Hi all,
This is quite interesting. What happens if you use a heavier string
(like a high cello string) rather than a viola string for this low
chanter? That should, in principle, give you a stiffer string and
require higher tension, which might make for a faster response. (I'm
just speculating, not having tried it, and I have no ideas what
problems this might introduce.)
I don't have a string as low as you are talking about: my lowest is a
low G (open string) that is one octave lower than the standard strings
on a C/G gurdy. It's actually a Croatian viola string and I love the
sound in the upper octave when played alone. I can only describe it as
trombone-like: a warm, slightly brassy, but incredibly mellow tone
that does not sound at all like what one normally associates with a
stringed instrument. When played in combination with the gut melody
strings on my instrument that are in the normal range, the result is
interesting: in the upper octave the lower string isn't really heard
as a lower string at all, but instead contributes to a very rich sound
at the apparent pitch of higher strings. I suppose this makes sense:
the higher strings are louder and so predominate, but at the same
time, the lower string is supplying overtones that simply aren't
present for the higher strings. It's a very nice combination.
As Mike reports, I also notice that this string simply doesn't respond
as fast as the higher strings do. When played in combination with the
higher strings, this effect isn't as noticeable: I think that the
strings tend to fall into resonance with each other quite quickly, so
the higher strings force the lower one to "snap" to pitch a little
more, if that makes sense.
One other interesting thing (although not terribly useful in my
playing), is that at high wheel speeds these lower strings readily
sounds harmonics, something the higher strings are less prone to do.
Best,
-Arle
On Dec 14, 2007, at 2:14 PM, Oscar Picazo Ruiz wrote:
Hi Mike,
I own an alto too, having a low C string (obligato) which makes it
even worse, as one tone lower you get less load on the string.
Certainly, when you turn the wheel fast, it goes up to harmonics and
you lose the deep "cello" sound. However, in my experience you can
use more pressure against the wheel with this string, as scratchy
sound due to excess of contact is not as noticeable as on high
strings. Also, increasing the bridge to wheel distance helps,
specially on the higher octave (21mm on my instrument).
Anyway, it is an amazing sound when you play slow airs.
Regards,
Oscar.
2007/12/14, Eaton Mike <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >:
Hi, I've been off the list for a while and am just catching up.
I'm flattered by your comments! Yes, it is an Alto. I have 4
melody strings: Octave D's and Octave G's. For this set of tunes
tune I was using was the Octave G chanters with a G drone and D
trompette. It was recorded at the first annual Hurdy-Gurdy Festival
at Lancaster in the UK last April. The festival itself was a great
success (I think we must have had about 40 HG players, plus many
other associated musicians and interested parties) - enough to
pursuade the organisers to put on another next year.
I agree about using the viola C for a low low D chanter - a
fantastic deep, rich sound. I find it does have its drawbacks
though: a slower response time, so you cant do rapid trilling, and
the richness of the sound can tend to vanish when you crank at
trompetting speeds. It's the least reliable of my melody strings
and I have to work hard, constantly fiddling with rosin/cotton wool/
shims etc to maintain a reasonable sound quality.
Question for other HG players with low low D chanters - do you also
find that the low low D is hard work to keep it sounding good? I'm
currently of the opinion that having a fairly firm contact against
the wheel helps.
Also, I've forgotton the name of the 3rd tune in the set of tunes
that I play in this video clip - anyone help ?
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Jocelyn Demuth [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 13 October 2007 04:06
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [HG] great tune played by Mike Eaton
It sounds similar to my hg. I have a D-G instrument. I've equipped
it with a viola C which I've tuned to a D for the lower
chanterelle. I also have a cello C string which I've also tuned to
a D below that D for the Gros Bourdon. I have a renaissance gurdy
by Olympic musical instruments. People tell me all the time that it
sounds like a Cello. Now of course, I don't play it as ably and
beautifully as Mike Eaton, but I think you can get a similar sound
with this tuning. - Jocelyn
----- Original Message -----
From: Augusto de Ornellas Abreu
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: [HG] great tune played by Mike Eaton
I suspected it was the Alto, but can anyone figure out how each
string is tuned? I really like the harmony...
On 10/12/07, Arle Lommel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
It's this type of instrument, which the maker calls the "Alto":
http://www.weichselbaumer.cc/english/alto.html
-Arle
On Oct 12, 2007, at 3:59 PM, Augusto de Ornellas Abreu wrote:
Hi there
Can anybody with a better ear than mine tell me what kind of tuning
(chanterelles, drones, etc) does Eaton has on this marvellous tune?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vRQaWbI1rus
Are his chanterelles (at least one of them) an octave apart? Is
this an alto HG - it sounds almost cello-like... Great!
Augusto
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