Also, on Sunday, May 7, at 2:00PM, I'm giving a one-hour presentation on "Introduction to Autoharps" at a Folk festival in Columbus, Ohio. (I'm also doing one on Appalachian Dulcimers at noon. I am not as prepared on the dulcimers as I am on the autoharps, but they were desperate for someone to do it.)
To prepare, I'm cleaning up and tuning somewhere between 15 and 20 autoharps of all shapes and sizes, from "The Favorite" and the "Easy Chord" to Model 73s and OS15s and 21s and two Bryan Bowers-tuned modern instruments, including the Sparrowharp I bought from you last year for my wife. I also found a nearly-playable 8-chord Model 72 7/8 harp, the kind Sarah Carter played. My plan is to give a brief history, then go through several 2- and 3-chord songs, with the possibility of demonstrating Bowers-style playing on simple tunes like "Boil that Cabbage Down."
I've attached a draft of my presentation handout in case you're interested. And the schedule.
Admission to the festival is donation-based "pay what you will." Lots of other stuff going on, so plan to make a day or weekend out of it, and contribute accordingly.
I did this presentation once before with less organization, and the day turned out to be so hot and muggy, that all the harps needed serious retuning at the last minute.
But folks were very enthusiastic, and one accomplished guitar player stuck around forever playing with one, and obviously considering getting one for himself. Hoping for better weather next month.Attachment:
Attachment:
No, it's not an "Autoharp festival," but we do what we can. Depending on interest, I may repeat it in other venues.