Autoharp Beginners: the easiest strum: "Rocker" "SWA"

[@TracyKMainwaring]

I wondered how players knew which strings to strum, didn't realize it was to accent beat 1. I'm trying to decide if I want to add an autoharp to my instrument collection

[@bjhale7314]

Thank you for your very helpful teaching I have been playing for 3 weeks now I am 73 Years old

[@adeleetherton2665]

Wow... I am 70, and I love the sound, have a harp, but, not very musical.. I think I may try my hand at it!!

[@aribella6913]

I just got an Autoharp and am so excited to find you.

[@angiepark9674]

Where did you get your harp?

[@aribella6913]

@ I bought mine from a woman on Facebook Marketplace. It was rather new and she had a surgery that she would be able to learn to play so she sold it.

[@edwardmontoya50]

Thank you for this informative and well organized lesson. I recently purchased an autoharp and have been looking for good online resources. You get a lovely time out of your instrument without too much excess artifact noise that is inherently associated with the autoharp.

[@elizabethbarringer2791]

Have been flirting with the autoharp since kindergarten I'm now 61 I've owned different instruments throughout the years and I'm self-taught these are actually my first lessons I have a new autoharp as they've come and gone throughout my life but it needs tuning but I'm loving the way I can find this on the internet before it was just me on a figure it out yourself so thank you very much definitely did subscribe. Now retired and have time to dedicate to really making some music and acquire some better skills and techniques thank you

[@c_farther5208]

I hear"rocker rocker" in my brain. You are absolutely right, words help to get that rhythm especially when you're rhythm disabled like me. Also, it helps to keep my right wrist level.

[@maryignatius4010]

Just found your videos and subscribed to your channel. Thank you so much for the help to encourage my 'harping. God Bless your for simple yet challenging lessons.

[@mcneillmama50]

Love my AH's. It's my portable grand piano. Whatever I play on piano I can perform on autoharp. Autoharps are conversation starters. Play your ah in a park on a fall afternoon and guaranteed ppl will stop&ask questions about your music

[@michaelmcraemusic]

Howdy! I’m checking you out, brother! I need a good jump start to my autoharp playing and I think you fit the bill! Thanks for doing what you do!!!

[@jasminehoover5359]

Thanks so much. I really need some autoharp videos this simple. 👍

[@hartvenessa]

Excellent teaching style !

[@jadenrudnicki4605]

Just got one. Great starter video!

[@wendysmobilehomesweethome423]

Hello Hal! I spoke to you several years ago about lessons with you online, but life happened and I wasnt able to pursue it. Fast forward to today....and Ive pulled my harp out and kicked myself several times for letting what was a brand new Autoharp sit for years without touching it. I bought this for myself as a retirement gift....no gold watch for me, but Id rather have my Autograph instead!! Are you still doing the Patreon thing? I guess I could have just looked....but anyway, I am determined now to learn to play more than some awkward strumming. Are you still working with Pete? Anyway, thank you for still having these videos up! They are tremendously helpful!

[@michelec2492]

ty for helping me im geting so god at doing if

[@mikehanopol7755]

Great Video!! always wanted to know how to play this instrument.... Just for giggles ... I like the part on 6:38 you can use these fingers....

[@zerimar9364]

my mom gave me an autoharp so I’m trying to learn something new 😊

[@MM-pj4bl]

Starting the MAP here 👍👍

[@riceski]

I have a chance to purchase one of these without the piece where you press for chords. Would you advise it - even for 20 dollars? The rest of it is there and in p pretty good shape. Where would I find the part missing?

[@chadcrawford1502]

My mother was a Bass Fiddle player and one played autoharp in her bluegrass band. I am not trying to learn autoharp i was just curious how one was played been so long. LOL many vids i watch i hear squeaking chairs. I am literally going to master playing a song on squeaky desk chairs. I really am going to try and probably will be the first to squeak my chair to play out a song in squeaky chair. Every vid i watch so many play the chair leaning back so i really am going to try to squeak a chair to a song riff.

