Bennett, You might want a copy of the method to help you learn how to play it, even if you can handle the instrument set-up by yourself!
It is worth remembering, when using a tuner, that a hurdy gurdy sounds better if you use just temperament rather than the equal temperament which the tuner will guide you towards. If you choose a tuner which shows how many cents you are above/below the note you can use a table such as the one available (from Graham Whyte) at http://www.luthiers60.freeserve.co.uk/pdfs/tuningandtemperament.pdf but it is good to listen to the sound of the note against the (tonic) drone as well. Paul On 1/25/07, Seth Hamon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
You can always rely on the help of an electric tuner... Like a Korg. etc.... Seth "Solberg, Bennett J LCDR NMIMC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dennis, I am wondering how one learns to "arrange the tangents for correct tuning" irt the Minnesinger that I have coming my way. I am thinking of ordering the Hurdy Gurdy Method Book. Do you think this necessary given the relative simplicity of this design? Bennett LCDR Bennett Solberg, PhD, FACHE -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dennis Sherman Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 9:39 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [HG] the new guy 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" 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
