What is an Autoharp?

Invented in the late 18th century, an Autoharp is a complex and strange looking instrument seen often in folk, country, and bluegrass music. It has a bright, resonant sound and relatively easy to play.

An autoharp is a stringed musical instrument with a series of chord bars that, when pressed, mute all strings except those that belong to the desired chord. It is often associated with folk, country, and bluegrass music due to its bright, resonant sound and ease of playing.

Autoharp features

Shape and design: Typically trapezoidal in shape, resembling a small zither.
Strings: Between 15 to 37 metal strings, tuned in a diatonic or chromatic scale.
Chord bars: Equipped with buttons that mute unwanted strings, allowing players to strum harmonious chords easily.
Playing technique: Played by strumming or plucking while pressing chord bars with the other hand.

History of the Autoharp

The Autoharp was invented in the late 19th century and credited to Charles F. Zimmermann (US) and Karl August Gütter (Germany). It became popular in the early 20th century, often used in American folk and school music programs.

The Autoharp gained fame in the 1950s and 60s folk revival, with artists like Maybelle Carter (The Carter Family) showcasing its expressive potential.

Famous Autoharp players

Maybelle Carter: (The Carter Family): Helped define the instrument’s role in country and folk music.
Bryan Bowers: A virtuoso known for his innovative picking techniques.
The Lovin’ Spoonful: Incorporated autoharp into their folk-rock sound.

Why play an Autoharp?

Easy to learn: Great for beginners, as it simplifies chord playing.
Rich, full sound: Provides a harmonic, harp-like tone.
Unusual: Brings a different sound to your playing.
Genres: Used in folk, country, gospel, and even rock music.

In short the Autoharp would be a good choice of instrument for the curious or folk, country or bluegrass players.