Re: [HG] Alexander Seidler electric HG on eBay - opinions?
Hey Kevin, I would say that it is a very nice and well made instrument and the seller ( I assume it is Ben) is very knowledgeable and forthright with his description. The caveat for this is that This instrument makes almost no sound acoustically. Which means that if you did want to play it with others or in a situation where it will be played for others you must provide all the gear needed to make it amplified enough for others to hear. The problem with all electric only instruments really. Just like hauling around all the gear for an electric guitar when your friends are strumming acoustics. So far though the price is right. Scott **Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall0001)
[HG] whats that guy playing back there
_http://flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/2878752019/_ (http://flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/2878752019/) **Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall0001)
Re: [HG] Over the Water newbie
Ruth, The event is held in a park that used to be a military base. The accommodations are barracks style, although the beds are separated by walls not just one big room filled with beds. The rooms are open to the hallway so there is no privacy unless you provide it. Thus the sheet to act as a curtain. There are poles that span the entrance to the rooms that you can drape the sheet over and secure with safety pins. The beds are good but not great and there are no linens so you will need to provide your own or buy a cheap sleeping bag. There is a Wallmart on the way so you can stop and pick one up fairly cheap. I have enough luggage to begin with so I donate mine to the local mission on the way to the airport on the way home. As suggested you will need ear plugs for more than one reason. The beds squeak, folks snore, people walk down the hallway in the middle of the night, and doors open and close. I usually bring my ipod with earplug style headphones and listen to music to put myself to sleep. The bathrooms are communal, so be prepared. It needs to be defined here that the upstairs portion of the building is generally reserved for the ladies and the ground floor is generally for the men and there are bathrooms on each floor, so when I say communal I mean mens and womens communal. The kitchen and eating area is just next door to the dorms and the classes are usually very nearby. It does usually rain, although I have not been there in a complete downpour, so bring some light rain gear. You will be walking from place to place but the trip is short and you will spend most of your day indoors so don't get too concerned about excessive rain gear or cold weather wear. There are fairly regular runs to the nearby town if you are in need of something so don't be too concerned if you find you have forgotten something. Also, there is a supply of items for sale that may help you out at the camp itself. Hope this helps, Scott **It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv000547)
Re: [HG] 1660 pelican flight case????
Hey David, I use the 1650 like Pieter although I did not add the metal reinforcing during shipping and it held up just fine. I would, today, add at least a piece of oak or maple that is cut to fit in one of the pick-n-pluck holes to give it more strength. The good thing about it is that is actually quite a bit over sized so you can add more stuff into the case and not have to carry it around. I also suggest that you angle the HG in the case so that you get more protection at the ends. Scott **Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today. (http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr000520)
Re: [HG] Re: test
Your test is received and you are coming in loud and clear. **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507)
Re: [HG] Those little keys
Practice.file down your fingers..get Mr. Bouffard to play that part for you.. Try turning your hand so that your palm stays in place but your fingers turn toward the wheel, in other words turn your hand at a greater angle toward the wheel. If you normally play with your fingers roughly 90 degrees to the key try playing with your fingers at 45 degrees to the keys (or there about please do not get out the compass for this). By turning your hand you will find that the reach between octaves is easier and that your fingers may be a bit more nimble on the close keys. It is the way that most very good players play. It means that you will be up on your thumb during playing more often though so watch your wrist and thumb for fatigue. Scott **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507)
Re: [HG] Hurdy Gurdies in museums information
Hey Collin, Not to be an a'hole here but I just wanted to make note that the Last Supper isn't in the Sistine Chapel but they did restore the ceiling very nicely. I completely understand what you are saying though. The HGs in the Vienna museum are quiet dusty and in ill repair but they spend much of their money on acquiring new instruments or art work not looking after the old ones as much as we would like. I went to buy an HG in France and I was offered several different instruments, the restored (new modern bearings, new wheel, peg pegs.no heart) instrument was offered as the best but I opted instead on one in good shape but unrestored and will never regret my choice. Sometimes restoration is not the best thing but it sure makes us sad to see an instrument sit. In regards to the Strad there is an instrument in England unrepaired and barely played. It has not been altered from the original and may have never even seen an real time under a bow. Speculation is that it probably sounds terrible based on it not being played and sitting under glass for so long. Who knows, they don't seem to have plans to break it out for a symphony any time soon though. Scott **Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch Cooking with Tyler Florence on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?NCID=aolfod000302)
