I've got a Kelischek Minnesinger that I built from a kit. (He doesn't offer
the kit any longer. Despite the fact that I consider the design of the kit to
be a miracle of nearly foolproof construction, "nearly" foolproof isn't the
same as foolproof, and he apparently got too many questions coming in, so he
discontinued the kit.)
It is designed as a diatonic instrument, as differentiated from chromatic. In
piano keyboard terms, it only plays the white keys. More accurately, it can
play in any of the classical church modes by arranging the tangents for correct
tuning, but it does not play accidentals. That's why it only has the one row
of keys. Instruments with two rows can play sharps and flats.
The question about style of music you want to play is critical here -- the
Minnesinger does not have a chien, the thing that produces the rhythmic buzzing
sound. If you're interested in playing dance music of any type, the
Minnesinger is not for you. On the other hand, if you want to accompany
yourself while singing troubador songs unamplified, it may be ideal.
Instruments with a chien are likely to be too loud for an unamplified voice to
be heard clearly.
Hope this helps.
--
Dennis Sherman
Chicago, IL, USA
----- Original Message ----
From: "Solberg, Bennett J LCDR NMIMC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2007 7:31:31 AM
Subject: [HG] the new guy
Hello everyone.
Please excuse my ignorance but I am getting confused regarding all the
different styles of HG and configurations. I am looking to start and found
one that is "reasonably" priced for a beginner. It is a Minnesigner model
made by George Kelischek in North Carolina. My confusion lies in that it
has only a single row of keys. I understood that HGs have two rows similar
to that of a piano keyboard. I have also been asked what kind of music I
wish to play as it makes a difference to which style of HG to purchase. Any
suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Warmest regards to
perations Analyst
Naval Medical Information Management Center
8901 Wisconsin Avenue, BLDG 27
Bethesda, MD 20895
Work: 301-319-1121
Cell: 301-908-0051
