Both of my keyboard autoharps were custom built to my specifications by autoharp luthier Pete Daigle. Pete also had some further ideas of his own to further enhance the smoothness and play of the chord bar action. You can reach him and see samples of his work by googling him at d'Aigle Autoharps. Click on the "Custom Work" tab on his site, and you'll see a picture of me with the first 'harp he made for me, along with numberous other custom 'harps. You should contact him directly for prices, etc.
@autoharper1 i came across your video while looking for an idea of what the auto-harp sounds like. the way your sign is placed makes it seem like a warning that with the auto-harp territory comes a plethora of koalas to be weary of along the 15 km-long path of learning. just gave me a quick laugh. thanks for posting the video. it's very informative and you clearly have a hobby you enjoy very much.
Can you say me how or where I can buy this instrument? I mean a real keyboard Auto harp like this and not a regular auto harp? I live in Switzerland. Thanks!
thats very clear and interesting. ive always been kind of attracted the the autoharp but as a guitarist/keyboardist, i rather like this autoharp keyboard style
Beautiful sounding 'harp! With only twelve buttons, I think people could be sucessful - to start, with strumming, in a short order. Playing melody, in my opinion, would take much practice, but isn't every instrument that way? I think this is a very serious improvement on autoharps, and would like to see it flourish!
Did you buy this Harp like this or use ready made chordbars that are available somewhere? Or did you make your own chordbars? There is ZERO info on this instrument ANYWHERE on the net... but I' love to get one... please let me know....
I perform with another person. She is very gifted musically. I'm not, as far as playing any instruments. I have a hard time playing the melody on my Oscar Schmidt chromatic. I think I could do quite well with the keyboard you show here. I can play a melody line easily on a piano, so this looks quite simple to me. Is it possible to change out the bars on my harp to the bars you show here and would that work or would I have to have my harp totally restrung in some other fashion as well as changing the bars? And where would I get those wonderful bars you are using?
+Doree Stone Not a job you can easily do yourself. Your best met would be to try luthier Pete Daigle at daigleharp.com, but Pete usually will make a set only for a 'harp body also ordered from him. I might be willing to sell my older 37 string Pete made for me to you or any other interested party. You can see and hear that 'harp on several vids on my youtube site. If you're interested, send me you remail address and we can talk direct via email rather than publically here on my youtube site. BUT, in either case, I suggest you try such a 'harp first. to be sure it will let you do what you want do with it. If you come to the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Festival the last week of June, near Newport, PA, I will have my keyboard 'harps there and would be glad to let you try one out. You can find out more and register for the festival at mlag.org .
Thanks, Steve. I think you've created what I'm looking for (in addition to my other 4 'harps. I'm a singer/songwriter, and I often write songs that I can't play on my autoharps; yours is the answer! Do I contact you or Pete for further discussion?
Hey Doug. Probably start with me to refine exactly what you are looking for, and then contact Pete. Usually when folks contact Pete, he asks them to talk to me first to be sure about what features they want, etc. Also, if you are interested in a 37 string version, rather than the 46 or 49 string versions, I still have my older 37 string B2 to B5 'harp, the first one Pete built for me, that I would be willing to sell to an interested party. You can see that 'harp in the Singin' In the Rain vid on my youtube site. Send me your email address and we can continue any other conversations in a more direct way.
OK; this isn't an immediate situation (as I don't have the $$ right now for a new 'harp). However, I'm interested in a very full sound in a variety of keys, plus, of course, the chromatic possibilities for all the 4- & 5-note chords, so I like the idea of the 46 or, even better, 49 strings. So, I would like to talk with you to understand the variety of models. Is there a time we could talk, evenings or Fri, Sat, Sundays?
Almost any of those times could work, given my particular schedule in any given week. Tomorrow night (Tuesday), or Wednesday night , or Thursday night, could be good this week. But rather than continuing to post this info to my public RUclips comments section, give me your personal email address, to which I will email you back from my personal email address to exchange phone numbers and continue the conversation.
hi! i am about to get one of these but i cant seem to find the answer to this questions: can you press two buttons at the same time? can you make major 7th chords or diminished chords?
Just like it shows in the video, you must press down one button for each note you wish to sound. For example, to play a C Maj chord you press down the C, E, and G bars at the same time. To play a C7, you press down four bars at the same time, the C, E, G, and Bb. To play a Cdim7, to press down the C, Eb, Gb, and A bars. You can play any and all chord and note combinations you can play on a piano keyboard, but must press down at the same time all the bars which contain the notes which you wish to sound.
oh.. i thought this was the modern version of the instrument.. this one seems to have more chord posibilities.. i dont know, im gonna research more but thank you anyway
So what exactly kind of autoharp is this? I can tell it's a diatonic, but where do you buy 46 string autoharps with a keyboard like that? The only thing I"ve been able to find online is the chromatic Oscar Schmidt 36 string models.
