Autoharp - Wayfaring Stranger

[orarian7]

I am immensely gratified to see such and old and revered art form alive in our modern day.

[gkseeton]

Thank you for letting me know about your autoharp. I'll just set this info in the back of my mind...or send it to someone I know who does estate auctions--so he can keep an eye out for me!

[gkseeton]

Ron Wall Mountain Harp? Is there a web page? I love the sound of this harp.

[gfharper]

@gkseeton - no, sorry. Ron Wall only madwe around 100 of these, and they're all pretty much gone. I would ask the "cyberpluckers" - there might be one stuck in a closet somewhere. That's where I found mine. Bill

[gfharper]

@gkseeton - sorry, no. Ron only made 100 or so of these. Ask on "cyberpluckers" - there might be one stuck in a closet somewhere. Bill

[autoharpmusic247]

Could you please play a few simple songs on a 15 chord bar autoharp, allowing me to see the chord changes with each finger as you go. I sure would appreciate it, for I live in northern Wisconsin and have no teacher. I was given a ChromAharp 15 bar autoharp, and do not see many folks playing them on the YouTube.

[thekinglight1]

Beautiful *;~

[pang5]

Song always tears me up. Thank you for giving it an unforeseen mist of beauty that I haven't experienced before. It's just lovely.

[Bern52hard]

good to find someone who plays this instrument and make it sound like a harp, unlike a few 'stars' who make it sound like a Beverley Hillbillies banjo!

[mountainharp1]

Hi Bill, thanks for that wonderful version of Wayfaring Strangers it's easy to listen to and creates a very haunting mood. Love your playing, great job! Ron

[evetssknabue]

good job

[silharima]

This is just superb. It has a haunting quality that really suits the wistfulness of the song itself.

[gfharper]

Thank all of you for your comments! Bill

[tommyandtammy1]

i love this song good job. God bless.5

[ZombieGorePrincess]

I love the sound of an autoharp. I want one so very badly. :) well done!

[Jarrahnut]

That's lovely, mate! Greetings to you from Jarrahnut (Colin) in wonderful Western Australia.

[gfharper]

Thank you, Colin!

[verynoicenoise]

Hi mr Bill,

that is some music you have in you there, it is really touching.

Thank you!

Michiel

[tranquilbluesky]

nice sound :)

[Valkoz]

this sounds like simon and garfunkel

(sounds of silence)

[LoriundJimi]

@Valkoz

Scarborough Fair

schöne Melodien sind alle gleich

[ChristinaEleanor]

Hi, thank you so much for your instruction...I'm listening to different autoharps & I notice that some sound better than others...I think they sound better when the opening is higher...what do you think? Also, I heard someone play a long time ago w/ felt picks & I liked that softer sound better...does anyone sell the felt picks?  thanks Donna

[gfharper]

Luthiers are finding out that opening the hole a bit higher up on the autoharp produces a much better sound, although I have some with NO soundholes, and they sound fine! I have learned to bend my picks slightly to produce a softer sound, and also play bare fingered. Bill

[CrossTronic]

Well done. Thanks for sharing.

[bigronsurf]

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

Traveling through this world alone

There is no sickness, toil nor danger

In that fair land to which I go

I'm going home

To see my mother

I'm going home

No more to roam

I am just going over Jordan

I am just going over home

[bradmatford]

awesome.

[johnnowa1953]

Nice, Well Done!

[Scarlett4Zanzibar]

I notice you don't use picks. I've tried, and I have tried. I've bent/melted them to fit, blah blah but I hate that clacking noise. So, my fingers are quite sore, but I just wait till they feel better and start again! As one other poster wrote, this does sound like a story. Great playing of a great song.

[gfharper]

Most of the time I use picks, but the reason I can go without them often is because I use "Fast Fret" every time I play. It makes the strings very forgiving on my bare firngers. Bill

[cdsnow1953]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing.

[verlrobert]

I really enjoy the way you strum the autoharp. I have noticed several on youtube that pick and strum differently. Wonder if there is just one standard way to strum? Thanks for that good rendition, enjoyed it and keep it up please.

[gfharper]

Actually, I'm picking and a - grinning! You can't see the grin! When it comes to the autoharp, in my opinion, there is no standard - whatever you do, as long as it's appropriate to the song (chord - wise) is okay. Look at my video, "Autoharp 101 - Strums", and you can see some ways to strum.

[HecateDancing]

I love this, thanks so much for posting.

[musikrazed]

I like it. Sounds good. Keep up the good work!

[musikrazed]

Noodling about? hmm...that's pretty good. What do you sound like when you're really trying?!?!?

[gfharper]

"Noodling" is my way of saying, "practicing". I was experimenting with playing two octaves of melody at the same time. In answer to your question - I sound the same. Bill

[bcburdoa]

This was awesome!

[AutoharpGal]

I am amazed. I can not believe it. I love it.

[Hogie506]

Go hiontach, gráim sé!

[nancythetall]

You shred.

[JCBigCat]

this is simply incredible playin'...i'm gonna mark this video as my favorites.

by the way, i'm plannin' to buy an autoharp, is that a chromatic or a diatonic one? and wich one would you recommend?

thank you

[gfharper]

Thank you for your comment! This autoharp is a diatonic. If you're starting out, I'd recommend a 21 chord chromatic. Log on to "cyberpluckers" first, and ask where to find a good chromatic. Your average music store will disappoint you.

