Members Chicken Monkey Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 Another one of those "Where do I post this?" topics... I've been looking at getting an autoharp lately--they show up in the second-hand place every so often. What do I look for? How do I mic it? How is it used? I can manage the hug-and-strum, and I've seen people play melodies on it... Is there anything I need to know before I dive in?
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 Another one of those "Where do I post this?" topics... I've been looking at getting an autoharp lately--they show up in the second-hand place every so often. What do I look for? Same as a guitar...find one that's undamaged and sounds good to you. How do I mic it? I prefer a contact P/U, but your vocal mic is about the right spot to get a good sound, too. How is it used? I can manage the hug-and-strum, and I've seen people play melodies on it... It's just a question of changing chord bars rapidly to get the note(s) you seek...practice, practice, practice. Also, track down some Bryan Bowers instructional DVDs...he's not only amazing on the autoharp, but he's a great teacher, too! Is there anything I need to know before I dive in? This should point you in the right direction...feel free to PM me if I can be of further aid.
Members S~R~O Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 June Carter Cash, was noted for playing one....as far as pickup, I'd think a lapel Mic would work rather well....( I use one on my archtop clipped in the F hole )
Members Fred Fartboski Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 Spend a few hundred and get a decent one. There's lots and lots of strings on there that need to stay in tune, it's like tuning a piano, so you want one that's built well. Don't cheat yourself. Basically you press the chord buttons with one hand and strum and pick with the other. Your creativity and imagination are the limit. I've told this story here before, but a couple of years ago I was lucky enough to find a new $600 Oscar Schmidt model at a garage sale for twenty five bucks. I've also got an old German one, it looks like it's from the 1920's, that's more of an antique and a decoration than functional.
Members Samilyn Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 June Carter Cash, was noted for playing one.... as far as pickup, I'd think a lapel Mic would work rather well.... ( I use one on my archtop clipped in the F hole ) Yup, June's was mic-ed by her vocal mic. I don't ever recall seeing a special mic for her autoharp, or see her play a plugged-in one. But that's not to say she never did - only that I haven't seen it. Until you start trying to pick individual strings, an autoharp is the easiest fun you'll ever have with a stringed instrument. Just push the chord bar and strum to your heart's content. Picking is challenging, but doable, as evidenced by many autoharp players. Like anything else, just takes lots of practice. And now they're easier than ever to tune, thanks to chromatic tuners. Go for it and enjoy!
Members Simon76 Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 [YOUTUBE]mtQpZysa7UA[/YOUTUBE]
Members Fred Fartboski Posted December 24, 2007 Members Posted December 24, 2007 He looked alot like John Lennon back then.
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