Hello, Am 09.02.2011 um 19:46 schrieb LVJay: > Is it generally acceptable to tune a chanter up a whole step,
a good setup includes chanter strings that are perfect for the pitch they are meant for. Tuning them up or down will always lead to a setup that is not as good. > does that put too much tension on the instrument? Generally on the short run the string will break before the instrument breaks. On the long run the stronger forces on the instrument might lead to changes in the balance of forces within the construction: on the long run the instrument might age faster. > One of my goals is to play with a piper, and during a performance, it > would be nice to be able to change keys without changing instruments – > > My piper friend has a beautiful set up Uillean pipes with chanters in > both C and D but at the moment, his only regulator set is in D. > > He also has a set of small pipes in concert A. My advise is : do not retune the chanter. Learn to play in the desired key on the instrument as it is, play in A and C on the D chanter, play in D and F on the G chanter. A capo that fixes a key slide, like fixing the first key, might help but is delicate to adjust and not really neccessary. > I imagine that there might be some > interval/intonation issues there, there are. The drone is best with Kirnberger II tuning (usually linked to the 3rd diatonic key - C on a G gurdy) which is a non-equal temperament. It allows to use a number of fifth-related keys quite just, but with a very small fifth in A (half the Pythagorean comma too small), not so nice with a drone. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirnberger_temperament So one cannot have a just tuning in two sixth related keys on one chanter at the same time (like not in C and A). In everyday life, a tuning device that supports Kirnberger II is a real relief - its worth the money. > physically comfortable to play these (mostly diatonic) melodies on an > open d string. practice helps to play all keys desired on the same string. You will learn that the chromatic keys can be very helpfull for an easygoing fingering and therefore the diatonic row alone (like C on the G chanter) is effectively the hardest. By the way, I play an instrument basically with c g g' chanters, and C G D A E drones. I do this since 1994 and it works fine. There truly is a LOT of knowledge and experience involved, about tuning and intonation, about suitable repertoire, about strings, about maintainance, stage experience and program matters. It is my profession, 40 hours per week minimum. Kind regards, Simon -- 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.
