What is an Autoharp?

The autoharp is a popular instrument used in American folk music as well as country and western music.  It is a beautiful, stringed instrument that is part of the zither family and is enjoying a bit of a retro comeback. 

Originally invented in Germany, the autoharp (or as it was called then, the Akkordzither) eventually made its way to the United Stated, and in 1882 a patent was filed for a slightly modified version. 

The modern autoharp is essentially a predecessor of the guitar – it has strings and a hollow body that produces sound while working as a resonator box.

How Does an Autoharp Work?

The autoharp is essentially a type of zither, but it differs from a zither in that the instrument allows you to automatically play a specific chord.  When you push a button on the top of the instrument, it mutes all the strings that don’t belong in a chord and allows only those that do belong to the chord to play.   

The number of chord bars can vary, although autoharps with 15 chords or 21 chords are common today. Instruments with 21 chords are often associated with having 36 strings.

Autoharp players typically like to use the instrument to strum chords as a backup. But many musicians have developed ways of playing melodies by simply plucking the strings when different chords are selected.

How Do You Plan an Autoharp?

Musicians can play the autoharp in many different positions – either on a lap while seated, on a table, or upright while resting on a shoulder. 

The player strums the strings with a rigid felt or plastic pick in one hand while the other hand operates button-controlled bars that mute only those strings not played.   Because of this, musicians often say that the autoharp is an easy instrument to learn.  

People that have difficulty holding a guitar, either due to neck or shoulder pain, appreciate the autoharp. Since it is held almost like a baby without stressing the neck or shoulder, it can be played for long periods of time with almost no discomfort.

Is It Hard to Play the Autoharp?

It’s not hard at all – in fact, it’s one of the easiest instruments to learn.  Which is why it is increasing in popularity. 

When you play an autoharp, you simply need to press a button to get the chord ready and then play the chords you want.  Typically there are between 15 and 21 chords to choose from – you just need to learn where the buttons are for specific chords.  But once you learn that, you’ll always get the song right. 

How to Tune an Autoharp

Autoharps are tuned in the same way as guitars.  Sure, you can tune them by ear. But a more reliable method is to use a guitar tuner. 

Several different types of tuners are available, but a simple, high quality tuner is all you need.  An iPhone app would be just fine. To tune the instrument you will need a tuning key to turn the pin heads where the strings are mounted.  Similar to guitars, the tighter the strain the higher the pitch.

What to Look For in an Autoharp?

The biggest differentiator with autoharps is the number of chords (and therefore strings) they have.  Generally speaking, the most popular autoharps can play 15 or 21 chords although autoharps are known to play as few as 3 chords and as many as 27.  Advanced players often prefer the 21 chord autoharps, as it is the most expansive in musical range. 

Beginners typically start off with 15 chord autoharps, although 21 chord autoharps (while slightly heavier) will do just fine.  Autoharps with 15 chords are easier to play and make a great choice for any budding musician.

Another feature that differentiates autoharps is the tuning system.  Every autoharps come with tuning pegs at the top of the instrument.  While the tuning pegs are small, these can easily be adjusted with an Allen wrench or a specific autoharp tuner.  Some autoharps come with a built-in pickup as well as a secondary tuning system (also known as a “fine-tuning” system).

Can You Plan an Autoharp in a Band?

Of course!  An autoharp makes a unique addition to any band.  For larger bands, the chords produced by an autoharps can be amplified in volume by using an external guitar amplifier. Most people typically don’t associate the autoharp as a lead instrument in a band, but some musicians are out to change that perception. 

Canadian singer and songwriter Basia Bulat, for example, sings and plays the autoharp on her highly acclaimed debut album Oh, My Darling. Dolly Parton even plays autoharp on Coat of Many Colors in this youtube video.

Interested in learning more about the best ranked autoharps on the market today? Check out this post that reviews the best autoharps for this year.