Autoharp — Lutherie Encyclopedia

AutoharpType: instrumentA chorded zither with damper bars that mute unwanted strings, allowing players to easily produce full chords by strumming.## History The autoharp was patented by Charles F. Zimmermann in 1882, though similar damper-bar chord zither designs may have existed earlier in Europe. The instrument was mass-produced and marketed through mail-order catalogs, becoming one of the most widely distributed instruments in late 19th and early 20th century America. Sears, Roebuck and Oscar Schmidt were major distributors. The autoharp found its deepest cultural roots in Appalachian music, where the Carter Family (particularly Maybelle and Sara Carter) made it an icon of American folk music. The instrument remains popular in folk music circles, music education, and Appalachian musical traditions, with a dedicated community of builders and performers advancing its capabilities. ## Construction The autoharp consists of a wooden box (typically 21 to 24 inches long and 12 inches wide) strung with 36 or 37 steel strings spanning approximately three octaves. Chord bars, each fitted with felt pads, cross the strings above the soundboard. When a chord bar is pressed down, it mutes all strings not belonging to that chord, leaving only the desired notes free to ring when the player strums across the strings. Standard autoharps have 12 to 21 chord bars, allowing play in several keys. The soundboard is spruce, the frame is hardwood, and the back is usually laminated wood. Fine-tuning pins anchor the strings, and a tuning wrench is used for adjustments. Modern autoharps may feature a more sophisticated bridge and string layou…