Autoharp Avenue - Chromatic vs. Diatonic

First in a series of autoharp "podcasts" by Champion autoharpist Jo Ann Smith (www.autoharpist.com). This installment explains the differences between chromatic and diatonic autoharps.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• autoharp
• jo
• ann
• smith
• autoharpist
• folk
• instrumental
• acoustic
• auto
• harp
• diatonic
• chromatic

[somedguy]

Hi. I was wondering if you actually moved the mutes on your Diatonic harp. If so do you do it by ear or do you follow a chart of some kind. Thanks

[autoharpist]

@somedguy Yes, I moved the mutes. Once you re-tune the strings from a chromatic to a diatonic scale, all of the chord bars must be re-configured to accomodate the new tuning. The chord bar has a solid piece of felt on the underside; you put notches in the felt over the strings that you want to ring for a particular chord. For instance, for a C major chord, you would notch the felt for all of the C, E and G tuned strings.

[pine2apple]

I'm considering buying an autoharp. This was really helpful. Which one would you prefer. A chromatic or diatonic?

[autoharpist]

@pine2apple I always recommend a chromatic to new players, except in rare instances. Chromatics allow you to play a wide variety of music in multiple keys, and they give you a good foundation in playing techniques. Plus, they are much easier to find than a diatonic (usually a custom job). I played nothing but chromatic autoharps for nearly 3 years before moving to a diatonic.

[feelingwarmandhappy]

Thanks for your video! I've got a question for you, about the 21 chord autoharp where you mentioned 7ths. What kind of 7ths are typically set on regular factory made ones? Are they usually maj7, min7, dim?

Thanks again and keep making those wonderful vids :)

[autoharpist]

The type of seventh chords that are standard on a 21-chord chromatic autoharp are the DOMINANT sevenths. The way you construct a dominant seventh is to take a major chord like C major (C,E,G) and add the FLATTED seventh note of the C scale. What you get is C7 (C,E,G,Bb). The dominant seventh is the type of seventh chord assumed when you write only a '7' when notating the chord.

[purity4all]

Can it be done in pentatonic?

[XmyAssYTmofo]

Yes I can see that the diatonic gives the rich 12-string guitar effect.

[phototaxisable]

thanks for that explanation! finally i got the difference between chromatic and diatonic!

[bs27975]

Thanks so much for your excellent video. Your sheer enthusiasm comes through - very pleasant to witness.

[freak49]

When I was watching this I was wondering how far the chords can be modified. If you can play maj7 and sus4 could you also get real adventurous and play 6ths & 9ths etc. Did you modify your harp yourself or can you play those chords on a "stock" instrument??

[MusicRowe]

Wow Ty... I have learned more on 8 min than I did in 4 days of web research. Btw can u take a chron harp and make it diatonic? Or do you have to buy the harp already tuned? ie: can you just tune the strings differently and change the chord bars? Much thanks for taking the time to share this wonderful info.

[Johnnyboybravo]

very nice =)

[tw0catf1sh]

you're great

[LightbreadLoftin]

@autoharpist I'm only 15 and after learning guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and trumpet, i was wanting to get an autoharp and i was wondering if you could recommend a *relatively cheap* autoharp and chromatic or diatonic? and do strings break regularly? because i saw they were about $60 a pack, and since im only 15, money is a little tight haha... thanks for any help

[zorilla0]

@gtrgdss As I understood it, "dead wire" just refers to strings muted by the chord buttons currently being pressed. Diatonics have redundant notes and fewer strings need to be muted to construct chords, so the effect is less noticeable.