How Do You Change Autoharp Chord Bars?
The autoharp is a fun and easy instrument to pick up. It relies on a series of felted “chord bars” that when depressed mute certain strings. The remaining strings make up musical chords that can be strummed without any knowledge of finger placements (as with a guitar, for instance). Over time the felt or chord bar wears down and must be replaced. Take a screwdriver and in typical counterclockwise motion remove screws from the chord-bar casing. Lift the selected chord bar from its end pins (taking care not to disturb supporting springs). Notice where the felts are on an old bar so that the replacement bar’s felts will be in the same places. Install the new chord bar in the empty slot (making sure its felts are in the same places as the old). Reinstall the chord-bar casing. Tune and test the chord button for accurate sound.
