--- Chris Nogy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I agree, the sinphone style (early HG without - usually - chien) is > great for being part of an ensemble, an accompaniment to strings and > woods, as it is a mellower sounding instrument that blends easier > (due to the absence of the buzz). It is not ideal for faster folk > dance stuff, but it can be used to advantage in higher personna, more > formal dance music, as well as ballad singing. > > And just because it doesn't have a chien doesn't mean you cannot get > a certain amount of rhythm out of it by using the same techniqes - it > is just much more subtle, but it can be done.
You can also develop a "negative" rhythm by stopping the wheel. 145 seconds of silence can be very effective if properly applied. > > My sinphone, my own design and construction, is chromatic, currently > G/D, and is quite mellow for the most part (choice of strings has a > lot to do with this, it has been trial and error). I know the > chromatic part is kind of anachronistic, as this is an early sinphone > box and would have had diatonic keys like an organistrum, but it also > has 2 chantrelles for balance. And I am thinking about, if I can > make space in my design, reworking it so I can add a chien for when I > need one (this Sinphone of mine is a piece of furniture, not a > lightweight instrument - solid and heavy which adds to it's > mellowness but also makes it an extremely good instrument for > travelling - it is bulletproof. I jokingly refer to it as the HG > built by the Timber Framer's guild. Ohh, I know.. Put casters on the bottom. Then you could add a whole 'nother dimension to the "wheeled fiddle" concept. Speaking of 2 cents.. Roy