[HG] HG Joke
Okay I heard it as a Banjo joke and converted it to HG. What is the difference between a Hurdy Gurdy and a trampoline? You leave your shoes on to jump on a Hurdy Gurdy. **Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch Cooking with Tyler Florence on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?NCID=aolfod000302)
Re: [HG] BUILD: Key placements (2)
John, The keys get VERY tight near the wheel and it becomes an issue to even get a tangent in the space between the keys. The F# is generally produced by pushing a little harder on the key and sharping the note. Most (99.8%) songs never make it that far up the keybox anyway. As far as changing the traditional layout I would stick with what has been working for the past 400 years or so, but of course there is no harm in experimenting. Scott **Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp0030002851)
Re: [HG] hg in the movies
By the way that was also Curtis Beraks instrument. **Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp0030002598)
Re: [HG] Workshop with Sébastien TOUR NY et Marie-Pierre CANALS March 29 - 30
and it's Sebastien Tourny. I have his hurdy gurdy. **Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300025 48)
Re: [HG] Bearings
The oil is not poured in but rather just added one drop at a time. No mess at all and if you are careful you won't get it on the wheel. Scott **Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300025 48)
Re: [HG] Bearings
I use a skewer for barbeque or a small zip tie, but they are all the same concept. Scott **Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300025 48)
Re: hurdy gurdy kits was RE: [HG] accordion tuning
Kathy, Yes there are modifications that you can make to make the instrument more playable. The problem with most of the kits is that they are very very basic as far as sophistication. First, if possible, try to get an axle that you can add a good set of bearings to. What this means is that there may be some metal lathe work needed or at least some sort of locking mechanism so that the axle doesn't pull out towards the back causing the wheel to rub. There are at least 6 different ways to do this that I know of. Some of them are very complicated others not so much. I can send you some examples if you like. Next, to the best of my knowledge the top is birch but I do not know if they are using birch plywood (anyone that knows can answer directly). The sounding board makes a difference as well as the way the instrument is braced so questions to the site are a must. The kit is basic it is like having a harp with no levers. The note are diatonic only and that leaves out a lot of music that you may want to play (even Bransle De Chevaux with the Bb). The other thing is that the instrument tends to be to quiet or screechy and the sweet in between sounds tend to be unattainable. Try to find someone who knows how to set it up and have them set it up and teach you how. The changes to the instruments that I have seen are usually: new axle and bearing set up, banded wheel, new quality soundboard, proper tangents and a lot of math. Please understand that when you said that your husband was building it as a gift I did not jump in and say money wasted because it is a gift from the heart and I am sorry if anything I have said has soured the gift. As players we are all very enthusiastic about getting new players and having people join our small group. So we try to steer people away from the kits and the poorly made instruments so that they will not get discouraged and give up because it sounds to harsh or won't play the way they think it should. I refer to them as Closet Hurdy Gurdyists because once they play for awhile they don't like the sound of it and they put it away in the closet never to see the light of day again. We really do want you to play and to play well, we just know the results of to many kits that were made and players that were unmade. Also, as an aside, I play at the Southern California Ren Faire and have been annoying friends and family for three years with my playing. I truly understand the culture and the weather of Faire (we refer to them as Faire buggers too) and I have instruments that I play at Faire that I don't play anywhere else. If you or your husband needs help you can ask here. Although the comments may range depending on the question you should be able to get the answers you need. Scott **Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300025 48)
Re: [HG] New Member Introduction
Kathy, What part of the world are you from? Scott **Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp0030002489
Re: [HG] How the trompette works - was a Newbie question
Alden, This is very complete and explains exactly what happens as I had envisioned it. You have explained this to me, although not in so much depth, but it is exactly as I had understood it to happen. This clarifies the exact details and the hits per second that I was not sure of before but I had long suspected was related to the tuning of the string. Thank you very much for the information, Scott Gayman **Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp0030002489
Re: [HG] Hurdy Gurdy Plans
Scott, The plans that you mentioned by Pignol are excellent and include a volume of detailed information as well as a volume on construction. The plans are VERY complete and the design is sound. The plans include all aspects of the build and the information includes things like the sounds produced by the instrument by the placement of the main bridge at various locations on sound graphs. In my opinion it is the most complete and the most thorough of an design plans I have ever seen. Although it is entirely in French most of it is pretty easy to make out as far as the build goes. The technical information will require a lot of translation. Scott **Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp0030002489
Re: [HG] To all Hurdy Gurdists where ever you may be!!!!
