Autoharp Streets of London

[TheMissouripicker]

Very cool rendition.

[dromedar63]

@TheMissouripicker

Thank You!!!

[pang5]

Great damned song and beautifully played! Thank you so very much. And hello to Bavaria from your neighbor in Prague.

[dromedar63]

@pang5 Thank you for the laud and thank you for the greetings!

[cah329a]

All right, the Cyberpluckers, an online autoharp discussion group, is just buzzing about your playing and dying to know who and where you are. If you'd like to link up with the community send a blank e-mail to cyberpluckers-subscribe@autoha­rp.org . We'd love to hear from you.

[dromedar63]

Hello cah329a, many thanks for your kind and enthusiastic invitation. Gladly I´ll join the Cyberpluckers. All the best from Bavaria.

[terwilligerjones]

Oh well done!

terwilliger jones

[dromedar63]

@terwilligerjones

Hello terwilliger, thank you. Your friendly comment means a lot to me. And thank you for your detailed teaching videos! :-)

[themoviejockey]

this is one of my favorite songs - i cry every time I hear this song - beautiful - thank you

[dromedar63]

@themoviejockey

Thank you for your comment!

[ImUncleFester]

Awesome! I just caught an old 'Lovin Spoonfull vid on Youtube with JS playing one of these...way cool for the 60's too. Rock and roll will Never survive LOL hahahahahahahaha...........

[dromedar63]

Thank You! With the autoharp in my hands I believe in magic ...

[Joxametrasan]

Amazing! I get goosebumps everytime I hear people play uncommon instruments, like this one, so well. Really mesmerizing. Trying my best to get ahold of one myself. I like the layout of the keys. Yet I wonder why you play of the lower side of it? Is it just a personal preference, like with posture of playing, or is it built to be played like that?

[dromedar63]

Thank You, Joxametrasan. Older Autoharps (and a few new) were built for lap-playing (or on a desk). I prefer this one because it is so ergonomic!!! I do not have to bend myself, I can see, what I´m doing and my left ear is prevented from damage ; ).

[fiddlestyxify]

Most autoharps I can find you have to hold vertically. One that can do 15 chords will run you about about $225 American, while a 21 chord one goes for about $250 American.  It's on my list.

[Grafikbug]

Very beautiful!

[dromedar63]

Thank You for Your comment!

[ianjcameron]

Sylvia Fricker, of Ian and Sylvia, used to play an autoharp. You can hear it on their older recordings.

[dromedar63]

Thank You!

[djsolomon]

what a wonderful sound!!! I am going to buy an auto harp soon does anyone know what type the one being played is?

[dromedar63]

Hi, nice that you like it. The harp is built in Germany by Hopf. If you want to play it on lap or table in America look for Lapharp ... or a rather old Oscar Schmidt.

[happymum7]

I just viewed your video again. Nice to start the day with this song. Thanks again! Discovered Music in YouTube just about 4 weeks ago and I'm having fun browsing through the different video clips.

[happymum7]

Hi, appreciate your prompt reply. It makes me want to learn it too but I have other instruments to practise. I tried this song yesterday night on my harfe zither after getting the inspiration from your performance! Thanks for inspiring me. Greetings from Mittelfranken, Bavaria!

[happymum7]

This is very nice. I have never seen this instrument before. Thank you for performing!

Is an Autoharp available in Europe?

[dromedar63]

Hallo happymum7, heute geht man davon aus, dass die Autoharp von einem Deutschen erfunden wurde. Nur leider ist sie hier nur sehr wenig bekannt... Meine stammt aus Klingenthal in Sachsen. Ich habe sie allerdings via ebay aus England ersteigert. Viele Gruesse aus Bayern.

[dromedar63]

Hello happymum7, it seems to be secure, that the autoharp is invented by a german. But in Germany this instrument is as good as unknown. Mine is from Hopf in Klingenthal in Sachsen, imported via ebay from England. Greetings from Bavaria!

