au·to·harp

or Au·to·harp (ô′tō-härp′)

A musical instrument resembling a zither equipped with a row of buttons, each of which damps all of the strings except those forming a desired chord.

[Originally a trademark.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Autoharp

(ˈɔːtəʊˌhɑːp)

(Instruments) trademark a zither-like musical instrument used in country-and-western music, equipped with button-controlled dampers that can prevent selected strings from sounding, thus allowing chords to be played. It is plucked with the fingers or a plectrum

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Au•to•harp

(ˈɔ toʊˌhɑrp)
n.

a zither having buttons that when depressed damp all strings except those to be sounded.

[1880–85]

Autoharp

A small zither-like musical instrument popular in the early twentieth century.

Mentioned in

instrument

References in periodicals archive

NO STRINGS: Bill Homan, 5, and Katie McLaren, 4, make music on an autoharp at a workshop at Bilton Infant School.

Harping on about music and fun

Keller's daughter Gail Keller and son-in-law Palmer Otterbach will accompany her as she plays her autoharp and sings folk favorites.

Musicians stay young at heart

Now 95, Keller will help the popular Eugene band celebrate its 17th anniversary with an opening set where she'll sing and play her autoharp with family members and a guest violinist.

A 95-year-old musician who's happy to share her joy of life

Music will include the Matt Tredor Group with vocalist Halie Loren and Mark `Mo' Snyder on bass; Will Sing for Change, an a cappella vocal ensemble; Carol Melia, director of the Marcottes; Will and Jean Marcotte with Dianne Dugaw, old-time folk music with vocals, guitar, mandolin and autoharp; Rich Glauber, high-energy interactive singer/composer; Beth Miriam Rose, folk vocals and guitar; Art Richards, nationally known jazz performer; Nan Brun, folk vocals and guitar; Sherry Tolman, spiritual and peace soloist; and the reigning Slug Queen Slugretha Latifah Uleafa Gastropodia Jackson, aka T.K.

THE BULLETIN

We received several pianos, a trombone, cornet, saxophone, clarinet, violin, cello, upright bass, accordion, banjo, guitar, autoharp, gamelan, a 12-foot brass ballet barre for the dance studio and a gorgeous, concert-quality, pedal harp!

OPINION

Representing the white, middle-age male is folk legend Bryan Bowers, who brings his autoharp folk magic Tuesday to Luna.

Entertainers put variety on display

For nearly three decades, folk legend Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo, according to a news release from Luna, where Bowers will be Tuesday for a CD release party.

BRIEFLY

Along with slack-key guitar (ki ho`alu), Kaapana also plays ukulele, autoharp, bass, steel guitar and other instruments.

Guitarist brings that sweet island sound to mainland

The McMahons perform vocals, guitar, banjo, dobro, string bass and autoharp. CDs available for purchase, free-will offering.

THE BULLETIN

He also enjoyed writing poetry and playing the piano, the clarinet and the autoharp. He especially enjoyed playing pinochle.

OBITUARIES

She also sings on several songs and plays banjo, bass and Autoharp.

`Hellbilly' Hank hits town again

"We've also got harmoniums, a thing called a Marxophone - which is like an autoharp but with keys that bounce off the strings making a sound that's like The Third Man theme - and my dad, who is 90, lent me his upright piano.

Christmas with the songwriters' songwriter