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From the lens Strumming the Autoharp.

  • quester Feb 29, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | delete
    great music - amazing
  • happynutritionist Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:02 pm | delete
    Thank you...well played it can have a beautiful sound.
  • poddys Feb 6, 2012 @ 2:05 am | delete
    This is quite a rare instrument to see, but it looks a lot of fun to play. Thanks so much for teaching us more about it, I enjoyed my visit. Blessed by a Squidoo Angel.
  • happynutritionist Feb 29, 2012 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    Thank you for the blessing...it is a folk instrument and easy to learn to play, the reason why I like it:-)
  • kindlegeek Oct 17, 2011 @ 1:50 pm | delete
    great info thanks
  • Billie Stan Oct 8, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
    I am seriously thinking of buying and learning to play this wonderful instrument. I played the accordion for nine years as a child and always loved being able to make my own music. A question. I am left handed, would that make it more difficult to play and would you suggest an electronic tuner. Also I've read a lot about the cost, and that you should buy the best as they have a better sound. What would you suggest as a beginners instrument.
  • happynutritionist Oct 13, 2011 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Hi Billie, I am right handed, and you've got me thinking..hmm..I know there are discussions on this online if you search "playing autoharp with your left hand" or "...if you are a lefty" etc. I think there are custom made autoharps. I am not quite sure how to answer...but hope you find some information...it's a great instrument and adaptable. For info on buying, tunors, etc., please stop over and visit my Buying a New or Used Autoharp page - there's a link to it above or you can copy and paste this link:
    http://www.squidoo.com/buying-new-used-autoharp
  • traveller27 Jul 12, 2011 @ 11:42 am | delete
    I've always been curious about the autoharp. I enjoyed the videos.
  • jacidawn Mar 21, 2011 @ 10:47 pm | delete
    What an awesome lens! We inherited an autoharp many years ago (pre-internet) and couldn't find anyone in town who knew anything about playing one. We had it tuned by a piano tuner, but he said it would never hold a tune and admitted he didn't know what he was doing. It's so coll to see what resources are out there now. I may have to dig it out and see if I can tune it and maybe learn to play it...
  • happynutritionist Mar 21, 2011 @ 10:55 pm | delete
    Thank you...glad you enjoyed your visit. It is challenging tuning, but once you get it tuned, it should hold the tune for a while. If not, resell it explaining the situation if it's a nice model...some buy and repair them...then get another that will hold a tune longer. It's real easy to play, I tune my own and that is the hardest part, but still love doing it myself.
  • Rafick Feb 5, 2011 @ 6:28 am | delete
    Always wanted to learn but never did. I've always said to myself that in my next life I'll be a musician.
  • happynutritionist Feb 11, 2011 @ 8:43 am | delete
    It's never too late to learn, especially with an easy instrument like this one. Thanks for your visit:-)
  • Oracle_Post Jan 3, 2011 @ 8:00 am | delete
    I have played it once at my friend's house, and it was lovely! Great lens in sharing your passion with others, now I feel inspired to pick up playing autoharp!
  • happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 3:02 pm | delete
    Thank you...actually I should be picking up mine more than I have lately, I love it!
  • wordstock Jan 1, 2011 @ 8:37 pm | delete
    Played the autoharp as a child and loved it. Went on the piano, clarinet and flute and forgot all about it. It is easy enough for a child to learn and challenging enough for adults. I haven't thought about it in a long time but now, I might have to get one.
  • happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 3:04 pm | delete
    That is a lot of instruments. I would love to have another violin, even if only to look at. I don't regret selling the one I had, though, as the autoharp brings much joy.
  • tssfacts Oct 22, 2010 @ 7:08 am | delete
    I have plucked an autoharp before but not really played it. I really like the sounds that it plays and it goes anywhere.
  • happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 3:05 pm | delete
    It does have a unique sound...before owning one, and seeing my first one about 10 years ago, I didn't even know they existed. So glad that it's better late than never:-)
