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No, not the old phone on the end of a cord...but
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Another one of my long line of restoration projects.
At first sight you'd say "Oh, yes, an autoharp"......but the leaflet describes it as "Conzert Piano Harp".
All these types of plucked instruments come under the title of 'Chordophones' and can then be subdivided further into a group called 'Zithers'.
They are all basically board resonators with strings stretched across the top.
The oldest in this group is the'Psaltery' which was found in Europe in the 11th century.
Others in this group include Board Zithers and the Appalachian Dulcimer. This later one not correctly named, as a true dulcimer is struck with hammers. It is more correctly termed a 'Plucked Appalachian Zither'.
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The above picture shows (1) a chord zither and (2) an autoharp.
Both instruments simplify the playing of accompaniments.....the chord zither has strings grouped as chords. Actually a three string triad and bass. The autoharp has dampers to damp all strings except those needed to perform a particular chord.
On the chord zither, the individual strings on the right hand side can be used to play a melody. Whether this is the same on the autoharp, I do not know. It would appear that you can only play chords, but I stand to be corrected. (Foody?)
Just posted up a video on Tracker-Bar - "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" (or to be strictly correct - Chorale from Church Cantata No 147 by J.S.Bach)
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Therefore my 'Chromatic Conzert Piano Harp' is nothing more than a 'Chord Zither'.
Here is a close-up of the chord strings. A thick bass string and a three string triad.
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With one missing string in the centre and a few more to the right. What I want to know is can you get short strings like this wound to order and how would you specify them. By thickness?
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I did think it was an autoharp until you said it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI don't know yet whether you can pick tunes as my harp never got as far as being plucked and now it's away with Alec Anness.
I wouldn't know if you can get strings to order but Alac might know. Ibet there's somebody out there who does them. Google them!
Which of those two shown is similar to yours? The right hand one with the dampers is the 'true' autoharp.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I have only ever seen them strummed. I shall search You-Tube to see one being played.
I shall make a note of your reference to Alec.....Thanks.
I've forgotten now that it is away with Alec, but I think it did have dampers.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember now if he was Alec or Alex but whatever the details I gave at the time were, they were correct.
I did replace a couple strings on one of these (don't know which type) as a favor to a friend. Tricky tuning. High break %. Anyway, what ever it was, I found that the supplier would only sell in sets. A full set of strings was $$$ considering the instrument! I was fortunate to find a music store that was willing to break up a set they had in stock (and was thoughtful enough to remind me that the tuning would not be chromatic).
ReplyDeleteYou must be getting a full set of new strings then Foody?
ReplyDeleteIt looks hard to play to me. I have put a vid. over on Tracker-Bar.
Deb, The single strings are no problem to me as they are only piano wire and it is simple to 'mike' them up and get the right wire gauge.
It will be a problem getting the wound bass strings. Some-one must wind them to order, surely?
I might get a full set. Have yet to see what it'll cost to do all that's necessary and if the thing is worth the money.
ReplyDeleteWill look at video.
Having seen the video of the autoharp on the other blog, I think now that mine looks very much like that, so I think it is an autoharp. The video was very inspiring. It wasn't you playing, was it? I think not cos he was wearing a wedding (or civil partnership) ring and you say you are single. Although singe people do wear wedding rings after they are no longer married (or partnered) for whatever reason.
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