This class is designed for new players and those who have been playing a short time and are in need of guidance. However, seasoned players who see a need to “start over” and revise cumbersome habits blocking their progress are welcome, too.

All the skills you need to play the autoharp rock-solid, on your own and with your music-making friends, will be taught from the very beginning, step by step. Once we set up our autoharps for playing (upright and flat-on-the-lap), Lucille will gradually introduce how to stroke, strum, pinch and brush, all with the help of several familiar songs. Related how-tos include: chording by feel; the easy way to play any rhythm; chording by ear; understanding how melody and harmony fit together; developing a touch on the strings that feels easy and sounds great; reducing/eliminating pick noise; rumble strips, recoil and roller coasters; playing like you mean it (because you do!); etc. As always, Lucille welcomes your autoharping questions.

This is your time to expand your music-making horizons by playing a lot to gain as much experience as you can, toward a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

The essential items needed for this class, which you may wish to gather sooner than later, are: a chromatic or GD diatonic autoharp (we will play in G and D major); one flat pick of medium, medium-heavy or heavy thickness (avoid flat picks marked “thin”); three well-fitting finger picks and a secure, sturdy thumb pick. Also, know that a long-belted hip pouch, filled with peanuts in the shell, holds an autoharp upright and stable without arm support, while lap players will gain stability by attaching an adjustable guitar strap to the autoharp that goes around the small of the back. The rest of the materials list (very short) will be sent to class members via email closer to the Gathering.