More Than One Student On An Autoharp

Submitted by Sue Michiels, California

Idea posted June 3, 2004

Here is how to have more than one student playing on an autoharp:

Left person strums while right person presses the buttons. Third finger right hand on C major, second (middle finger) on G7, and first finger (index) on F major.

The two students begin just by up/down strumming, then add G7 up/down, then put the two together up/down on C major, and then up/down on G7. Next, we learn the standard rock and roll sequence (C major, F major, G7, C major; this is the accompaniment to "Whacky Sounds" from Music K-8, Vol. 10, No. 5). I also teach "Yankee Doodle" as the initial accompaniment so they learn and get used to chord patterns.

Number One strums on the left, Number Two presses the buttons, and Number Three strums on right hand side of the bars. I have Number One strum the low notes and Number Three strum the high notes. Number One passes the plectrum to Number Two, then Number One stands up and moves to the Number Three's position. Number Two becomes the strummer on the left, etc.

Number One strums low, Number Two pushes the buttons, and Number Three strums the middle notes on right. Number Four is standing opposite of Number One and strums the high notes.