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas from SUNNY Southern California. We are thinking about going out for a motorcycle ride this week. Scott -Original Message- From: Billy Horne [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: hg@hurdygurdy.com Sent: Sun, 23 Dec 2007 9:42 am Subject: [HG] To all Hurdy Gurdists where ever you may be Hi to all from a SNOWLESS Finland HYVÄÄ JOULUA ja ONNELLISTA UUTTA VUOTTA 2008 Good Christmas and Happy New Year 2008 Bill Horne More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com
Re: [HG] Possition of octave chanters
I am not sure if there is a reason today. Although as a note, there are some earlier instruments that have a main bridge that is heavier (thicker) on the bass side to help transfer more sound to the sound board. It is not all that common but it does appear on the instruments from time to time. Scott **See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop000304)
Re: [HG] Stringing
I would not suggest the gimped string. I have not had it produce a good quality sound when played. I may have been using the wrong string diameter for the desired note but it fit the spec and it just sounded bad on the HG. Scott **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [HG] Stringing
Leonard, The gimped string that I used was from Gamut and it was a high drone I was thinking of adding in the Mouche position. It just sounded dead. They may work well plucked but it sounded flat and lifeless bowed. As I said I may have been using the wrong string for the sound I wanted but it seemed to sound dead throughout an upper and lower range. I tried it in higher and lower key ranges ( instead of D I tried upping it toward G). As far as sound are you looking for a modern sound with an historic string or a 415 to 385 range with a historic style string. Have you asked at Gamut Strings about the over-twist string history. Daniel seems to be a very personable man. He may have a year or era that the string took the shape that it did. On a side note, I just tried the varnished string and so far have found no sound difference. I am hoping I to eliminate the fray that I was getting (mind you this took 6 months) on the natural strings. Scott **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [HG] Perfection Pegs
I have spoken extensively with Mr. Herin and I am going to send him a complete keybox that he can work with to try and develop a version that will work for HGs. Stay tuned. He see it as a challenge and hopes to have a replacement for HGs. Scott **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [HG] Strange shudder on low A key
Arle, Consider that the plane of the wheel is a curve and the plane of the keys is a straight line. Therefore, if you push on the keys the pressure of each string on the wheel changes with each push of the key. In essence, you are pushing the string farthest from you harder into the wheel as you play and the string closest to you away from the wheel. This is aggravated by the fact that the keybox you have is wider that most and thus the pressure on the wheel changes more dramatically. This causes the string to lighten its pressure on the wheel and, although it plays while the key is pressed, it causes the string to have to catch again before the open note will begin to play which causes a warbled effect. Much like having to pluck the heavy drones in order to get them to start ringing. My suggestion is to very slightly increase the pressure on the wheel for that single string and try to find a happy medium between the pressure on the wheel and the sound of the string. This may take some work but I know you are up to it. Scott Thanks to Curtis Berak for pointing this simple but often missed point out to me. **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [HG] Strange shudder on low A key
Arle, I unfortunately can not describe the reason this happens at the low keys. Maybe it takes more energy to get the longer sound wave going or the inference pattern causes issues. I am not sure but it happened on my HG and it took quite a lot of effort to get the combination just right. It sounds like you have the problem well in hand though. Have fun cranking. Scott **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
[HG] Super dry weather and the tangent twist
Howdy all, I just got back from doing the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire and it was super dry yet again. While there I spent the majority of day one just trying to make the tangents stay put while I played. I tried the wetting trick and it worked until they shrunk and did the tangent tango again. I thought I'll just use thread, only to find I didn't have any and was to lazy to go looking. So I invented (reinvented, stole, borrowed ect.) the idea of using cotton to tighten the tangents. I rolled it like thread, only thicker, and put it in place for the rest of the show and it worked great. If this has already been suggested for a temporary fix I thought I would mention it as I had not yet heard it. Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [HG] Macedonian scale
I ready over that site and then followed the Wikipedia link and found the music portion of the site. It is very informative. Thank you very much for your response, I have found it all very helpful. Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [HG] Macedonian scale
