Hello Alina and all,
regardless of what type of hurdy gurdy it is you have, the main thing
is, how do you want it to be tuned, and how loud you want it.
Standard tunings are:
- playing in G/C (and D and F)
- playing in D/G
- playing in A
the last one being the hungarian tekero tuning, with melody in E and
drones in A.
Other than standard tunings are possible, but only usefull if you
need them, like for being in the perfect range for your/your co
musicans singing or obscure :-) instruments.
The G/C tuning is nice because the relation between pitch and key
positions (note names) corresponds with the one of the piano.
Next step is to find out
* what are the strings on your instrument supposed to be tuned to? -
there is a chance that the tuning it is supposed to be in corresponds
with the type of instrument it is. Or maybe the seller can give you
this information.
* and can this result in the tuning you want?
Please be aware, that hurdy gurdies are a family of instruments and
generally far from being as much standardized as violins.
To give you a good advice the most direct way to tell you which
strings fit for which pitch is if you measure the distance between
the saddle and the bridge of each string (the part of the string that
is vibrating).
like:
from the one closest to your body:
1st (trompette, the one with the little lose bridge) = x inches/cm
2nd (if it has this) = x inches/cm
3rd(melody 1, the ones with keys) = x inches/cm
4th(melody 2, if it has this) = x inches/cm
5th (a rather thick one) = x inches/cm
6th (a rather thick one, if it has this) = x inches/cm
general information on strings for the hurdy gurdy can be found at
the hurdy gurdy wiki:
http://hurdygurdywiki.wiki-site.com
hope this helps.
Simon - Vienna, Austria
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have a look at:
http://hurdygurdywiki.wiki-site.com
http://drehleierwiki.wiki-site.com
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my site:
http://simonwascher.info
