Autoharp and Kids

[horseandmusic]

I teach 4yo choir at our church, and tonight the lady who plans everything and gets the supplies was absent. When I looked at the list of activities, we were supposed to play handbells with Away in the Manger. I ran up to the resource room to get the bells, and could not find them. But wait--there, in the corner, was a dust-covered ChromaHarp. I picked it up, found it was pretty decently in tune, and let each and every kid play Away in the Manger while we all sang---again and again and again.... I hit the keys and the kids strummed. That was my first time on the autoharp, ever! It was fun, and so I brought it home to be tuned and loved on over the holidays. So how do you get 1/4 " deep dust out from under the strings?

[Patches]

You can get those cans that blow air you know for computers and other stuff and do it that way,being carefull.

[halfpint]

I used to teach preschool choir (ages 4-5) and they loved the chroma-harp that I had. For the ones that had trouble holding a pick, I would use either a very large pick, or better yet a door stopper - usually purchased in packs of 3 or 4 at the dollar store. My favorite picks for the Chroma Harp are the felt ones.

For getting dust out, I use a very thin stick purchased at a craft store (about 1/2 inch wide by about 1/8 inch think by about two feet long) that I have wrapped felt around. I also use it to clean under our Psaltery and hammered dulcimer.

Dawn

[DaveB]

Wrap a paper towel around a paint stirrer; you can spray it with EnDust if you like. If you want to be fancy, glue a strip of felt to the stirrer. I also use a 2½" paint brush for day-to-day dusting.

If it's really bad and you're comfortable with the idea, I'd also remove the chord bar assembly so I could clean under the strings more easily. If you do this, mind the springs -- they tend to lose themselves.

[horseandmusic]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try them on our psaltery too!

[Jim Yates]

Although I don't think it'll work with a large build-up, I use a paint brush for Autoharps, hammered dulcimers, psaltries and even sometimes on guitars, mandolins...

The ruler with a flannel rag suggested above is good for a little heavier dust.

[Patches]

Thats a neat idea a paint brush with the soft bristles and the ruler, the caned air can be a bit dangerouse as it gets cold{I learned that here }I didnt know that