How Do You Spell AUTOHARP?

Pronunciation: [ˌɔːtə͡ʊhˈɑːp] (IPA)

The word "Autoharp" refers to a musical instrument that has strings stretched across a wooden frame. Its name is pronounced as /aw-tuh-hahrp/ and is spelled as per its components - "auto" meaning self and "harp" meaning a stringed instrument. The spelling of the word Autoharp is in accordance with the International Phonetic Alphabet, where the letter "a" is pronounced with a short /aw/ sound while the letter "o" is pronounced with a long /oh/ sound.

AUTOHARP Meaning and Definition

1. The autoharp is a stringed musical instrument that falls under the zither family. It consists of a wooden or plastic body that slightly resembles a guitar, typically with 36 to 37 strings. The strings are divided into different sections, with each section having multiple strings tuned to the same pitch. The body of the autoharp is equipped with a series of buttons or bars known as chord bars, which are used to mute the strings, creating chords when pressed.

   To play the autoharp, the musician typically holds the instrument against their chest and uses their non-dominant hand to press specific chord bars. By strumming or plucking the strings with their other hand, the musician can produce chords that correspond to the pressed buttons. This makes the autoharp an incredibly accessible instrument for novice musicians, as pressing the buttons allows for immediate chordal harmony without the need to learn complex fingerings.

   The autoharp is frequently used in folk music, particularly American folk and country traditions. Its distinct sound and ease of use have made it a popular choice among singer-songwriters and folk musicians alike. Additionally, the autoharp has also found its way into various other music genres, including rock, pop, and even some classical compositions.

Common Misspellings for AUTOHARP

• zutoharp
• sutoharp
• wutoharp
• qutoharp
• aytoharp
• ahtoharp
• ajtoharp
• aitoharp
• a8toharp
• a7toharp
• auroharp
• aufoharp
• augoharp
• auyoharp
• au6oharp
• au5oharp
• autiharp
• autkharp
• autlharp
• autpharp

Etymology of AUTOHARP

The word "Autoharp" is a compound word derived from two separate terms: "auto-" and "harp".

1. "Auto-" comes from the Greek word "autos", meaning "self". It is frequently used as a prefix in English to indicate something related to or being done by oneself or automatically.

2. "Harp" refers to a musical instrument characterized by a frame with multiple strings, which are typically plucked or strummed to produce sound.

Therefore, the term "Autoharp" combines these elements to describe a self-playing or automatic harp-like instrument.

Plural form of AUTOHARP is AUTOHARPS