+mcneillmama50 Actually all the 'harps on my web site, the 37 string, the 46 string, and he 49 string, are all chromatic, strung on a 12 note full chromatic scale, with no doubled strings. This is required for the keyboard chord bar set to work correctly, plus it fills in those missing low octave and bass notes missing on a conventional 36 or 37 string chromatic 'harp for a much richer sound. Luthier Pete D'Aigle at daigleharp.com custom made all my 'harps for me, and also is an Oscar Schmidt dealer as well as making a wide variety of superior autoharps of his own design in a variety of price ranges.
+David Russell Nope, not too complicated, but adjustment is critical. There are metal brackets which descend between the strings from the bottom of the chord bar ending in a small damping pad which damps the strings FROM UNDERNEATH by the upward pressure of the chord bar springs, all the C notes for the C bar, all the C# notes for the C# bar, etc. To play a chord you press down all the note bars for that chord as shown in the video to release those notes to sound. As for the pics I use, they are ACRI metal picks, available in either brass or stainless steel from elderly.com and other good music stores. They must be sized, bended, and fitted carefully to your own particular fingers to work at their best, but then stay on securely but comfortably simply by licking or damping your fingers to first slide them in place on each finger. The stainless steel ones also last forever with little to no pitting or wear. ACRI also makes a metal thumb pick, which is good for many people, but for my playing style I now prefer to bend and modify one of the large finger picks to use on my thumb, which allows me to thumb stroke both up and down with security and speed. You can see my current thumb pick on either the Sleigh Ride or Maple Leaf Rag videos.
Short answer is no. Most of us autoharpers try a wide variety of picks, plastic, metal, acrylic fingernails, and even bare fingers. This is an old video when I was still learning and experimenting, and I have come a long way since then. Furthermore, I no longer have this particular 'harp since I sold it to a Nashville musician some years back. Check out some of my other more recent videos on my RUclips site for a better idea of sound quality.
WOW!!!! This is definitely for the more knowledgeable musician but it has way more ablility than most of us autoharpers ever imagined to be possible.
I'd love a 49 string version (4 Octaves) from F to F so I have a fun Range.
Both of my keyboard autoharps were custom built to my specifications by autoharp luthier Pete Daigle. Pete also had some further ideas of his own to further enhance the smoothness and play of the chord bar action. You can reach him and see samples of his work by googling him at d'Aigle Autoharps. Click on the "Custom Work" tab on his site, and you'll see a picture of me with the first 'harp he made for me, along with numberous other custom 'harps. You should contact him directly for prices, etc.
This is such a great video. I never saw an autoharp like this. And yes, so many chords you can play!
Roeleke
Thank you very much for this video, Steve.
This is awesome! Please mass produce it!
@autoharper1 i came across your video while looking for an idea of what the auto-harp sounds like. the way your sign is placed makes it seem like a warning that with the auto-harp territory comes a plethora of koalas to be weary of along the 15 km-long path of learning.
just gave me a quick laugh.
thanks for posting the video. it's very informative and you clearly have a hobby you enjoy very much.
Nice! When I was new to the autoharp I designed one with exactly the same principle, but I still haven't finished it.
Oh, so, neat. Well done Steve.
Thanks soo much Brother. I'm gonna get right on this What an excellent invention.
Can you say me how or where I can buy this instrument? I mean a real keyboard Auto harp like this and not a regular auto harp? I live in Switzerland. Thanks!
thats very clear and interesting. ive always been kind of attracted the the autoharp but as a guitarist/keyboardist, i rather like this autoharp keyboard style
And it's getting to where none of the music stores carry authoharps in their stores. They have to be ordered.
This is exactly what I have been looking for - I wonder where I could get one?
You can order one from luthier Pete d'Aigle at
www.daigleharp.com
Beautiful sounding 'harp! With only twelve buttons, I think people could be sucessful - to start, with strumming, in a short order. Playing melody, in my opinion, would take much practice, but isn't every instrument that way? I think this is a very serious improvement on autoharps, and would like to see it flourish!
WHERE CAN WE FIND THIS AUTO HARP!!! I"M DESPERATELY SEARCHING!!!!!!!!
@snoedaer Well, yes I got that Koala "traffic sign" on a trip down under a number of years back. Are you an autoharper too, or just an aussie-o-phile?
Did you buy this Harp like this or use ready made chordbars that are available somewhere? Or did you make your own chordbars? There is ZERO info on this instrument ANYWHERE on the net... but I' love to get one... please let me know....
I perform with another person. She is very gifted musically. I'm not, as far as playing any instruments. I have a hard time playing the melody on my Oscar Schmidt chromatic. I think I could do quite well with the keyboard you show here. I can play a melody line easily on a piano, so this looks quite simple to me. Is it possible to change out the bars on my harp to the bars you show here and would that work or would I have to have my harp totally restrung in some other fashion as well as changing the bars? And where would I get those wonderful bars you are using?
+Doree Stone Not a job you can easily do yourself. Your best met would be to try luthier Pete Daigle at daigleharp.com, but Pete usually will make a set only for a 'harp body also ordered from him. I might be willing to sell my older 37 string Pete made for me to you or any other interested party. You can see and hear that 'harp on several vids on my youtube site. If you're interested, send me you remail address and we can talk direct via email rather than publically here on my youtube site. BUT, in either case, I suggest you try such a 'harp first. to be sure it will let you do what you want do with it. If you come to the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Festival the last week of June, near Newport, PA, I will have my keyboard 'harps there and would be glad to let you try one out. You can find out more and register for the festival at mlag.org .
