A reader writes:

Hi Paul. I bought an OS 6 mini-autoharp after reading about it here [ https://riverboatmusic.com/autoharp/autoharp_small.htm ], on Ebay, for $30. Thought maybe I could get it workable enough to take camping with me. It was in excellent condition, in original box, with instructions (copyright 1981), a pick, and even a little record (remember those?) to play along with. One tuning pin was loose, and D7 needed re-felting, but other than that it was in good shape. It is made of wood, and hollow on the inside with a sound opening just like the large versions. I did those few repairs, tuned it, and added a couple of strap buttons and it's good to go. Thanks for the tip.

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I'm glad you're enjoying your "Easy-chord." Since I wrote that article, I've bought two of them and one of the Chromaharp 5-chord versions. And I have another Easy Chord on order from eBay for the next time I have a house full of kids over.

I recently did an autoharp presentation at a small regional festival. In preparation, I cleaned up and tuned up as many of my old autoharps as could be made playable. All shapes and sizes, from an EasyChord to a Caroler. At the end I passed them out and led everyone in 2-chord versions of "Old Joe Clark" and "Buffalo Girls." Everyone seemed to be having a blast, though I don't know how many will actually pick up an autoharp again.

A couple of weeks ago, two of my great-nieces were over, and I brought out the Easy-Chords for them to play. They played on them for hours, even going through an old song book looking for songs they knew and following the chords. Not a bad introduction to music for them. Too bad the OS6s were discontinued.

Taking an EasyChord camping (or backpacking) is a GREAT idea!

Thanks for sharing.

- Paul

The reader replied:

I am going to try mine with the grandkids as well. One (age 9) got a small guitar and is taking classical guitar lessons. He's been doing that for months now, and can't play a thing! But he loves to sing. His dad is learning mandolin and for some reason thinks classical guitar is what his son needs to learn. I am not opposed to that, it is just slow going!

I am going to find chords for easy stuff he loves to sing that will be fun for him to play, rather than the torture of guitar lessons and practice his parents are inflicting on him, which I am afraid may soon quash his love for music.