Oscar Schmidt OS21C 21-Chord Autoharp, Maple Body, Gloss

Oscar Schmidt has defined the autoharp for over a century, and the OS21C is the standard-bearer: 21 chord bars, which is the full vocabulary for folk, gospel, and country accompaniment (the 15-chord models run out of keys quickly). The maple body is bright and loud, and the rock maple pin block is what keeps 36 strings holding their tuning between sessions. Press a bar, strum, and it is instantly music — which is why music therapists and elementary classrooms have never let go of it.

• 21 chords
• Maple body
• Stable tuning
• Classroom standard