A Autoharp occurs as zither-like musical string instrument having a series of chord blocks tied to dampers which, when depressed, mute all a strings more than people that form the desired chord. It has been the registered trademark since 1927, and is presently owned by U.S. Music Corporation, whose Oscar Schmidt division manufactures Autoharps. A generic term for the instrument is chorded cither.

Autoharps keep around been ordinarily utilized in the United States as bluegrass and folk instruments. It is known for existence convenient to view.

There exists debate across a originality of the Autoharp. The German immigrant inside Philadelphia by the name of Charles F. Zimmermann patented within 1882 the project for improvements on the traditional harp that included pull mechanisms for muting certain strings in the period of play. He coined his invention a "autoharp." Unlike late Autoharps, a shape of a instrument was harmonious, & a felt-bearing blocks moved horizontally against the strings instead of vertically. These are non known in case Zimmermann ever produced commercially any instruments of this early project. Christian August Gütter of Markneukirchen, Germany had built the model that he known as the "Volkszither" which virtually all resembles a Autoharp played in todays world. Gütter found the British patent for his instrument circa 1883-1884. Zimmermann, fallowing giving from either the visit to Germany, began production of the Gütter project inside 1885 however by using his have project patent number and catchy title. Gütter's instrument became super popular & Zimmermann hwhen typically been mistaken as a artificer.

Modern Autoharps use at times extra strings, as much as 36, & came inside diatonic and chromatic scales. Although the Autoharp is considered a rhythm instrument, the melody has been involved at the same time & produces a fresh dimension to its utility.