[@laurastokes4777]

very clear and well done

[@marilynmosbeck3346]

What type of picks do u use, metal or plastic are the best.

[@imapseudonym7503]

Thanks for this Hal!

[@MrPyroguru]

I wonder if Angels play Harps?

[@docwho1912]

Very curious to get recommendations on an appropriate autoharp to purchase for our family. We have 7yo triplets and both of us are musical, as well. Anyone?

[@wildautoharp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3vEpH1sr82aZ9U

[@sheilacoppola4748]

This is AWESOME thank YOU!

[@arachne8x]

Hey Hal. When I use the rocker I'm never sure how far apart my thumb and finger should be. Should the down strum end up playing the same strings as the up string or do you have an offset when you do it?

[@wildautoharp]

Hi there. The answer is "yes"! The rocker, being the root of all the other strums, becomes all things. If it is playing the same strings, it becomes a melody tool for fast back and forth picking, even of single strings in succession. Spread out a little more, it's for doing rhythms. The most versatile strum of all!

[@ReneiYarrow]

Thank you!!

[@obijon2112]

Great instruction! Thank you!!!!

[@wildautoharp]

Thank you for watching!

[@sandracrawn623]

i have called a lot of people here in ga to try and get my auto harp cleaned and re strung and tuned , bought it used to learn , any suggustions for any one near ga

[@wildautoharp]

Bob Lewis, autoharpworks.com six mile SC is the nearest!

[@sandracrawn623]

@@wildautoharp thank you, the other person i called said throw it away get one that is tuned , wow.

[@wildautoharp]

@@sandracrawn623 Wow is right! When we get a used one, (which makes sense financially) theres often so much that needs to be done before we can play, that it no longer makes sense financially! $70 worth of strings, $50 worth of felt, not to mention labor....sometimes we've doubled what we paid. And if it's one of the old black ones, it MIGHT not survive being strung and tuned up. The old black ones collapse within a few minutes to months sometimes, and there's no way to know...it's a crapshoot. So sometimes the old ones DON"T make sense. Most harps from about 1970 on however have pretty good body integrity as long as the seams are tight.

[@annhapp8013]

Thank You!! So very helpful!!!

[@IETCHX69]

Yer kinda cute , for a beautiful gal, with an adorable face and nice hair . Hey BACK of girl , I'm here for a lesson, Oh all right , come an gitcherLuvn .!

[@celenapierce638]

Do you have venmo?

[@sandracrawn623]

thank you ,

[@MsBender1979]

Can I person with tiny hands play the autoharp? I have very small hands and handspan... :(

[@servantfromthelordyeshuaha]

Hello, If you watch at 5 minits, you see that he moves his hand back and forth from the middle to middle so it does't matter, if you have little hands, Are you playing it now? Y am learning, just observe and practice, It is very nice to learn, and praise the Lord, with this instrument, it is a blessing to me, 🙋‍♀️👍🕊

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

Of course you can!

[@nayvalleyman1243]

Where do you suggest I order one from?

[@wildautoharp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3vEpH1sr82aZ9U It depends on your budget, your commitment, your level of experience and what is available wherever in the world you are. I made this video to address the issues that everyone should know about before buying something bad.

[@michellestevans4263]

I must borrow your ears, please?! Appalachian style is ok, but I am only starting and "it" ( by the infamous "they") suggested placing harp on table?!?! My T, I -T, I and pinch pluck is coming together after the breaks you recommended

[@DEEMONEY223]

YOU ARE GOOD...🙏X3

[@mattbenmusic3763]

Just bough my autoharp and seing the video. Jajajaja

[@mjremy2605]

Position your camera lower. Half the harp is cut off from view.

[@sandracrawn623]

totally lost me

[@wildautoharp]

I'm sorry....anything I can do to get you found??

[@brendajeankellett7394]

Thank you!