From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Autoharp is a 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. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a zither. The generic term for the instrument is chorded zither.

Contents 1 History 2 Trademark litigation 3 Construction 4 Electric autoharp 5 Notable performers 6 References 7 External links

There is debate over the origin of the autoharp. A German immigrant in Philadelphia by the name of Charles F. Zimmermann patented in 1882 a design for a musical instrument that included mechanisms for muting certain strings during play. He named his invention the "autoharp".^{[citation needed]} 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 commercially produced 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.

The term "Autoharp" was registered as a registered trademark in 1926, and is currently claimed by U.S. Music Corporation, whose Oscar Schmidt division manufactures autoharps.^[1] The USPTO registration, however, covers only "Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM". In litigation with George Orthey, it was held that Oscar Schmidt could only claim ownership of the stylized lettering of the word Autoharp, the term itself having moved into general usage. As a consequence, for instance, Autoharp Quarterly is able to register its own mark using the word autoharp in its generic sense, and Orthey instruments (and other luthier built instruments) can be marketed as "autoharps" rather than the pre-litigation "Dulciharp". ^[2]

Modern Autoharps have 36 or 37 strings, although some examples with as many as 48 strings exist. They are strung in either diatonic (1, 2 or 3 key models) or chromatic scales. Although the Autoharp is often thought of as a rhythm instrument, modern players are quite capable of producing clear melodies. Diatonic players are able to play challenging fiddle tunes up to speed by using open-chording techniques, "pumping" the damper buttons while picking individual strings very accurately. Skilled chromatic players can render music of surprising complexity.

Diatonically strung single key instruments from modern day luthiers such as Orthey, Fladmark, Hollandsworth, D'Aigle, Baker, Daniels and Goose Acres are known for their lush sound. This is accomplished by doubling the strings for individual notes. Since the strings for notes not in the diatonic scale need not appear in the string bed, the resulting extra space is used for the doubled strings, resulting in fewer damped strings. Two- and three-key diatonics compromise the number of doubled strings to gain the ability to play in two or three keys, and to permit tunes containing accidentals which could not otherwise be rendered on a single key harp. A three-key harp in the circle of fifths, such as a GDA, is often called a festival or campfire harp, as the instrument can easily accompany fiddles around a campfire at a festival in their favored keys.

Prior to the 1960's there were no pickups to amplify the autoharp other than a contact mic which had a tinny sound. Eventually a bar Magnetic pickup was designed by Harry DeArmond, and manufactured by Rowe Industries. Roger Penney of Bermuda Triangle Band was the first person to introduce the electric autoharp to the public, as cited in a 1968 Variety (magazine) article.^[3] In the 70's Oscar Schmidt came out with their own magnetic pickup.

Autoharps have been used in the United States as bluegrass and folk instruments, perhaps most famously by Maybelle Carter and Sara Carter of The Carter Family. They are relatively easy to learn to play as a rhythm instrument, but offer great rewards to the more committed player as a melody instrument.

The Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering in Newport, Pennsylvania, the Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering, and the California Autoharp Gathering celebrate the instrument's renewed popularity resulting from the more playable modern luthier-built instruments.

Some notable professional performers include:

• Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones
• Marc Gunn
• John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful
• Roger Penney of Bermuda Triangle Band
• Bryan Bowers
• Jim Lind
• Kilby Snow
• Mike Seeger
• Peggy Seeger
• Billy Connolly
• Harvey Reid
• Pop Stoneman
• Lyle Mays
• Kenneth and Neriah Benfield
• Karen Mueller
• Carol Stober
• Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues
• Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear (band)
• June Carter Cash
• Basia Bulat
• Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu
• Natasha Khan and Ginger Lee of Bat for Lashes
• PJ Harvey
• Basia Bulat
• Sara Carter
• John McCutcheon
• Michael Hayes
• Walter Keaton, Jr.
• Mike Fenton
• Maybelle Carter
• Stephen Hawking
• Tommy Shaw of Styx

• The True History of the Autoharp
• Autoharp Gallery
• A Brief History of 19th Century Autoharp Manufacturers
• Autoharp Radio
• U.S. Music Corp.
• Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
• Willamette Valley Auoharp Gathering
• California Autoharp Gathering
• Autoharp Quarterly
• Orthey Instruments
• Some Hints on Buying an Autoharp
• Blue Ridge Autoharps (John Hollandsworth)
• D'Aigle Autoharps
• The Autoharp Webring
• The Autoharp Page
• The Beginner's Guide to Buying an Autoharp