[MissKatface]

you are a wonderful player! inspiring!

[feybelle]

I was researching autoharps to see if I could afford the money and time it was going to take to start in my 40's. While doing so, I found your video... I really enjoyed your gentle and inspirational style. Do you have any suggestions for one just starting out, looking into the beautiful world of playing autoharps. Thank you

[gfharper]

There is no age limit to learn to play an autoharp. There are two main methods of playing - one, you can learn in about an hour, and play that way for the rest of your life. The other takes time. Buying one - the safest way, is to join the "cyberpluckers" and get advice from many knowledgeable autoharpers. A used harp is the best bet to start off. Good luck!

[nancywarren]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[gfharper]

Thank all of you for the nice replies! Bill

[productjunkie]

so cool! so very cool!

[thesongsinger]

Bill, if you're the one with the Welty 'harps, could you please post some video of you playing those?

Autoharping in Illinois,

Jean

[luckysteps]

whoa! ive never seen this instrument before in my life, and to see you playing it as well as you are is amazing

[UkeJill]

yay!

[welshlady68]

there's a chunk of money gone out of my bank account due to this man, he inspired me to buy my own autoharp! ha ha ha thank you kindly

[gfharper]

You're welcome!Now that you have an autoharp, log on to "cyberpluckers", a website for chatting about everything associated with autoharps. From there, you can learn anything you want. Ask questions, find teachers, autoharp festivals (yes, we even have our own festivals!) Get back to me if you can't find it.

[skullorchard]

You play beautifully. I'm 43 years old, and I've always loved the autoharp ever since hearing recordings of The Original Carter family when I was a child. Wayfaring Stranger has always been a favorite of mine, but this is the first time I've heard it played on Autoharp. Simply beautiful. I too feel the urge to buy an autoharp and learn to play it. You reckon I'm too old to learn? lol

[gfharper]

I have had students in their eighties, so no, you're never too old! I started playing autoharp in 1963, when I was 22, but never really started learning techniques until I was 45. Once having an autoharp, many opportunities are available to you to learn whatever you wish.

[youngnaztman]

i didn't even know this instrument existed untill about 10 minutes ago. you make the thing sing like no single instrument ive ever heard. it sounds like a story, not someone playing an instrument, plucking away. surreal.

[Hendrixleft]

wow thats so beautiful....

[swankysarah]

The sound that escapes from the heart of the musician and into the voice of the once living wood, depicts the epitome of beauty.

[gfharper]

Thank all of you for your kind comments. There are many serious autoharp players out there, just not many who post here. I've just acquired a new autoharp, which I plan to post this weekend, if possible.

[MerlynSchutterle]

An autoharp can sound so sweet without the picks. I don't like the pick scrath.

[Moira123456789]

I've always laughed at auto harps - but no more. This is lovely music!!!

[readmedottext]

what a beautiful sound

[howlhowll]

Honestly - this is wonderful, I had to make an account just to tell you. Goodness. You are such a talent. Thanks for sharing this. It is beautiful.

[janepaddy]

i really like this one - beautiful!

[amberzdeal]

Very sensitive and beautiful.

[Pigglies]

I hope someday to be this good! I didn't realize you can actually play the autoharp without picks. The strings seem so much harder than guitar strings to me so I've been using picks (but then again, I was used to nylon strings of a classical guitar). I enjoy watching your videos (in fact, it's partly your fault I bought an autoharp).

[moonbeam60]

very very nice

[tricyclesinskirts]

that was beautiful

[rvnemo]

Great job on the old harp... I really ejoy the diatonic sound. Just got a G & D Orthey myself. Be sure and post some more vids. Bob

[Ginasong]

I loved this. Thank you.

[banduraplayer]

Fabulous! So sensitive! A real inspiration to me...

[twosweetfeet]

Very softly beautiful playing.

[brujospan]

Wow, I'm speechless, never heard this song like that before, you got it to the point.

[mrjop1975]

I love the arrangement you play of this. It was the first song I learnt on the autoharp when I picked it up in 1993.

[DanCeekey]

I really enjoyed your intimist playing. Is this a diatonic autoharp?

[gfharper]

Yes, it's in the key of C and F, with minors, sevenths and minor sevenths.

[bush555]

Your awsome man, I wish more people saw this talent. To be honest your Videos are the best out of anyone here. One more thing, did you write that? Because I think that is a really sharp song.

[gfharper]

Thanks, but listen to "Hewlett" by autoharpist, and you'll hear even better playing. The main reason I got on, was to let folks know there are many great players. Some you see here don't represent that.

[gfharper]

Also, listen to anything from Bryan Bowers.

[speakwhnspkn2]

I would like to know if your autoharp is handmade or is it one you can easily find? Cost of it would be helpful if the latter is the case.

[gfharper]

All of my harps are made by luthiers, and are expensive. I have many harps that were inexpensive, yet have a beautiful sound. Join "cyberpluckers" and you will find a nice harp.

[speakwhnspkn2]

is there a fee for joining cyberpluckers?

[gfharper]

No fee, they would just like veryone to be serious about your posts.