Yeah. I used to play the violin, but was not very good. I understand
what you're saying, but how do I find out what I should tune the
strings to? Does Simon have that answer?
~Alina
On May 27, 2007, at 5:04 AM, Colin Hill wrote:
Whilst you wait for the experienced (proper) answers, the basic
answer, I
think, is yes .The strings you have will be a certain size etc to
be tuned
to the note the maker intended (both the string and the
instrument). To make
them higher, they may be too tight and may break or too low and
sound odd.
No, you can't tune it to whatever you want. It's been made to be
tuned to
certain notes so options are limited (Just like a guitar is made to
be tuned
EADGBE or a violin to GDAE). You can mess around a little but a string
instrument loses something in quality if you stray too far. After
all, they
have been built and designed for specific notes.
You can alter it a little by getting the right strings BUT
you need to match the string to the note it is to be tuned to -
also (I
would imagine) the instrument is built to have the strings at a
certain
tension and could be damaged if you tighten too much (I have a 12
string
guitar which warped due to me having the strings too tight).
I'm sure there are variations on which notes you can tune the
strings too
but you need the correct strings for what you want.
Others who know more will give a more details, I'm sure.
Which other instruments do you play?
It may help to contrast between other instruments.
Colin Hill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alina Larson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 6:32 AM
Subject: Re: [HG] My Hurdy-Gurdy Arrived!
Hi Simon,
Sorry, I couldn't find the web pages you indicated... Um. I (have)
three strings: One wired one (that snapped) and two gut ones (equal
width, it seems... No thick one). I prefer the D minor scale.
Are you guys saying that if my instrument has a certain type of
string, it shouldn't be tuned in certain ways? I'm a little confused
because of all the different advice I'm getting...
My strings are:
1st ≈ 12.5 inches
3rd ≈ 14.5 inches
5th= snapped.
~Alina L.
On May 26, 2007, at 11:52 AM, Simon Wascher wrote:
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
---
have a look at:
http://hurdygurdywiki.wiki-site.com
http://drehleierwiki.wiki-site.com
---
my site:
http://simonwascher.info
