Well, the Cyberpluckers got to talking about the fact that it would be really nice to have a place to go on the Web to hear sample of today's autoharpers doing their thing. I thought that was a pretty good idea, and since I've got the space and the skills to host a page of links, I volunteered to do that. So here it is: the unofficial Autoharp Listening Room. As you can see, the list is currently short, but I hope that it will increase in length over time as we discover more recordings already on the 'Net and as more autoharpers get busy with their spiffy computers and upload a few samples of their picking. If you have a link that you'd like added to this page, drop me a note with the address of the link and a short description of what we'll find there and I'll add it to the list.
I play autoharp, clarinet, hammered dulcimer, string bass, and bowed psaltery. I team up with Bill Corral, Seattle guitarist, mandolin player and singer for duo concerts, and also play in the Hot Lattes' Old Time String Band. Here are very much homemade recordings three autoharp tunes and a song sung by the band (a rare activity for us and the only one we've ever made a recording of) with autoharp accompaniment.
We play combinations of autoharp, guitar, bass, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer and often folks are interested in what these instruments sound like. On our J&H page (part of the Doofus Music site), you can hear a few samples of instrumentals.
Here's a quick and dirty recording of Cold Frosty Morning that I played into my Mac using the built-in mic and Audacity software.
The 1986 International Champion has released several recordings, on which she plays styles including Celtic, Appalachian and contemporary, accompanied by a variety of other instruments, from banjo to bagpipes. Samples are primarily in streaming RealAudio format, with an mp3 available as well.
I began playing the autoharp for my own amazement about 6 years ago. I've since progressed to the point that people actually ask to hear me play, which is another source of amazement! This link will take you to a very simple webpage with a .wav file playing in the background. The first time you visit the page, the music will play in fits and starts until it's fully loaded -- but will play normally after that. Enjoy!
I'm in a Country-Bluegrass Band and play autoharp, guitar, electric bass, and dulcimer. My autoharp style is mountain music, bluegrass, world folk, country, and gospel. The link will take you to listen to my "Country Sampler" CD and "Cyberkid-Rebekah, Down Home Family Band" CD. All except one of the children's songs include autoharp accompaniment. I write autoharp music books for Mel Bay Publishing on a regular basis and teach private lessons.