[dromedar63]

Available in Europe? Google for Musikzentrum Hopf

[ber22max]

ok thanks:)

[ber22max]

Scuse me, but i just have to ask you something, your awsome how old are you hehe you sounds like you have been playing fore a VERY long time, i am also playing autoharp a bit hehe far away that good as you are, :)

[dromedar63]

Hi ber22max, I´m 45. Autoharp I´m playing for about three years. My first harp worked only for two weeks. Then it was gone: too much oily furniture politure on it and the tuning pins became loose. Half a year later I got an other one and it was wonderful. The right hand did what it always did on guitar for thirty years and the left hand learned very fast ... Good luck for you with your autoharp. Its fun!!!

[Zeitgeist1208]

Hey nice playing and a nice song, too. Could you tell me how you know which strings you have to play? I see so many of them^^

[dromedar63]

Hallo Zeitgeist, ich spiele hauptsächlich nach Gehör. Mit den Stäben quer zu den Saiten werden die für die jeweiligen Akkorde nicht benötigten Saiten abgedämpft. D.h. ich muss nur ungefähr wissen, wo welcher Ton ist, da zwischen den verbliebenen klingenden immer ein paar abgedämpfte sind.

[Zeitgeist1208]

Ah gut, ich verstehe. Auf jedenfall ein schönes Lied, vermutlich englische Folklore :) . Ich wollte übrigens auch in ein paar Monaten mit Autoharp anfangen,  (fange dann an zu arbeiten, neben meiner eher unfreiwillegen schulischen Betätigung^^) könnten sie mir also vielleicht sagen, wieviele Akkorde eine qualitativ normale Autoharp so ca haben muss?

[dromedar63]

Es gibt welche mit 4, 12, 15, 21 Akkorden. Je mehr Akkorde desto mehr Tonarten können Sie spielen. Chromatisch oder Diatonisch, ein weites Feld. Ich komme mit 11 Akkorden recht weit. Oft hätte ich gerne mehr. Wenn Sie es sich leisten können oder eine gute alte finden, versuchen Sie es besser mit einer liegend zu spielenden. Ist ergonomischer! Hopf baut welche in Deutschland. : )

[Zeitgeist1208]

.. ok, danke erstmal, die, die ich momentan im Blickfeld habe, ist chromatisch. Einen sehr großen gefallen würden sie mir nocht un, wenn sie mir den Unterschied zwischen chromatisch und diatonisch erklären würden. Wenn sie jetzt denken, ich habe absolute keine Ahnung von Saiteninstrumenten, haben sie leider Recht :)

[dromedar63]

Da bitte ich Sie, Wikipedia zu benutzen. Chromatisch ist o.k. und je mehr Akkorde, um so besser. Nochmals, bedenken Sie, dass Sie die meisten neuen Autoharps nicht auf dem Tisch oder auf den Knieen liegend spielen können (außer Sie sind Linkshänder). Viel Freude mit der Autoharp wünsche ich Ihnen!

[Zeitgeist1208]

Ok, ok, vielen Dank für ihre HIlfe auf jeden Fall, ebenfalls noch viel Spaß mit ihrem Instrument!

[Scarlett4Zanzibar]

This is beautiful. Mother Maybell Carter used to hold and play her harp like this before she started holding it upright. June Carter Cash also played it like t his.

[dromedar63]

Hello Scarlett, thank You!

[madnell]

Beautiful. It gives me goosebumps. Thanks!

[dromedar63]

Thank YOU!

[dromedar63]

Hi, old autoharps were built like mine. The video is condensed, I don´t know why... I have for the right hand ca. 10cm space to pick. It´s very ergonomic to play this way.

[mickyfinn17]

wow, ive never seen anyone play an autoharp like that before!

[muzboz]

Thank you! You should post another song some time!

[muzboz]

What key is the autoharp in? The chords sound beautiful and more interesting than most songs I've heard on Autoharp...? I'm looking to buy one, and wondering whether there are very different tunings / keys to choose from? Thanks!

[dromedar63]

Hi, the chords are d, F, G7, a, C, D7, e, G, A7,b ,D ,f . It´s no pure chromatic. The secret is to change the chords very often so that the melody is hearable. Have fun with it!

[bluegrassy1]

I love it! Beautiful.

[Bp323]

I've never seen anyone pick the autoharp at that spot before..always closer to the tuning pegs..interesting, it really changes the tone.

