Just found your site. Had given up the autoharp. Couldn't find a good teacher to help me do anything but strum. THANK YOU for your excellent, easy to understand.instructions. Renewed my interest immensely.
Fantastic teaching video. I played the autoharp over 20 years ago while teaching preschool. I could not sing that well, but the kids love the sound of the autoharp. My autoharp was stolen and I want to play again for my grandchildren. Thank you very much.
I've been eyeing the autoharp recently and you show how easy it is to play. Other than it being so expensive, I think it would be perfect for me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I started with one I got for $17 on ebay. I was 51 years old and had no musical background whatsoever. But I stayed with it. Ten years later I may never reach the technical expertise of so many others here like Bill Bryant, but it makes me happy. Above and beyond all else, music should make you happy!
It is easy to start with - press the button for the chord you want and you can do no wrong. Then you will find there is so much more you can do, and you have only scratched the surface. You can play it differently, add more chords, and wow! The most complex song I ever played used 18 chords. But you have to start somewhere and this is a great place.
this is so very useful, even with the minor delay. :) I Love the sound of an autoharp, and plan to get one someday. so perfectly perfect for a newbie like myself. keep on doing what you're doing.
Really helpful. Very basic. I was able to play a little diddy and it felt good and inspired me to keep trying. Do you have more teaching VERY BASIC videos??? Please Help.
Thank you so much for your video! It was very helpful, as I'm teaching myself autoharp. I know it's not a tremendously popular instrument but I'm shocked by the lack of information I can find when doing internet searches and things. So I come to you with a question: how does one go about changing guitar chords for autoharp? For instance, if it says to play chord C/G, do I press C and G at the same time? What about Gsus? I know that's probably a little advanced for someone who's only several lessons into the beginner's book but I'm trying to figure out how to play a song and the chords aren't available for autoharp. I don't know how to read them when they're there for guitar. Thanks for any help you can offer!
This is great - thanks for posting it! Just one question. The C and G chords share the note G, and the C and F chords share the note C. So when you mute a C chord w a G7 and F chords, it seems that each of the shared notes will ring through. No?
I don't have time to load it right now (I'm on dialup), but it should be in the key of "G". I don't know what you mean by "tab", but it goes: (G) Amazing Grace, how (C) sweet the (G) sound, that saved a wretch like (D7) me...... I (G) once was lost, but (C) now am (G) found, blind, but (D7) now I (G) see. That is the absolute basics. More chords can be added as you go along.
I see what you mean, since the track is off. It does make this video confusing. Sorry. You Tube, for some reason, doesn't have any way to adjust it. It's more understandable, if you don't look at the video, just listen to it. My workshop video doesn't have that problem, and these videos just show a sampling of my workshop video. Bill
Not sure if you are still around. I need some advice on how to actually hold my autoharp. I do not have the strap buttons so I cannot have a slider strap. I remember someone using a pillow or cushion to rest the harp on, but I cannot seem to find it. Any suggestions?
Susan, yes, I'm still around! Depending on your autoharp, there are different ways to hold/carry/use it. First, look for Pete d'Aigle's video of installing the strap buttons. Or get someone to help you. Some guitar straps will work. I never use anything, but that's me. Many music stores have the buttons, and they're cheap. The guitar strap might be your best bet. I have one of the "slider straps", but it's too restrictive for me. Don't know if they're in different sizes. Join "cyberpluckers" online, and all your questions will be answered. If not, get back to me at: bryant@cyberport.net
Have more confidence in yourself, Susan. You can make a strap using o-screws (Or picture hangers) and a guitar strap. If you have problems get back to me. If all else fails, go to a music store. Anybody reputable should help you for very little cost. Lotsa people, like Maybelle or June Carter, and many of the TH-cam instructors. just hold it up. Look at how THEY'RE doing it. But yes, it's tiring...and the edges of the wood are uncomfortable. Get a seat cushion that goes in a car. Also...You can make a cushion out of almost anything--even a folded bathtowel
At the risk of sounding rude or insulting you, it would be so much more helpful if you refrained from singing during your Autoharp 101 vids. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Just found your site. Had given up the autoharp. Couldn't find a good teacher to help me do anything but strum. THANK YOU for your excellent, easy to understand.instructions. Renewed my interest immensely.
Fantastic teaching video. I played the autoharp over 20 years ago while teaching preschool. I could not sing that well, but the kids love the sound of the autoharp. My autoharp was stolen and I want to play again for my grandchildren. Thank you very much.
Cindy Hama , thank you for your kind words! You can learn a lot on You Tube.
