button you can push to change the calibration from "A440" to a range either higher or lower. If you happen to be using a tuner that has inadvertently been changed to a calibration other than "A440" ... you will not really be in tune with musicians who have tuned to this highly accepted "A440" standard.
Chromatic harp players have an easy tuning job, because they can really tune almost every string right to the "zero" on the meter. But for the 6 to 7 high end strings, I tune a bit SHARP (progressively going from the zero" to about 5 to 8 cents sharp). For my 6 or 7 lowest bass end strings, I tune them FLAT (progressively going from the "zero" all the way down to almost 15 to 18 cents flat!). If you try this technique, you can adjust the amount of difference from "zero" to suit your self. By borrowing this simplified technique actually used by piano tuners, your chromatic autoharp will sound in tune from one end to the other, and you will be ready to play in tune with other musicians, in all the many keys in which they may play.
Diatonic harp players can similarly tune in the above way if they choose to, or follow other non-zero tuning schemes as shown in the Autoharp Owners Manual for (+ or -) tunings that are specific to non-chromatic autoharps. For multi-key "diatonics," the more keys you can play in, the closer to the "zero" tunings you'll require so the chords in the key changes will sound compatible.
Remember: Be in good tune before going out to play with others, as you don't want to see any sour faces frowning at you. It is truly the autoharp player's responsibility to BE IN TUNE, as others will have done their homework and come to the event IN TUNE. Further, think of other instruments such as harmonicas, concertinas and accordions that are fixed reed, and can't be retuned at the event. You certainly want to be in tune with them.
Be aware of these points, and reap the benefits of being "in tune."
Happy Tuning, and Happy Harping!
Drew Smith
c/o Great All-American Autoharp Emporium
529 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 / 201 444-2833
DREW-SMITH-AUTOHARP-EMPORIUM at VERIZON.NET or
drewharpsmith at netzero.net
I need your home address to be able to mail you my catalog.
Some of the best darn Autoharp items at G-R-E-A-T prices!
15 & 21 bar refelt strips / OSI "A" & "B" string sets in stock!
* All above come with complete instructions! *
New, perfect, SOLID SPRUCE TOP - OS73C - 21 chord harp
(1930's Reissue model) at a really low, low price!
**********************************************************
SPECIAL NOTE: The great 3 CD set "AUTOHARP LEGACY"
is immediately available from stock I have .... $22.00 POSTPAID.
55 of the world's FINEST PLAYERS in this THREE CD set!
Comes with a four-color 20 page booklet with info on all players.
Just need a check to my name. (Price is for US orders)
**********************************************************
NEW: See Drew Smith's TEACHING OPTIONS
... or, search for a Teacher in your area through this site.
********************************************
S N A A P P P !!!
Have you ever heard that? It's not pleasant!
And another thing to be aware of:
Make sure your tuner is set to "A440" ! Many tuners have a button you can push to change the calibration from "A440" to a range either higher or lower. If you happen to be using a tuner that has inadvertently been changed to a calibration other than "A440" ... you will not really be in tune with musicians who have tuned to this highly accepted "A440" standard.
Chromatic harp players have an easy tuning job, because they can really tune almost every string right to the "zero" on the meter. But for the 6 to 7 high end strings, I tune a bit SHARP (progressively going from the zero" to about 5 to 8 cents sharp). For my 6 or 7 lowest bass end strings, I tune them FLAT (progressively going from the "zero" all the way down to almost 15 to 18 cents flat!). If you try this technique, you can adjust the amount of difference from "zero" to suit your self. By borrowing this simplified technique actually used by piano tuners, your chromatic autoharp will sound in tune from one end to the other, and you will be ready to play in tune with other musicians, in all the many keys in which they may play.
Diatonic harp players can similarly tune in the above way if they choose to, or follow other non-zero tuning schemes as shown in the Autoharp Owners Manual for (+ or -) tunings that are specific to non-chromatic autoharps. For multi-key "diatonics," the more keys you can play in, the closer to the "zero" tunings you'll require so the chords in the key changes will sound compatible.
Remember: Be in good tune before going out to play with others, as you don't want to see any sour faces frowning at you. It is truly the autoharp player's responsibility to BE IN TUNE, as others will have done their homework and come to the event IN TUNE. Further, think of other instruments such as harmonicas, concertinas and accordions that are fixed reed, and can't be retuned at the event. You certainly want to be in tune with them.
Be aware of these points, and reap the benefits of being "in tune."
Happy Tuning, and Happy Harping!
Drew Smith
c/o Great All-American Autoharp Emporium
529 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 / 201 444-2833
DREW-SMITH-AUTOHARP-EMPORIUM at VERIZON.NET or
drewharpsmith at netzero.net
I need your home address to be able to mail you my catalog.
Some of the best darn Autoharp items at G-R-E-A-T prices!
15 & 21 bar refelt strips / OSI "A" & "B" string sets in stock!
* All above come with complete instructions! *
New, perfect, SOLID SPRUCE TOP - OS73C - 21 chord harp
(1930's Reissue model) at a really low, low price!
