Yes, I do understand but I have not noticed a great deal of lag time with the
lower chanter. I play some songs that move along at a faster clip but nothing
at warp speed. Also since I use both chanters together 90% of the time,
perhaps the lag is drowned out by the other melody string and the drones.
However, when I want to play faster, I use the lower drone - it's more
responsive, more reliable and sounds better than a singleton the gut string.
So, I know this flies in the face of what is supposed to happen, but there it
is.
----- Original Message -----
From: Arle Lommel
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: [HG] great tune played by Mike Eaton + Question about low low D
chanters
Jocelyn, I don't think the issue is that the strings don't stay in tune.
Lower-pitched strings will, in general, probably hold their tune better than
higher.
Rather it's that when you move from one pitch to another while playing, there
is a slight lag as the string adjusts to its new vibrating length before the
new pitch sounds properly. This is true on any string, but the amount of time
it takes a higher-pitched string to jump to the new pitch is so short that it
isn't an issue: perceptually it's instantaneous.
A lower string, however, can have enough lag that it it is audible and
creates a problem for faster playing. Try playing something that's quite quick
on your lower melody string vs. your higher strings and see if you notice a
difference in response. I'm willing to bet you'll find there is (unless you
happen to be set up in the way that Mike was trying to arrive at).
-Arle
On Dec 14, 2007, at 4:16 PM, Jocelyn Demuth wrote:
Interesting - I have not had a lot of problem keeping the viola C in tune
on my HG and yes, it does have a great sound. I also use it as my second
melody string. It tends to stay in tune better than the other D melody string
- a gut string - but tuned an octave above to violin D.
I also have not had difficulties with the low low D - my drone is two
octaves below middle C. Originally, I had a D drone one octave below middle C
- same as the melody string and it was muddying the melody. The lower drone
allows the melody strings to be heard better. I used a cello C - strung for a
1/4 sized cello. It doesn't play well with the G drone - can't get the two to
tune together at all. Actually, it doesn't much matter since it sounds great
all on it's own.
I suppose it's all a matter of taste. I play medieval and some middle
eastern music and that deep, baritone sound sounds fantastic - plaintive and
primitive. I don't see this working so well for sprightly french tune.
