The other answers you've gotten are all useful. Here's my 2 cents. The method
book will be useful, but has a lot of information that won't apply to the
minnesinger.
When I said "arrange the tangents for correct tuning", I was talking about
getting the intervals between notes correct for each mode. For example, the
modern major scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do in the USA, movable do) has
intervals of whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole
step, half step. To play in a modern minor scale, where the third and seventh
are flatted (whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole), you need to adjust
the tangents for that scale. You'll be changing the tangents tune by tune more
than people that play a chromatic instrument. On the other hand, there are
tunes that are a lot easier to finger on a diatonic instrument tuned in the
right mode than on a chromatic instrument.
Hope that, along with the advice already posted about tuners and such, helps.
--
Dennis Sherman
Chicago, IL, USA
----- Original Message ----
From: "Solberg, Bennett J LCDR NMIMC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 11:58:25 AM
Subject: RE: [HG] the new guy
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 appa
nued 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
