My First Autoharp Medley of 2 Tunes .After half an hour

Jarvoid

Genre: Other

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Description

I Forummed (is that a new verb) a query about Autoharps after a friend lent me her rather neglected and forgotten machine to have a look at.Thanks to all who chipped in and made me get it up off the table and play it 'upright'...anyhoo after about an hour or two this is just another quick query , is this something like it should sound...I am using a plectrum and fingernails but will get some finger and thumb picks...this is a genuine learning process and I won't keep this up for too long cos I know that it is ,if not out of tune certainly not at concert pitch...but hey I am excited with this new toy...I may want one of me own.Oh yes the 2 tunes are a bit of Amazing Grace ( sort of ) and Sweet Home Chicago.....not so sweet tho'.Any Autoharpers,please be brutal.

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Lyrics

Sweet Home Chicago innit?

Song Stats

Hits: 370
Comments: 19
Fans: 7
Plays: 32
Downloads: 13
Votes: 1
Uploaded: Aug 23, 2009 - 11:52:23 AM
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2009 - 11:52:23 AM Last Played: Nov 20, 2009 - 04:08:28 AM

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Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

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Comments

rabittwhole	rabittwhole said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	Bloody hell ... is there nothing you will not tackle you mad man you .... blues on an autoharp .... you are quiet mad indeed. Check out my latest song called London is Bitter (Part 1)

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	Umm, is that Good Mad or Bad Mad? Mwahahahahahahaha.........erhem.Just asking Check out my latest song called Witches in Texas-'Hallowe'en Challenge 2009'

rabittwhole	rabittwhole said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	..ummm i think he meant "good mad" ...just guessing tho Check out my latest song called London is Bitter (Part 1)

sloparts

sloparts said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)

I think Jack's assessment is correct
You are indeed mad. It is yet to be determined if that is "Good Mad" or "Bad Mad"

Not being a player of Autoharp, I can not give you any advice on tuning, or playing Chris. Other than to suggest getting a book maybe. I'm sure there must be some qualified Autoharp players among the MacJams folks, maybe one will step up to the plate and offer you some assistance.

I just love you spirit of adventure Chris, keep it up man it is very cool,

Ed

Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

drakonis

drakonis said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)

Time to Chris(ten) thee...
and I chris(ten) thee "Instant Music Box Man". I think THIS is the proper way to play an autoharp. However, next time you attempt the correct playing posture, I would ask that you get a picture of you playing! I think that people would be a little more sympathetic if they actually saw that you were able to use duct tape to attach the three picks to your elbows and nose, and play TWO songs back to back, and sing at the same time! The only other person I saw playing an autoharp this way also tried sipping ice tea through a straw at the end of the song, but unfortunately that caused an unmentionably sudden termination of her ability to ever look at an autoharp again without making strange burbling noises.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

magnatone

magnatone said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)

WOOT
you're getting it Chris!! you're seeing how to pick out your melody strings. when you get PICKS, it will make such a difference, and you'll be able to play more crisply and faster (without making your fingers bleed). you can put your ear right up against the soundboard - it's very cool. you're probably figuring out that you have to push the keys down HARD, to get them to snuff out the strings you don't want. Each key has a felt pad glued to it. you can take the harp apart, buy these long rolls of the felt padding material, cut to fit and re-glue - you'll get a much tighter "snuff" on the strings with new felt.

it's a bitch to tune isn't it?? you can also re-string it, and it will sound like new. it's clear you're having fun - i'm enjoying your post as i write this!

Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

magnatone	magnatone said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	and ... i agree with Drakonis - post a photo of YOU playing it PLEASE!!! Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

Daugrin

Daugrin said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)

Autoharp Baby Steps
Painfully out of tune! The basics don't seem to be a problem. The idea of using picks maybe counter productive. The idea is to harp the thing.
Use the same aggressive attack as you would a telecaster. The thing is meant to be played. Karen's comment about "upright" is really important. To get a glassy sheen on your tunes you need the fifths to ring and create overtones. This comes when the back of the harp is vibrating. Hug it against you but leave the back free to vibrate as much as possible. Pick out the melody from the available chord tones, pitches outside the chords have to be "open" pulled. Don't forge the harmonics. Projection is easier with picks, but bare fingers can give more feeling. The thumb nail is pick enough for me.
From the sounds of things you are on your way.

Daug

Check out my latest song called Daphne w/ Andy Wigzell

Feter	Feter said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	My First Autoharp How cool ...I love auto harp ...its the first tune so its natural you are tryin to find your way with it ...but so far ..the tune is cool !! thnx alot for sharin !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

PockBluesman	PockBluesman said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	Stop it now I think your hanging from the ceiling, nappy on and playing harp cherub style. Go on admit it thats why your not in the photo. White coat ordered Van is on the way. You Nutter Check out my latest song called Sunset Chill

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 91 days ago (August 23rd, 2009)
	Welll you may be right,butI 'ad to 'ave a go. Check out my latest song called Witches in Texas-'Hallowe'en Challenge 2009'

sschedra	sschedra said 90 days ago (August 24th, 2009)
	Cool beans I have seen em before, but never played em. You are getting the hang of it though. I think if you put on the finger picks you would do just fine. Good job Chris. Stephen Check out my latest song called Love's Fingers Fall

lengold	lengold said 89 days ago (August 25th, 2009)
	Wonderful lyrics. What's it like at cutting cheese? Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

scaustrita

scaustrita said 89 days ago (August 25th, 2009)

Dang
You have replicated the original blues sounds that came out of the south! The blues started in the 30's not the 50's The simplicity of the chords yet the feel of desperation is evident. The change from minor to major chords make for an almost original capture to a almost lost period of the roots of the blues. Chris if this was intended GREAT JOB if not WOW!

Check out my latest song called Just Bumps in the Road

pablatone	pablatone said 86 days ago (August 29th, 2009)
	I love those things they get less respect than a banjo though. Ever hear the one in Jimmy Cliff's "I can see clearly now " ? Check out my latest song called I got a gal

Gaylen75	Gaylen75 said 47 days ago (October 6th, 2009)
	This is an Interesting take on the autoharp. I absolutely love the tone as it has a bizzare comforting feel. thanks Check out my latest song called What I Need

Calchas	Calchas said 47 days ago (October 6th, 2009)
	What Magnatone said! I messed with one once, oh so long ago, but never got beyond rhythmic strumming. Lot's of potential here Chris. I hope you stick with it. Be well! Check out my latest song called All Is Quiet

ramonaji	ramonaji said 47 days ago (October 6th, 2009)
	enjoyed! I'm not an autoharper, but I enjoyed this, ! Check out my latest song called You Think You've Got it All?

ste	ste said 35 days ago (October 18th, 2009)
	ha interesting sound isn't it? never heard one before. like plucking the inside of a piano. what's it like distorted? Check out my latest song called sweet potatoes

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Name: Chris Jarvis

I like music..playing ...listening ...all different styles ,varieties,genres and flavours. Ninety percent of the gunge that I have posted here has been composed (allegedly) recorded and otherwise perpetrated in the last couple of years, so I am fairl... [see more]

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