Autoharp Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Autoharp Facts

Here’s one of the most interesting autoharp facts. Despite the name, an autoharp isn’t a harp at all. It’s actually a chorded zither.

How does it work? A series of chord bars are attached to dampers. When the chord bars are depressed during play, strings are muted to form the desired chord. Modern autoharps usually have 36 or 37 strings. Some have as many as 47 strings, and a rare 48-string model also exists.

In the United States, the autoharp often provides rhythm in bluegrass and country music. However, skilled chromatic players can perform a range of melodies on the instrument.

More Autoharp Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called an autoharpist. Notable autoharpists include Neriah McCubbins “Mr. Cub” Benfield and his son Kenneth Benfield, Bryan Bowers, Basia Bulat, Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Sheryl Crow, Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), Janis Joplin, Linda McCartney, Dolly Parton, John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful), Kilby Snow and his son Jim Snow, Ernest V. Stoneman, and Joni Mitchell.

Signature Sound
Maybelle Carter popularized the autoharp in early country music during the 1920s and 1930s. Her innovative playing style helped define the Carter Family’s sound, blending traditional Appalachian melodies with gospel and folk influences.

Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family

The autoharp was a favorite with the historic Carter Family, including Maybelle Carter, her cousin Sara Carter, and her daughters Helen Carter and June Carter Cash. The Carter Family adopted an upright style for playing that was developed by Grand Ole Opry star Cecil Null.

Maybelle Carter’s granddaughter Carlene carries on the family tradition today, performing onstage as well as on her recordings. Carlene’s 1990 song “Me and the Wildwood Rose” was dedicated to her grandmother Maybelle Carter.

Maybelle Carter

Queen of the Auto-Harp

Maybelle Carter – Wildwood Pickin’Maybelle Carter – Queen of the Auto-Harp

Solo by “Mother” Maybelle Carter

The legendary Johnny Cash introduces his mother-in-law Maybelle Carter on the February 25, 1970 episode of “The Johnny Cash Show.” The musical piece is called “Black Mountain Rag.”

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite autoharp player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Autoharp collection.

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Oscar Schmidt 15-Chord Autoharp

Product details:

15-chord autoharp with select maple body
Handcrafted quality you expect from Oscar Schmidt
36 alloy steel strings
Tobacco sunburst gloss finish
Rock maple pin block for strength and solid tuning
An extremely easy to play instrument
Fun for the whole family

Oscar Schmidt OS15B Autoharp Beginning Autoharp Instruction Book

Origins in the 19th Century
The autoharp was patented in 1882 by Karl August Gütter in Germany, but it was popularized in the United States by Charles F. Zimmermann, who claimed to have invented it. His version included a mechanism for damping strings to play chords easily. While strongly tied to American music, the autoharp has found fans globally, with active communities in Europe and Asia, and particularly in Germany, where it originated.

Autoharp Gifts Collection

Our Autoharp Shirts and Gifts collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Autoharp Shirts and Gifts

Unique Autoharp Gift Ideas

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Oscar Schmidt Autoharp Strings (ASA) Full Set of 36 Strings – Stainless Steel – Individually Wrapped Grover/Trophy Autoharp Tuning Wrench Lap Harp, Chord-harp L-shape Tuning Hammer Tuner Wrench Fully Insulated Autoharp Case Bag – High-Impact Foam Covered with Special Tuff Skin Material Oscar Schmidt AC449 Vintage Style Autoharp Case – Classic Stitched Brown Leatherette Exterior