Thanks, Simon!
It can get confusing when voice names are used to label instruments
of not universally standard tuning. This happens in the lute world, also: a
lute in g may be called "tenor", a note above in a an "alto", and a fourth
below in d a "bass", though a variety of mixes in size and tuning may occur;
an early rule of thumb was to tune the chanterelle up until just before it
broke. If you remember that pitch, fine and dandy!
Thanks again and regards,
Leonard Williams
On 8/12/08 4:59 AM, "Simon Wascher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Am 11.08.2008 um 22:14 schrieb Leonard Williams:
>> Now and then I see references to "alto" hurdy-gurdy. What
>> determines the nominal voice of the instrument?
>
> "alto" is french for viola. With hurdy gurdies "alto" at first is a
> brand name or label used by hurdy gurdy makers. Some hurdy gurdy
> makers label instruments as "alto" that are buildt to support the
> viola c or the d above it (the c or d below "middle c") as lowest
> pitch on the keyboard.
> As there is no standardisation comitee sometimes also instruments with
> violin g as lowest pitch (the g below "middle c") are called "alto".
> As with violas, the "altos" open chanters lenght is usually but not
> necessarilly longer, something like 36 to 42 cm.
>
>> My own HG has chanter at
>> 438mm, drones at 457mm; chanter tuned to d above middle c, but keyed
>> in G
>> ("white keys" are d (open) e f# g a b c etc.). Simple drones (no
>> buzzies)
>> are g, D, G. Does this configuration have a voice label??
>
> So your instrument has an open strings lenght like what is by some
> makers labeled "alto" but its chanter sounds in d', that is one octave
> higher - at the same pitch the traditional french hurdy gurdies "en
> re" sound. As with those instruments its keyboard layout is a C
> keyboard setup but the g' string being replaced with a d' string. The
> diatonic row of keys now becoming G major instead of C major: d e f# g
> a b c ....
>
> You also will find hurdy gurdies also having the same pitch being
> labeled "cello" or "bass" by their makers. Very seldom you will find
> an instrument that truly has a keyed string for pitches lower than
> viola c (the c below "middle c").
> I myself use an F chanter (~ 88 Hz, the F below viola c ak one note
> lower than the low G drone) on my Weichselbaumer Alto.
>
>
> kind regards, Simon
>
> PS:
> the four octaves of "D" used with hurdy gurdies:
> d'' - the high chanter of the D tuning (one note lower than violins e'')
> d' - the low chanter of the D tuning and the typical trompette (the
> violins d')
> d - the "petit bourdon" - the higher drone (the cello d)
> D - the lower drone (one note above cello C)