Thanks for doing this series!! I'm enjoying it and hope you can do more.
this has been very helpful, thankyou. I'm from Australia and most people don't even know what an autoharp is.
I've been eyeing the autoharp recently and you show how easy it is to play. Other than it being so expensive, I think it would be perfect for me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I started with one I got for $17 on ebay. I was 51 years old and had no musical background whatsoever. But I stayed with it.
Ten years later I may never reach the technical expertise of so many others here like Bill Bryant, but it makes me happy. Above and beyond all else, music should make you happy!
It is easy to start with - press the button for the chord you want and you can do no wrong. Then you will find there is so much more you can do, and you have only scratched the surface. You can play it differently, add more chords, and wow!
The most complex song I ever played used 18 chords. But you have to start somewhere and this is a great place.
Molto chiaro e interessante grazie🙏
this is so very useful, even with the minor delay. :) I Love the sound of an autoharp, and plan to get one someday. so perfectly perfect for a newbie like myself. keep on doing what you're doing.
awesome! You make it so easy to understand! God Bless You!!
Thank you so much for your prompt reply I am most grateful. You have given me the info I needed.
Excellent! THANKS
Really helpful. Very basic. I was able to play a little diddy and it felt good and inspired me to keep trying. Do you have more teaching VERY BASIC videos??? Please Help.
John tom, go to, "Bill Bryant Online" to send for my 54 minute autoharp workshop video. Bill
Thank you so much for your video! It was very helpful, as I'm teaching myself autoharp. I know it's not a tremendously popular instrument but I'm shocked by the lack of information I can find when doing internet searches and things. So I come to you with a question: how does one go about changing guitar chords for autoharp? For instance, if it says to play chord C/G, do I press C and G at the same time? What about Gsus? I know that's probably a little advanced for someone who's only several lessons into the beginner's book but I'm trying to figure out how to play a song and the chords aren't available for autoharp. I don't know how to read them when they're there for guitar. Thanks for any help you can offer!
This is great - thanks for posting it! Just one question. The C and G chords share the note G, and the C and F chords share the note C. So when you mute a C chord w a G7 and F chords, it seems that each of the shared notes will ring through. No?
Correct
Please help, what key is the harp you are playing? Can you kindly say what the tab is. Thanks so much for your help.
I don't have time to load it right now (I'm on dialup), but it should be in the key of "G". I don't know what you mean by "tab", but it goes: (G) Amazing Grace, how (C) sweet the (G) sound, that saved a wretch like (D7) me...... I (G) once was lost, but (C) now am (G) found, blind, but (D7) now I (G) see. That is the absolute basics. More chords can be added as you go along.
I see what you mean, since the track is off. It does make this video confusing. Sorry. You Tube, for some reason, doesn't have any way to adjust it. It's more understandable, if you don't look at the video, just listen to it. My workshop video doesn't have that problem, and these videos just show a sampling of my workshop video. Bill
Not sure if you are still around. I need some advice on how to actually hold my autoharp. I do not have the strap buttons so I cannot have a slider strap. I remember someone using a pillow or cushion to rest the harp on, but I cannot seem to find it. Any suggestions?
Susan, yes, I'm still around! Depending on your autoharp, there are different ways to hold/carry/use it. First, look for Pete d'Aigle's video of installing the strap buttons. Or get someone to help you. Some guitar straps will work. I never use anything, but that's me. Many music stores have the buttons, and they're cheap. The guitar strap might be your best bet. I have one of the "slider straps", but it's too restrictive for me. Don't know if they're in different sizes. Join "cyberpluckers" online, and all your questions will be answered. If not, get back to me at: bryant@cyberport.net
Have more confidence in yourself, Susan. You can make a strap using o-screws (Or picture hangers) and a guitar strap. If you have problems get back to me. If all else fails, go to a music store. Anybody reputable should help you for very little cost. Lotsa people, like Maybelle or June Carter, and many of the TH-cam instructors. just hold it up. Look at how THEY'RE doing it. But yes, it's tiring...and the edges of the wood are uncomfortable. Get a seat cushion that goes in a car. Also...You can make a cushion out of almost anything--even a folded bathtowel
This video is great - very simple and instructional. What kind of autoharp do you use?
I play guitar already, so I've got chord structure down prety well. lol.
Wish I could reach the keys. To short so no way so play ot laying it down
Ruthie, do you have an autoharp? There are many ways to modify an autoharp to be able to play it.
is it electric?
It can be, but I'm playing it acoustic right now.
At the risk of sounding rude or insulting you, it would be so much more helpful if you refrained from singing during your Autoharp 101 vids. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.