Recommended Chord Bar Arrangement for Chromatic Autoharps
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2020
- MAKE YOUR AUTOHARP BETTER! This Tutorial shows how to make a very minor change to the 21-chord, three-row chord bar set on standard Oscar Schmidt and Chromaharp brands, resulting in a setup that is EASIER to learn and EASIER to play.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO ACCESS THE PDF INSTRUCTIONS AND TEMPLATES:
1) The Unified Chord Bar Arrangement Article
drive.google.com/file/d/1P4ga...
2) Chromatic 21-Bar (Standard)
drive.google.com/file/d/1wndn...
3) Chromatic 21-Bar (Jo Ann Smith Preferred)
drive.google.com/file/d/1y0iB...
4) Felt-Cutting Instructions using the Autoharp Template©
drive.google.com/file/d/1WSo0...
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Just got a US-made refurbished OS-21. After watching your truly helpful video, I was all prepared to switch to a unified arrangement until I tried to buy felt. :/ I'm thinking to still go ahead and rearrange things, putting the B-flat 7, A-flat, and Cm at the end of the bass row while I learn to play it. I can switch to the new chords later when we've found a new supplier. Am I overlooking any reason not to do so?
I will stick to the original layout, in part because of the song "Les Oiseaux" by my favourite autoharp player Pomme. It has chords F, D, A, E7, Cm, Gm. In the original layout this song can be played only in one key. In your layout there's no key that this song could be played in. I feel like a layout that leans more towards relative minors allows playing simple songs in more keys, while a layout that leans more towards parallel minors allows to play more unusual chord progressions.
Do you have an optimised layout for 15 bars ? very interesting and comprehensive video
Thank you so much!!! These resources are the answers to all of the questions I've had about and around my harp!!!! I can't thank you enough, you are a blessing <3
@JoAnnSmith @autoharpist, i have only 12 chord bars on my oscar schmidt autoharp and fewer strings than you have. is the marking of notes and cutting of the felt the same no matter what size autoharp the person has?
I am watching this more for the felting tutorial and its great! I rescued an ild autoharp from a junk shop for $60 and tue fept was disintegrated. Now i can fix it! Thank you!
Lots of information here! Thank you!.
Thank you so much. 🙂 I didn't realize the aluminum-bar harps were so easy to work on. And you actually solved a second problem for me: my first autoharp is an older used OS that's had two bars with ratty felts since I bought it, and I've always dreaded learning how to repair it. I won't say you made it look EASY, but now I feel I'm capable!
Hi Joanne. I love overseas and I have an old Oscar Schmidt. I don't think anyone services autoharps where I live. Is it possible to buy some kind of conversion kit to be able to get more chords onto my 15 chord autoharp? I don't think I can ship this anywhere. Thanks so much. Susie
Oh my goodness 😊
I love your playing and your tutorials! I am only just beginning the journey with a 15 chord pawn shop find. It appears to be a Korean-made Chromaharp A-model design, stamped "Sonata." As you probably know, it's not always possible to start out with a top-quality 21 chord harp. Have you ever considered how you would optimize the chord buttons on a 15 chord chromatic for a beginner to develop a logical and consistent finger pattern going forward? I will likely convert my 15 to a diatonic in a year or two and invest in a luthier-built 21 chord, but I would like to at least shorten the learning curve for when I am able to move up.
I printed out the Template's but i need the B chord. Do you have a template that has a B chord ? Thank you very much.
Would like to have a link to autoharp felt or dimensions of the felt strips. Thank you.
To find the template go to video “change from two to three keys “ it’s not in the packet not the full sized template
Do you know where I could find new chord bars (without the holes) to build new chords and replace some chords for some songs? (I am in France) 😊
How much do you charge?
I want the Key you used on your video. I can find blank keys but I want the one you used. It’s how I want my Autoharp configurated.
Where can I buy the chart you used?
Brilliant! Thank you.
Over time, there is an issue regarding the bridge, and string holder at the bottom of your Oscar Schmitt harp, which could ruin your harp, as well as cave the top in below the fret bars. It seems that over time, that bridge will lift upward, due to the tension of all the string balls, and the way the bridge was designed at the factory. Look-up "Hal Weeks" on "You Tube" (at, "Stalking the Wild Autoharp"), that will explain the issue I speak of more in depth, and show how to either prevent damage, before it happens, or correct the issue once the issue has begun to occur. He'll also tell you what to look for, if damage has already begun. The harp you show in this video (O-S one), is such a harp, where the bridge can cause bad damage. If bridge starts lifting, the face top can sink into the harp's middle, under your cord bars over time, and you have trouble tuning, and keeping it tuned, as well. You'll understand more, if you look-up "Hal Weeks" in "You Tube"