  • ohcaroline Oct 17, 2010 @ 8:10 pm | delete
    I have played the autoharp. They are fun and so easy to play. This is great information.
  • happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 3:05 pm | delete
    Thanks, it was my pleasure to share it, and glad you have had the pleasure of playing.
  • Sylvestermouse Sep 26, 2010 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    One of my all time favorite instruments! I guess it is because it is so portable, but I also love the sound. Ah, so we now have something else in common :)
  • happynutritionist Sep 26, 2010 @ 9:23 pm | delete
    Portable, and relatively easy to learn to play...yes, the list of things we have in common keeps growing...LOL Thanks for stopping by.
  • lizziebeth Sep 20, 2010 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    I like this lens! I will definitely be back to check it out again. I enjoy the autoharp too. I like how you have a copyright-free music link here also. Thanks!
  • happynutritionist Sep 20, 2010 @ 7:59 pm | delete
    Thank you..glad you enjoyed your visit...yes, that link would be great...if it worked;-) I'll have to see what else I can find.
  • Pastiche Sep 15, 2010 @ 9:52 am | delete
    Oh, what wonderful memories this lens brings back to me. 55 years ago in grade school our music teacher played the autoharp and I just loved it. I never took music lessons but longed to do so as a child. My father bought an old piano and I taught myself to play somewhat, but one day I should try to learn to really play. Loved the music here ... the autoharp has such a unique sound!
  • happynutritionist Jan 24, 2011 @ 3:07 pm | delete
    What a wonderful thing it is to enjoy past memories. I never had music lessons in school until I was in high school. Try the autoharp if you like it, it's easy to learn, and unless you have a lot of room, takes up much less room than a piano. The piano is beautiful too, reminds me of listening to my Mother play and my grandmother trying to teach me.
  • Susan52 Sep 12, 2010 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    I really do enjoy the autoharp. Bet I could even learn to play one with these resources. Love the videos!
  • Peggy707 Aug 13, 2010 @ 8:52 pm | delete
    What a neat lens.
  • KimGiancaterino Jun 16, 2010 @ 12:18 am | delete
    My husband has an autoharp and uses it for some of his compositions. It's pretty old, but still creates beautiful music
  • ohcaroline May 2, 2010 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    I used to play a friends autoharp...I really enjoy the sound of it. Perhaps I will have one of my own one of these days. Enjoyed this lens. 5*
  • rms Jan 8, 2010 @ 8:59 am | delete
    Congratulations new Giant!
  • happynutritionist Jan 8, 2010 @ 10:00 am | delete
    Thank you!! Wouldn't have happened without you...thanks for all you do for us!
  • Evelyn_Saenz Nov 19, 2009 @ 10:54 pm | delete
    I remember learning how to play the autoharp when I was in high school. Everyone was singing folk music then and the autoharp went well with that style. I play the piano but only when no one is listening.
  • Jewelsofawe Nov 13, 2009 @ 12:14 pm | delete
    Love June Carter's way of playing best, but I am a Johnny Cash June Carter fan so how could I resist. I wanted to see what they sound like. Did you teach yourself since you used to play violin?
  • happynutritionist Dec 30, 2009 @ 7:25 pm | delete
    Hi Jewels, sorry for taking so long to reply to your question...I took violin lessons during my high school years, but they had little use for people who knew how to play violin in school orchestra, so lost interest after a while.
  • Serenity_Prayer_Gifts Jun 24, 2008 @ 3:42 pm | delete
    Very nice! Thanks for sharing! :-)
  • CrossCountry Jan 14, 2007 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    The autoharp was one of my all-time favorite instruments in elementary school. One class had only a single autoharp and too many kids wanting to play it. How fun to see one again. Linda
  • Ladymaggic Aug 28, 2006 @ 9:33 pm | delete
    This is awesome as I too love the autoharp, and have been strumming it like a guitar..maybe I should learn it a bit better. Thanks for this, and for visiting and commenting on my Great Wall..... Maggi

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happynutritionist

If you like playing stringed instruments and folk instruments the Autoharp is a folk instrument with enough strings to keep you strumming and tuning to... more »

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