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Autoharp

Started by Greeny, January 03, 2013, 01:48:40 AM

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Greeny

#10
January 04, 2013, 07:51:19 AM
Quote from: cuthbert on January 03, 2013, 12:23:36 PMCongrats on the new autoharp, Tim!

Autoharps are strange and wonderful instruments. I love their shimmer, and alternately like and dislike their limitations with chords. I don't know if you remember, but I have an old Oscar Schmidt autoharp (quite beat up), which I added to your song Love Me In Obscurity.

Quote from: Greeny on January 03, 2013, 02:42:49 AMThe most difficult part is getting all the strings in tune!

There's the bugger, right there. I find (when I use it), that I have to do a full tuning at least twice, as tuning on one batch of strings sends the others right out of tune! That might be specific to my antique, though.  ;D

I do remember that! It was the first time I'd even heard of an Autoharp!

I think the tuning issues may be an inherent part of them - sounds fine on it's own, but when you try to play over it with a perfectly tuned guitar or piano etc, it can sound way off. I had to re-tune the re-tuning to get it sounding OK. But this is a brand new one, and the strings will take a bit of time to settle.

Hook

#11
January 04, 2013, 11:28:56 AM
Very cool Greeny, I love mine even though I seldom use it and have never recorded. Once the strings settle I would assume it would be easier to track to. Mine is very old but holds it's tune quite well. I look forward to hearing what you come up with.
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Facemask93

#12
January 16, 2013, 03:05:14 PM
I used to go to a folk club in Epsom in  Surrey quite a few years ago now , &  there was a blind guy  that played an auto harp , sounded real good , didn't think you could still buy them
   
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Flash Harry

#13
January 17, 2013, 03:59:10 AM
Billy Connolly plays a mean auto harp.

I have one, a legacy from my dad's musical cleptomania (another legacy) but I don't have a tuning wrench. I keep looking, but I haven't found one yet.

They are lovely things. I can't wait to hear your creative brain let loose on it.  
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- Kurt Vonnegut.

Greeny

#14
January 17, 2013, 04:22:09 AM
Quote from: Flash Harry on January 17, 2013, 03:59:10 AMThey are lovely things. I can't wait to hear your creative brain let loose on it. 


I've already recorded a song with it. Will hopefully get around to posting it, but it's more of an 'album track' really. It's got a good sound though, and opens up some different chord options that I can't easily play on guitar. It's all good!
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