autoharps
Bar-dampened string instruments
An autoharp is a stringed instrument played by strumming while pressing buttons that dampen all strings except those forming the desired chord.
The buttons make basic accompaniment accessible to beginners without learning fingering positions.
Despite the name, nothing is automatic—the player still strums and selects chords.
Common in folk and Appalachian music: She accompanied the ballad on her autoharp.
Flat stringed instrument, played horizontally
- stringsThin flexible lines
- chordsSimultaneous note combinations
- buttonsSmall disc fasteners
- strummingSweeping across guitar strings
diatonic · chromatic · folk instrument · plucking · soundhole · bridges · felt pads · dampers
Community-born acoustic songs
- AppalachianEastern U.S. mountain region
- bluegrassAcoustic Appalachian folk music
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- hymnsReligious songs of worship
campfire songs · old-time · dulcimer · ballads · sing-along · mountain music · Celtic · traditional
Sweeping across guitar strings
- pickingAct of selecting
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- arpeggiosChord notes played individually
button pressing · chord changes · tuning · restringing · thumb picks · finger picks · right hand · left hand
Educational instruction space
- elementaryOf first principles
- music educationTeaching and learning sound arts
- group instructionTeaching several simultaneously
- accessibleAble to be reached
children · workshops · method books · portable · affordable · therapy · special needs · seniors
zither
Flat stringed instrument, played horizontally
strumming · diatonic · chromatic · folk instrument · plucking · soundhole · bridges · felt pads · dampers · spruce
folk music
Community-born acoustic songs
- AppalachianEastern U.S. mountain region
- bluegrassAcoustic Appalachian folk music
- gospelSacred choral tradition
hymns · campfire songs · old-time · dulcimer · ballads · sing-along · mountain music · Celtic · traditional · country
strumming
Sweeping across guitar strings
- pickingAct of selecting
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
arpeggios · button pressing · chord changes · tuning · restringing · thumb picks · finger picks · right hand · left hand · dampening
classroom
Educational instruction space
- elementaryOf first principles
- music educationTeaching and learning sound arts
- group instructionTeaching several simultaneously
accessible · children · workshops · method books · portable · affordable · therapy · special needs · seniors · recreational
autoharpsclassical guitars
Acoustic instruments with nylon strings
violins · cellos · pipe organs · theremins
autoharpssynthesizers
Electronic sound-generating instruments
drum machines · digital pianos · wind instruments · brass instruments · percussion instruments