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May 13, 2008 |
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Autoharp Frequently Asked
Questions
- How many buttons are required on an autoharp?
- Does a pickup change the sound of the autoharp?
- How many strings are on an autoharp
- How often should you change the strings on an autoharp?
- Is Custom Setup Really Necessary?
- I bought a harp off ebay and it won't stay in tune. What's wrong?
- Should I buy a chromatic or diatonic?
- How much does an autoharp weigh, generally speaking?
- where can I find a lefthanded autoharp?
- what do the buttons on the autoharp do?
- Are chords for guitar the same for autoharp?
How many buttons are required on an autoharp?
Configurations differ but common numbers are 8, 14, 18 and 21. There have to be enough for the player to play in the keys he or she is accustomed to. Beyond that, there is no real requirement or restriction.Does a pickup change the sound of the autoharp?
A pickup does not change the acoustic sound of the autoharp. It simply allows you to plug your harp into an amplifier or PA system.How many strings are on an autoharp
Most standard size autoharps have 36 strings. All currently made Chromaharp and Oscar Schmidt Harps have 36 strings. Some luthier made harps have 37 or even 38 strings.Fine Tuners are small individual cam-style tuners on the string anchor end(bottom) of the autoharp. Fine Tuner harps have standard tuning pins and fine tuners. Fine tuners are conrolled by fine thread screws. Turning the screw allows for very small adjustments to the pitch of the string.How often should you change the strings on an autoharp?
Every 3 - 5 years or when they become dull sounding.Is Custom Setup Really Necessary?
Yes, Custom Setup is necessary. Custom setup cannot be stressed enough. Luthiers do many things to make harps sound their best. If you are in the market for a harp, you should get a custom setup harp. You need to be able to focus on learning to play without dealing with autoharp problems. Jeff - www.harpdoctor.comI bought a harp off ebay and it won't stay in tune. What's wrong?
The harp may have structural problems. If it doesn't have structural problems, it probably has 30 year old strings that need to be replaced. It is very hard to teach old strings to stay in tune after years of neglect. The easy solution is to replace the strings.Should I buy a chromatic or diatonic?
99% of the books are written for chromatic autoharp. Most harps are chromatic. Chromatic harps play in any key you have the chords for. My recommendation to beginners is to learn on a chromatic. All the books are geared to it. Diatonic harps play in 1, 2 or 3 keys only and only include notes in the scale(s) they play in.Harps that play in traditional hymnal keys because of special tunings are what I call hymnal harps. Most hymns in our hymn book are written in Db, Ab, Eb, Bb. These keys sound better on harps that are specially tuned and felted for these keys. Standard harps sound best in F C G and D bc of their tuning.I am only going to play with normal mountain and hammer dulcimer players. They only play in G and D. What harp should I get?
You might consider a G/D Diatonic. They will only play diatonic tunes in G and D and include the chords or partial chords G7 D7 A7 E7 B7 C G D A am em bm. Jeff www.harpdoctor.comHow much does an autoharp weigh, generally speaking?
Generally speaking, 8 pounds is the average weight. They range from 6.5 - 10 pounds according to which harp you are referring to. Fine Tuners and pickups add to the weight of a harp as do anything else you add to it. Our lightest harp is the childs/small adult size unicoi. It is less than 6.5 pounds and designed for petite people and children.where can I find a lefthanded autoharp?
Oscar Schmidt OS30C is the only commercially available one. We sell them at www.harpdoctor.com We also build left handed unicoi autoharps.what do the buttons on the autoharp do?
They mute all strings that are not in the chord when pressed. This makes it where all the strings that need to sound are sounding when strummed or picked.I want to convert my 15 cord autoharp to diatonic. I want to play in the keys of G-D-A. I plan on changing the strings as was published in AutoHarp Quarterly about 10 yrs ago. What cords do I convert my cord bars to. Also What notes are in the C# cord?
C G D A E, D7 A7 E7 B7, Am Em Bm F#m that's what i would have - at least those. C# chord would be C# - F - G#Are chords for guitar the same for autoharp?
Yes, chords are made of 3 notes or more and are the same on guitar and autoharp.
Here's My FAQ!
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