Generally the same instrument can be used for either tuning, but it is not practical to switch back and forth frequently. Generally speaking, the only physical difference between a gurdy tuned to GC and one tuned to DG consists of the gauges of the various strings and the notes that they're tuned to. So if you'd rather your instrument was in the other tuning, you can change it over. (Note that some HG's seem to "prefer," that is, work a bit better, in one or the other tuning--Roz's Boudet never seemed to settle down until it was in DG. But generally any gurdy could be set up for either tuning, and it's not a big deal to do the conversion yourself.) As for switching tunings on the fly, it's a pretty bad idea unless you have an instrument that's set up for that. Such a two-tuning setup would be a 3-chanter gurdy with either 2 trompettes or a trompette "capo" or "tuning flag" arrangement such as Cali and Alden offer that switches the trompette between C and D notes quickly. Retuning a 2-chanter gurdy on the fly a lot will destroy strings quickly or worse. Another approach for playing regularly in both tunings is to have one HG in each tuning, and bring them both to the session or dance. That's what Roz and I do. (Actually she's got two gurdies, I have only a DG gurdy but can play GC bagpipes or button accordion when the session switches over to GC). This approach also makes luthiers happy!! The reality of French trad is that if you want to play with other people, they will play in GC sometimes when all you have is a DG, or vice versa. There's some tradition and history that favors one tuning or the other for certain kinds of music (folky Auvergne music is supposed to be GC, dark snarly Berry/Bourbonnais music is supposed to be DG), but often it just comes down to personal preference and what the other players have with them. You can be stubborn and lobby regularly for your favorite tuning and sit on your hands while your friends play, or you can come to the dance or session expecting that either tuning could happen at any time and be prepared accordingly. I strongly encourage the latter approach at the session we run. Mitch -------------------------------------------- Mitch Gordon _www.frenchtradmusic.com_ (http://www.frenchtradmusic.com) --------------------------------------------
[email protected] writes: Hi, folks, I'm sure people at OTW will have some opinions to share, but I have just run into this and I'm curious. I videotaped some of the HGers playing in Seattle at the Folklife Festival a couple of years back, some as a group on the boulevard, shall we say, and some in the French dance class. Since having my HG up to playing condition this year, I never got back to the tapes until now. First thing I saw was that the folks on the street (RT, Penny, et al) appear to be playing in D/G and the folks in the dance class were playing G/C. I wanted to play along with the players on the street, so, what the heck, couldn't hurt any to de-tune for a bit. I think my chanterelles were happier going down to d from g. Questions: 1) Is an instrument being a D/G or G/C just a matter of preference and string diameters, or is there something about the instrument which dictates what it is? Looking at the key arrangement, I thought it was a G/C, as it corresponded to the piano keyboard and D/G layout must be different, but now I don't think so. 2) Could it be that I should stay in G/C, but use a lighter diameter string to lessen the tension on the chanterelles? I have Savarez oiled gut 0.94 mm / 0.0370 inch strings. The silver on gut (pul 1000?) gros bourdon, btw, is not happier tuned down. Or, should I just suck it up and learn my instrument better? 3) I don't know if Alden is about, he may be busy getting ready for this week. At OTW 3 years ago, I bought this set of strings from him, before my HG was refurbished. He was familiar with my instrument and I had it there, so I trusted his experience and judgment (still do :^) and bought what he gave me. Do you think he chose a set to make it a G/C because that was what the instrument was, because it was easier for a newby to read music on a G/C, or because that's what most people play? Of course, I could find out that I've been tuning my chanterelles an octave too high. Don't think so, an octave lower is rather slack and muffled-sounding. Newby perils. Thanks for your thoughts. Barbara --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
