Playing upright or “Appalachian style”

Standard autoharps (right handed)

Early autoharps were played on a tabletop or on the player’s lap. The chords were usually played with the left hand while the strings were played with the right hand in the area between the chord set and the anchor end of the instrument. Playing the autoharp “Appalachian style”, or upright hugged to the chest, was popularized in the 1950s by Maybelle Carter. “Appalachian style” allows the player to perform standing and to play in the “sweet spot”, that more musical area of the strings above the chord bars. Most of the autoharps made today are intended to be played that way. To play these modern, right handed autoharps on the lap or table would usually mean playing left handed, crossing the hands, or playing the strings at the harsher sounding anchor end.

Crossing the hands to play a right handed autoharp lap style

Left handed autoharps and lap playing

A left handed autoharp is a mirror image or the reverse of a right handed autoharp

Lefty and righty

Left handed autoharps are the mirror image of right handed autoharps. They are just the thing for left handed players to play upright. For right handed players the orientation is reversed such that the left hand can play the chords and the right hand can play in the “sweet spot” area of the strings without having to cross the hands.

Playing the left handed autoharp lap style

There are several advantages to playing the left handed autoharp this way:

1. It’s a very comfortable way for the right handed musician to play. The left hand “pumps”the chord bars and the more deft right hand plays the strings.
2. It’s kinder to the player’s back, shoulders, and arms particularly for players with   physical health issues, joint pain, short arms, and those who prefer to sit.
3. It’s easier to see and hear your instrument. The chord bars and string array are right there in front of you for easier orientation. The sound rises to your hearing instead of being projected away.
4.  Autoharps are heavier than many stringed instruments and playing them upright often requires a strap with the hassle and risks of strapping in. Straps (around the back) may be used with lap playing but are not usually necessary.

Manufacturers such as ChromaHarp and Oscar Schmidt haven’t produced “lefties” for decades. Most were of unconventional design such as the bulky ChromaHarp Caroler and the “Attache” style instruments by both ChromaHarp and Oscar Schmidt. A few may be found in thrift shops or online auction sites but they are becoming increasingly scarce. The best left handed autoharps can be ordered from almost any autoharp luthier. The higher cost represents the greater value of a handcrafted instrument with useful options and modern improvements.