What is an Autoharp?

The autoharp is a stringed instrument from the zither family. It is not a harp.

“Autoharp” is a brandname. Historically, the name “zither” classifies instruments of the “psaltery” family (a fretboard-less board zither), or to an instrument consisting of many strings stretched across a flat body (typically made of wood).

Technically, the autoharp is a “chorded zither” because it uses bars with felt pads attached underneath that are placed across and above the strings. Players then press keys/buttons that dampen or mute non-used notes in any given chord. The notes that are needed to play a chord are able to resonate due to various notches cut out of each bar’s felt pad.

The term “Autoharp” was originally trademarked by the Oscar Schmidt Company (Founded in Jersey City, NJ, 1871), but has become a generic term now used for all such instruments, regardless of maker. Today, autoharps have been embraced by many contemporary genres from Americana traditions like bluegrass, folk and country, to more international enthusiasm showing up in parts of the world such as South Korea, France, and Germany.

Over the last 70 years, the autoharp has been front and center on a variety of famous entertainers’ stages from Maybelle Carter, June Cartner, to Dolly Parton, PJ Harvey, Sheryl Crow, and more recently Trixie Mattel.

Some assume the “auto”-harp is an easy instrument to play—perhaps, but hard to master!

Image by Alexandre Zindel, Wikipedia

Also See:

Autoharp