I started playing the Autoharp at the end of 1997. I was in an Avant Quark Rock band called Breastfed. We had a fiery year booking gigs and recording music. Then the lead guitarist quit. The band fell apart.
I was bummed but I learned one great thing from the break up. My songwriting sucked.
I see that now. Yes. It was quirky and fun. But lyrically, it was lacking. I also wasn’t a good guitarist. More than that, I didn’t want to be good. I wanted to sing and write songs.
My dad played every folk instrument under the sun growing up. He had autoharps. In fact, I took one to college with me. I just never played it… until Breastfed broke up.
I finally picked up the Autoharp. I placed it to my ear. I strummed. I did that over and over again just to feel more relaxed for a good month. It was magical.
Then I pulled out my Mel Bay autoharp book by Meg Peterson. It started learning strum patterns and sang along to old American folk songs. It was fun. And easy.
Over the next few months, I found myself walking to work at the Texas Department of Health twiddling my fingers, practicing different strum patterns on my chest and my office desk.
I’ve had many other musicians tell me I should learn another instrument. No other musical instrument ever touched me quite like this one.
One of the many things that struck me early on about the Autoharp was that it seems like an unexplored instrument. There are autoharpers who can play melody amazingly. But I have heard few people use it to it’s full capacity. It has five octaves after all. Surely someone could compose something incredible, almost symphonic…?
That was my thought in 2007 and 2008 when I started recording my Autoharp album, Heart’s Ease.
You can listen to the entire album on Spotify or do it for free on YouTube.
I wanted to explore its sounds. I wanted to write instrumental music. I wanted an instrument that could be like elven or faery music.
So I started recording melodies and sounds.
I created a riff and jammed on it. I let the tune evolve and grow. Occasionally, I threw on some cool effects on the instrument.
It was a pleasure and a joy to create. I’m very proud of the final result.
The one bummer… it didn’t sell well.
And that’s okay. As an artist, I created it for me. Sure, I wish I could’ve found a market for the album. There’s probably still one out there. I just don’t know how or where to find it.
Interestingly, Heart’s Ease is not the reason I am teaching at the California Autoharp Gathering. That actually goes back to my albums Happy Songs of Death and The Bridge. It was “perfected” with my Kilted Kings album, Name On My Soul.
The title track of that last album features what Mike Mueller of CAG calls a thumb lead.
To me, it’s rhythm and folk.
It gives the Autoharp a very modern rhythmic feel. It’s danceable. It’s upbeat and fun.
CAG brought me to the festival to teach my style. But I haven’t taught autoharp much. In fact, I finally released my first intro to Autoharp tutorial just this year on YouTube. I’m hoping to do more in the future. But we shall see.
Meantime, get started with your autoharp playing here.
Now I may not teach much, but I do have any incredible resource for anyone looking to own an autoharp.
It’s called the Autoharp Music Tips. It’s 100% free. I share all of my thoughts about how to buy your own autoharp, accessories to buy, the best songbooks, and links to other autoharpers.
As you hopefully read, you can listen to my Autoharp music for free all around the Internet. I’m planning an episode of the Pub Songs Podcast where I go deep into sharing more about Heart’s Ease. That too, like everything here is free.
In fact, I want you to download the album as well. You can get it for free. Just click the link.
But before you do…
I am a professional musician. I make a living by creating and sharing music. And I rely on the generosity of folks like you.
So if you enjoy this blog, the music, the videos, the podcasts, or any of the free stuff I share, please support my music.
You can name your price to own my Autoharp album. One dollar. Five. Ten. Twenty. Fifty. Whatever you feel it is worth to help me keep making music.
If the album doesn’t move you, that’s ok. I have over twenty albums that might.
Or if you just want to support me without buying, you can do something absolutely life changing.
Join my Gunn Runners Club on Patreon.
This is my very special community of people who love all that do. You will make it possible for me to make a living with my music, even as CD and digital music sales decrease.
You’ll hear new music I create. You’ll get exclusive podcasts. You’ll join me on the road. And you’ll get a behind the scenes look at life as a musician and the creative process.
If that sounds cool, give the Autoharp its due. Sign up today.
If you’re not ready for that, please make sure you get on my mailing list to read more blogs and engage with indie Celtic Geek autoharp music.
Slainte!
