The auto harp is a 32 string a zither instrument, so essentially a guitar/harp hybrid. In order to create the chords (or the things that make music) you press a button, a bar comes down and silences the strings that don't belong to the chord. So you're able to just effortlessly strum across the instrument. It has a wonderful full sound that a guitar doesn't quite have, more like a harp. But with a more rustic sound. I absolutely adore it.
Ring of Fire was originally co-written on the Auto Harp by June Carter Cash. here's a great recording of it:
I've got a really crappy autoharp that I ram away on here and there, but I'm looking to replace it with a decent one. But I've got other things Im looking to purchase, too. Argh, more string instruments of course....
My Social Studies teacher from 7th grade used to play an autoharp for us as a treat. He was a wild old hippie who believed in UFOs and government conspiracies. He never told any students where he lived and would take a different route home every night in case anyone was following him. He would sing, too, and he had a good voice. When he was in a really wild mood he would entertain us by playing a recorder with his nose. This is the kind of stuff you can't make up.