+Steve Brown I did call them after I commented here. Yes, please feel free to contact me via my Facebook page or via doree.stone@gmail.com. Thank you.
Thanks, Steve. I think you've created what I'm looking for (in addition to my other 4 'harps. I'm a singer/songwriter, and I often write songs that I can't play on my autoharps; yours is the answer! Do I contact you or Pete for further discussion?
Hey Doug. Probably start with me to refine exactly what you are looking for, and then contact Pete. Usually when folks contact Pete, he asks them to talk to me first to be sure about what features they want, etc. Also, if you are interested in a 37 string version, rather than the 46 or 49 string versions, I still have my older 37 string B2 to B5 'harp, the first one Pete built for me, that I would be willing to sell to an interested party. You can see that 'harp in the Singin' In the Rain vid on my youtube site. Send me your email address and we can continue any other conversations in a more direct way.
OK; this isn't an immediate situation (as I don't have the $$ right now for a new 'harp). However, I'm interested in a very full sound in a variety of keys, plus, of course, the chromatic possibilities for all the 4- & 5-note chords, so I like the idea of the 46 or, even better, 49 strings. So, I would like to talk with you to understand the variety of models. Is there a time we could talk, evenings or Fri, Sat, Sundays?
Almost any of those times could work, given my particular schedule in any given week. Tomorrow night (Tuesday), or Wednesday night , or Thursday night, could be good this week. But rather than continuing to post this info to my public RUclips comments section, give me your personal email address, to which I will email you back from my personal email address to exchange phone numbers and continue the conversation.
Hi, where can I find this particular autoharp. How much it costs?
Thanks
Vincent
hi! i am about to get one of these but i cant seem to find the answer to this questions:
can you press two buttons at the same time?
can you make major 7th chords or diminished chords?
Just like it shows in the video, you must press down one button for each note you wish to sound. For example, to play a C Maj chord you press down the C, E, and G bars at the same time. To play a C7, you press down four bars at the same time, the C, E, G, and Bb. To play a Cdim7, to press down the C, Eb, Gb, and A bars. You can play any and all chord and note combinations you can play on a piano keyboard, but must press down at the same time all the bars which contain the notes which you wish to sound.
oh.. i thought this was the modern version of the instrument.. this one seems to have more chord posibilities.. i dont know, im gonna research more but thank you anyway
So what exactly kind of autoharp is this? I can tell it's a diatonic, but where do you buy 46 string autoharps with a keyboard like that? The only thing I"ve been able to find online is the chromatic Oscar Schmidt 36 string models.
+mcneillmama50 Actually all the 'harps on my web site, the 37 string, the 46 string, and he 49 string, are all chromatic, strung on a 12 note full chromatic scale, with no doubled strings. This is required for the keyboard chord bar set to work correctly, plus it fills in those missing low octave and bass notes missing on a conventional 36 or 37 string chromatic 'harp for a much richer sound. Luthier Pete D'Aigle at daigleharp.com custom made all my 'harps for me, and also is an Oscar Schmidt dealer as well as making a wide variety of superior autoharps of his own design in a variety of price ranges.
Wow. The mechanics must be complicated. I'm fascinated, too, by your finger picks. Where did they come from? Mine are always at risk of flying off.
+David Russell Nope, not too complicated, but adjustment is critical. There are metal brackets which descend between the strings from the bottom of the chord bar ending in a small damping pad which damps the strings FROM UNDERNEATH by the upward pressure of the chord bar springs, all the C notes for the C bar, all the C# notes for the C# bar, etc. To play a chord you press down all the note bars for that chord as shown in the video to release those notes to sound. As for the pics I use, they are ACRI metal picks, available in either brass or stainless steel from elderly.com and other good music stores. They must be sized, bended, and fitted carefully to your own particular fingers to work at their best, but then stay on securely but comfortably simply by licking or damping your fingers to first slide them in place on each finger. The stainless steel ones also last forever with little to no pitting or wear. ACRI also makes a metal thumb pick, which is good for many people, but for my playing style I now prefer to bend and modify one of the large finger picks to use on my thumb, which allows me to thumb stroke both up and down with security and speed. You can see my current thumb pick on either the Sleigh Ride or Maple Leaf Rag videos.
Thanks, Steve! I'm grateful for the information.
Wouldnt it sound much nicer played with a thick plastic pick where you wouldn't get all that scraping noise?
Short answer is no. Most of us autoharpers try a wide variety of picks, plastic, metal, acrylic fingernails, and even bare fingers. This is an old video when I was still learning and experimenting, and I have come a long way since then. Furthermore, I no longer have this particular 'harp since I sold it to a Nashville musician some years back. Check out some of my other more recent videos on my RUclips site for a better idea of sound quality.
So it's like playing a piano?
I want one, can I buy you one, please?
You can order and purchase one from luthier Ken Ellis at www.whippoorwillacoustics.com
look out 4 koarlas
KOALAS NEXT 15KM