[givsum]

nice instrument, nice song, nicely played. Super!

[katiedalyfan]

I played this on my Gorge Orthy along with you

[dromedar63]

Nice that you like this piece. It is still my favourite ...

[fozzdick]

Beautiful.Great sound.What kind of autoharp is that.Never seen one quite like it?

[dromedar63]

Hi fozzdick, it is an old "Hopf" autoharp from Germany. I have changed the bars to the circle of fifths, so it is easier to play. Why the video changed from originally landscape format to portrait format I don´t know ...

[robocat66]

Sweet!

[gogobionicgirl]

Wow

[Loreen2008]

Just beautiful!

[dromedar63]

Thank you!

[ElvenDane]

Interesting instrument - never seen one before.

Very nice ;-)

[dromedar63]

: )

[hexachordal]

This is gorgeous.

I WANT ONE :D

[dromedar63]

: )

[sarvalithyon]

as do i^^

[autoharpman]

im 11.try to play the wildwood flower

[dromedar63]

Hi autoharpman. I sent you the chords. It´s not easy for beginners ... Good luck!!!

[autoharpman]

how old is it?i love it!i ply the autoharp my sself

[dromedar63]

Hi, autoharpman. I don´t know exactly how old the harp is. I presume it is from the nineteenseventies like the other very similar model I own. Originally there were mounted very flat white buttons on the bars, but they inhibited me, so I took them off ...

I got it by ebayauction from England where many of these german HOPF autoharps are offered.

[pnoecker]

nice! i really want an autoharp like the one you have.

[dromedar63]

Hi pnoecker, I got mine from ebay UK (although it was manufactured in Germany). Look there. Good luck!

[ProjectZro]

wow i could do that when pigs fly lol i bearly can play my guitar, thats great that you can multitask your fingers so well

[dromedar63]

Thank you, ProjectZro! Just go and try to play an autoharp: It´s a lot easier than you think: On guitar you need 2 to 4 fingers to get an accord, on autoharp you need ONE!!!

[ProjectZro]

i know i used to play one but only for band when they needed the extra strings in there. too bad i dont own one

[punkzula]

Wow, you got mad skills. How long would you say it takes to master the autoharp?

[dromedar63]

Hi punkzula, thank you. I could benefit very much from playing fingerpicking-style-guitar for thirty years. There are many similarities ...

[sherrilynn115]

just beautiful-how long have you been playing?

[dromedar63]

Thank You! When I made the recording I have been playing less than a year. On the third day after I decided to play this song I made the videotake. Today I can play it more sophisticated ... Merry Christmas, sherrilynn!

[bonniherself]

Wow, that's excellent. A really fresh take on Pachelbel's Greatest Hit. :)

[dromedar63]

Hi bonniherself, thank you for the comment: I guessed it, but I didn´t know, that this theme is such an old one. Have fun with it!

[phlarrdboi]

is she having a laff? pachelbel? It is so kuhl though, your playing. gets a bit carried away on the "an say for me that the sun don't shine" bit innit.

I want to get me an orto harp to:!!!

[dromedar63]

Hi phlarrdboi, get one! It´s a wonderful instrument. Since I got the autoharp, my guitar is standing in the corner ...

[laerwen]

That was so beautiful! I love the autoharp very much.

[dromedar63]

Thank You, laerwen!

[kidmalicious]

LOL! Cool! A whole new take on the song! I like it- sounds better than the original!

[dromedar63]

Nice, that you like it :)

[golfyam]

dats great i am planing on buy 1 av wanted 1 for years ever since a saw billy connoly play his on stage but didnt know wat was a gd make or not but dat sounds great so thank very much

[dromedar63]

I wish You good luck, that you find the right one for You. I prefer mine because of the "flat" playing.

[golfyam]

can a ask wat kind of autoharp is it?

[dromedar63]

Its a hopf from Germany. I have changed the bars to the circle of fifths, so it is easier to play.

[golfyam]

dats absoulutly excellent. keep postin more vids

[dromedar63]

Thank You!

[dead62head]

thanks for the vid. I'll use this to further help me.

[dromedar63]

Thanks for the comment. Good luck!

