Simon's advice is very good and I suggest should be copied off and kept in your pocket ready for when you find an instrument.
I would like to advise on the finding.
First, it is very rare to find a ready made instrument off the peg. Beware of ebay, the only second hand instruments on ebay suitable for an inexperience player have gone for virtualy the same price as new instruments direct from makers. If you are very lucky you could at certain times of the year find a maker with a spare instrument as they will often make demo models for the exhibition season. They will be reluctant to sell these in the summer but, if they haven't been reserved, may still be available in the autumn; Claire Dugue sold her sole remaing instrument 3 weeks ago to a list member.
So my advice is choose your maker and put in your order. If you have £1,000 you nearly have enough for a good student model. Don't be tempted to get an all singing all dancing lute
back just yet as too sophisticated an instrument will hold you back.
While waiting for your instrument do a bit of research, learn some useful skills by joining a local community choir or drumming group and generaly soaking-up a bit of music. Read a hurdy-gurdy tutor and get a few cds to listen to, being carefull to [a] not spend your gurdy budget [b] not get frightened by thinking that you will need to sound like Eaton or Claistrier immediately; good basic non-flashy trad is best at this point.
Another suggestion is try to move in gurdy circles, if you are in the South-East of England this Sunday afternoon Les Batons French dance party is at Hollingbourne village hall near Maidstone, Kent. This event is frequented by both players and makers. See www.lesbatons.org.uk for more info or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] . It is also worth noting that
learning French dance is also good preparation for playing the gurdy. Also on Saturday evening Drohne are at Whitstable Labour club. See www.drohne.co.uk
Bon Chance
Philip
Simon Wascher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hello,
Am 10.10.2006 um 15:29 schrieb Natasha Hawke:
> Any advice is welcome.
here is one more. I wrote a text on "What should a beginner look out
for when buying a hurdy gurdy?"
its there: http://simonwascher.info/HGbuy.htm
kind regards
Simon
