Gourt > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Autoharp (1)
The Autoharp is a zither-like musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers which, when depressed, mute all the strings other than those that form the desired chord. It has been a registered trademark since 1927, and is currently owned by U.S. Music Corporation, whose Oscar Schmidt division manufactures Autoharps. The generic term for the instrument is chorded zither.
Autoharps have been used in the United States as bluegrass and folk instruments, perhaps most famously by The Carter Family. They are known for being easy to learn.
There is debate over the originality of the Autoharp. A German immigrant in Philadelphia by the name of Charles F. Zimmermann patented in 1882 a design for improvements on the traditional harp that included pulling mechanisms for muting certain strings during play. He coined his invention the "autoharp". Unlike later Autoharps, the shape of the instrument was symmetrical, and the felt-bearing bars moved horizontally against the strings instead of vertically. It is not known if Zimmermann ever produced commercially any instruments of this early design. Karl August Gütter of Markneukirchen, Germany had built a model that he called a "Volkszither" which most resembles the Autoharp played today. Gütter obtained a British patent for his instrument circa 1883-1884. Zimmermann, after returning from a visit to Germany, began production of the Gütter design in 1885 but with his own design patent number and catchy name. Gütter's instrument became very popular and Zimmermann has often been mistaken as the inventor.
More on [ Autoharp ]
I found an autoharp at the back of a sacristy closet today. Reminded me of Mom, who was elementary music teacher.
oueed (paula tatarunis) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:34:34 -0000
I found an autoharp at the back of a sacristy closet today. Reminded me of Mom, who was elementary music teacher.
electric guitars, strings, autoharp, dark nightime lovemaking...
Bat4LashesFans (Bat for lashes ) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:50:52 -0000
electric guitars, strings, autoharp, dark nightime lovemaking...
I'd so like a ukelele and an autoharp for Christmas, so I can play folk music with friends. http://j.mp/3ZHgcL #RiffTraxSANTA #musicwishes
DavidHJackson (David Jackson) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:43:51 -0000
I'd so like a ukelele and an autoharp for Christmas, so I can play folk music with friends. http://j.mp/3ZHgcL #RiffTraxSANTA #musicwishes
I'd like a ukelele and an autoharp for Christmas, so I can play folk music with friends. http://j.mp/3ZHgcL #RiffTraxSANTA #musicwishes
DavidHJackson (David Jackson) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:44:40 -0000
I'd like a ukelele and an autoharp for Christmas, so I can play folk music with friends. http://j.mp/3ZHgcL #RiffTraxSANTA #musicwishes
@__carly__ camera, and now autoharp, dammnnn.
milkbutterhoney (milkbutterhoney) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:56:59 -0000
@__carly__ camera, and now autoharp, dammnnn.
@lindsaycampbell The world can ALWAYS use more ukelele! (And banjo and autoharp!) ((And accordian!))
jmixont (Jason Tucker) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:18:51 -0000
@lindsaycampbell The world can ALWAYS use more ukelele! (And banjo and autoharp!) ((And accordian!))
Autoharp Radio - Information about playing and buying autoharps and chromaharps by Mark Gunn. Includes autoharp music on internet radio, and MP3s.
Meta Description: [ Listen and download autoharp and chromaharp music from Autoharp Radio. How to pick autoharps, chromaharps, zithers, books, CDs, and accessories for newbie autoharpists. ]
The Autoharp Quarterly - International magazine for the enthusiast.
The Autoharp WebRing - Join or list sites in the ring.
The True History of the Autoharp - An article by Ivan Stiles, giving an alternate explanation about the origin of the instrument. From the Autoharp Quarterly.
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