**********************************************************
SPECIAL NOTE: The great 3 CD set "AUTOHARP LEGACY"
is immediately available from stock I have .... $22.00 POSTPAID.
55 of the world's FINEST PLAYERS in this THREE CD set!
Comes with a four-color 20 page booklet with info on all players.
Just need a check to my name. (Price is for US orders)
**********************************************************
NEW: See Drew Smith's TEACHING OPTIONS
... or, search for a Teacher in your area through this site.
********************************************
Monday, July 04, 2005
Questions about Fixing Factory Autoharp Problems
You prefer Oscar Schmidt so that's what I was looking at. Ran across a man called "harpdoctor" who says the OS's come from the factory with some problems. He buys them from the factory and fixes them for about $150 which runs the cost over my budget. My questions: What problems is he fixing?
Hey Connie, he does the same as a few other autoharpers out there like Bob Lewis and Chuck Daniels. Honestly, I don't entirely know what they fix though there are a few things that are useful.
For instance, the typical 21-chord autoharps are not well-built. The chord bars *clack* against the frame. The standard repair practice is to pad the interior frame so that sound is not as bad. Thus, your autoharp mechanics are quieter.
Second, I usually have the chord bar set moved down a little bit from where it is because it's current position makes the 35 and 36 strings fairly useless.
Chuck Daniels upgraded three of my OS autoharps. He replaced my chord bars with ones he created. These are quieter chord bars that also lower the action which makes it easier to play fast tunes.
What is a "Fine Tuning System" which seems to add about $75 to the cost from the factory?
My Fine Tuning System I've not used yet. I bought an autoharp recently that has it, but it didn't come with a fine tuning wrench. So I've not had a chance to use it. However, I can tell you why its useful.
My autoharp gets out of tune easily. I have at least two autoharps that have fairly worn tuning pegs because of the frequent tuning. This causes the strings to slip occasionally. The Fine Tuners are designed to reduce the wear on the tuning pegs, which means greater longevity for your autoharp.
Which type of autoharp? I understand there are 2 types, chromatic and diatonic? (something like that) I will probably play church songs, old songs, and sing-along songs. Just for home and family. How do I decide which kind I need.
I'd say Chromatic. Chromatic gives you a great variety of keys to choose from. For Church songs and old songs, you'll want that variety. Diatonic autoharps are pretty much in one key. You have a lot of versatility in that key, but you are limited to that key. I use chromatic autoharps because I can play in most keys fairly easily.
Which book? Since I play by chord already I can probably chord and strum, but I need a book that teaches how to get a more definite sound from the strings.
There are two types of autoharp books out there. The older ones are strumming books. They offer a variety of strumming patterns and are great for the individual autoharpist.
The newer ones are designed for those who want to learn to play melodies on the autoharp. #4 & #2 on this list are my favorite for those those books.
That's it for the moment - Thanks a bunch for taking the time to help others. The Lord blesses helpers.
You're very welcome Connie. Feel free to ask me about any other questions. Slainte!
Hey Connie, he does the same as a few other autoharpers out there like Bob Lewis and Chuck Daniels. Honestly, I don't entirely know what they fix though there are a few things that are useful.
For instance, the typical 21-chord autoharps are not well-built. The chord bars *clack* against the frame. The standard repair practice is to pad the interior frame so that sound is not as bad. Thus, your autoharp mechanics are quieter.
Second, I usually have the chord bar set moved down a little bit from where it is because it's current position makes the 35 and 36 strings fairly useless.
Chuck Daniels upgraded three of my OS autoharps. He replaced my chord bars with ones he created. These are quieter chord bars that also lower the action which makes it easier to play fast tunes.
What is a "Fine Tuning System" which seems to add about $75 to the cost from the factory?
My Fine Tuning System I've not used yet. I bought an autoharp recently that has it, but it didn't come with a fine tuning wrench. So I've not had a chance to use it. However, I can tell you why its useful.
My autoharp gets out of tune easily. I have at least two autoharps that have fairly worn tuning pegs because of the frequent tuning. This causes the strings to slip occasionally. The Fine Tuners are designed to reduce the wear on the tuning pegs, which means greater longevity for your autoharp.
Which type of autoharp? I understand there are 2 types, chromatic and diatonic? (something like that) I will probably play church songs, old songs, and sing-along songs. Just for home and family. How do I decide which kind I need.
I'd say Chromatic. Chromatic gives you a great variety of keys to choose from. For Church songs and old songs, you'll want that variety. Diatonic autoharps are pretty much in one key. You have a lot of versatility in that key, but you are limited to that key. I use chromatic autoharps because I can play in most keys fairly easily.
Which book? Since I play by chord already I can probably chord and strum, but I need a book that teaches how to get a more definite sound from the strings.
There are two types of autoharp books out there. The older ones are strumming books. They offer a variety of strumming patterns and are great for the individual autoharpist.
The newer ones are designed for those who want to learn to play melodies on the autoharp. #4 & #2 on this list are my favorite for those those books.
That's it for the moment - Thanks a bunch for taking the time to help others. The Lord blesses helpers.
You're very welcome Connie. Feel free to ask me about any other questions. Slainte!