[Ginasong]

Thanks for the beautiful playing. I am learning and watching you helps me.

[dromedar63]

Hello Ginasong, thank You. This are the bars I use for this song: x x x x G e D7 C a G7 F x. In the meantime I play it with four fingers of the right hand, since I have got enough power in my little finger.

[banduraplayer]

Very nice! Watching you play this closely will, I hope, help me to play melody and not just strum.....

[dromedar63]

Hello banduraplayer, Thank You for Your comment. If You like celtic music look for a book (with CD) by Karen Mueller: Celtic Autoharp: 35 tunes, partly easy to play (not all for 12-bar-harps). With that notations and tabulatures You can learn melodyplaying. Have a good time.

[sandycorgi]

That was excellent........I've just bought a 12 bar harp myself and hope I can get that sound one day !!

[dromedar63]

Hello sandycorgi, Thank You! Good luck with Your harp and keep practising!

[theflyingalamo]

WOW!

I've been looking to purchase an Autoharp. Any recommendations on brands? models? thanks

[dromedar63]

I like my model because I must not embrace it while playing. It is very ergonomic. And after altering the originally senseless arrangement of the bars to the cycle of fifths it is great to play. Have a good time!

[dromedar63]

Thank You tfa. I live in West Germany which is really autoharp diaspora. The model I play was built in East Germany then exported to England, from where I got it by auction one year ago. In America where you live You may get many brands but sadly I can give You no recommendations.

[gfharper]

Beautifully played. You have real talent on the autoharp. I think many people would disagree that it's simple to play. It's easy to play, difficult to master, which you've done. Well done!

[dromedar63]

Hello gfharper, I thank You very much for Your comment: I´m marvelling at Your >feathery< autoharpplaying. Thank You!

[Glasklinge]

ich danke dir sehr für deinen kommentar, das hat mir viel bedeutet. und max schreck spielt wunderbar.gute nacht

[crumbochris]

that sounds sooo good, peace

[dromedar63]

crumbochris, thank You!

[SailorBarsoom]

Wow. I wouldn't've guessed it could be learned so quickly. Of course, I'm lucky if I can play dead, much less an instrument, so I'm not really up on what's what. Still, I know pretty music when I hear it, and that's it.

[SailorBarsoom]

I only found out about this instrument today. Looks like it might be hard to learn. Keep playing, you sound great!

[dromedar63]

Hello SailorBarsoom, thank You for Your comment. Autoharp is very easy to learn. If You can play for example guitar, You will very quickly be familiar with the autoharp too. Simple accompaniments you may play instantly. Such pieces, like >Streets ...< with the melody in it, demands more practice: On the third day after I decided to play this song I made this videotake

[janepaddy]

hey, that was really nice :)

[dromedar63]

Hi janepaddy, thank You. I like Your videos very much. Battle hymn ... is great! You´re so busy -- many videos in a short time. It´s a pity that sound and vision are not synchronous. Are the singing duets overdubs? Autoharp is a wonderful instrument, keep at it! Have a nice time! dromedar63

[TheRumpledAcademic]

Wonderful!

That delicious organic sound that arises when you change chord brings a smile to my face.

I was wondering; what are the metallic pick-things on your fingers called? Are they necessary to play the autoharp?

[dromedar63]

Hello TRA, thank you for your comment. I´m very glad, that you enjoyed the piece. These fingerpicks (I have some made of nylon too) give better sound and protect my fingernails. And without them my fingers would lock between the strings ... All the best from dromedar63.

[deltasleep]

the lower register of yours sounds so much nicer than mine does! thats a really nice autoharp. how did you record yours?

[dromedar63]

Hello deltasleep, thank you for your comment. I love the low D and C (a quart lower than O.S.)about this autoharp. Also the ergonomic playing ... The recording was made with a DV-Camcorder with attached SOUNDMAN in-ear micros hanging loosely left and right near the autoharp. Much better recordings can I get if the autoharp is angled on the desk with the micros ca. 10 cm over it. Have a good time!

[violinandguitar]

how does that instrument work? its really interesting.

[dromedar63]

Left hand dampens with partially felted bars not needed strings.