Wow, very nice. I would never have known to look for that title or that film. Thanks for the ABC as well. I am going to add it into the ABC player and see if I can print some dots from it as well. Thanks again, Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [HG] Paypal in Europe: off-topic, but HG related
Arle, To the best of my knowledge the fee for PayPal is the same as most credit cards at 4%. Just as people do not get charged the 4% as purchasers on cards neither do the buyers using PayPAl. I have known Ebay sellers to add the 4% to the price if you use the service to pay for an item but it is not always the case. I recently (in the past 2 weeks) sent a wire transfer to Europe and the cost for the transfer was $42 versus the 85 Euro for the 4% that the seller wanted for using PayPal. When the seller received the transfer it came up short because my bank charged me the buy rate on the Euro and his bank charged him the sell rate. He ended up loosing about 30 Euro in the transaction and I ended up paying the $42. Really it was the banks making the money but we both understand how that works. I believe that Hungary is now a member of the EU and has a traffic in old and new currency (although that will change shortly I'm sure). Which should make it easy for them to set up a PayPal account. Scott Once again from the American side not the European side ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[HG] Macedonian scale
Does anyone know the traditional Macedonian scale? I am trying to learn a song and knowing the scale would help in learning it. I think. If it helps, the song is Underground Cocek as played by Tarif De Nuit. In the mean time I will try to learn it by ear. Thanks, Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [HG] Macedonian scale
I have looked online for the dots and can't find them. I'll let you know if I have problems. Thanks Simon. Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [HG] OTW Festival essentials?
It is in with the classes for this year. You should be able to find it by clicking Hurdy Gurdy Festival and then classes. Scroll down and they should be there. Scott ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[HG] Trying to reach Bob Green
Does anyone have information or a way to reach Bob Green in France at the Chaterauex (sp?) music class, or anyone else that mat be at the event. I am trying to reach Curtis Berak while he is in France and Bob is the only person that I know of in the area. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Scott Gayman ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [HG] Searching for a book
Marcello, It looks as though the publication is for dissertation for purposes of gaining a Ph.D and may not be in print or available for copy. The best route is to try to contact the University of Pittsburgh for a copy of the microfilm. You might try contacting them directly, although the last publication from them shows to be 1986. ISBN 0-253-21252-9 The Garden of Earthly Delights A direct search only turned up the same microfilm records that you are referring to. It is listed at the Library of Congress and in various facilities throughout Europe. Scott ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [HG] tune in Captain Coragious movie
_http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/french.htm_ (http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/french.htm) Look about 3/4 of the way down the page. Scott ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [HG] Unwanted harmonic
Matt, Do you have traditional wood tangents in hardwood keys? If so try pushing in on the key while playing and then push down on the offending tangent and see if the sound goes away. If it does you need to remake a tangent for the hole or re drill the hole to the tiniest fraction of an inch larger. Sometimes the holes begin to wear and taper, this taper allows the tangent to rock back in the hole while you play. Much like the dog taps on the sound board it causes the front of the tangent to tap on the key and make a high pitched noise, it also affects the way that the string sounds. Another fix for this could be to undercut the tangent a bit so that the end of the tangent farthest from the post touches the key and taper the cut farther up as it gets to the post. A 1/16 of an inch is good don't go crazy. I know that this will get lots of comments but I have done a lot of tangent work and this is usually the answer for the problem you are describing. Look carefully at the tangent as you put pressure on the string if it rocks back in the slightest it can cause the high pitch. Sometimes its the hole and not the tangent so look carefully at the whole thing before you start cutting things up. Scott ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [HG] Arcade Fire?
Also, I left out that they have about 40,000 band members and that must cost a lot to ship from one place to another so go out and buy an album so they can feed their armyer.band. Scott ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [HG] Arcade Fire?
Melissa, Yes, somewhere in there is a hurdy gurdy. The thing that everyone says is so cool about Arcade Fire and the hurdy gurdy is that, and here's the big build up, someone plays one on stage!! Yep that's it, no Bouffard hiding in the music, no Chabenat creating melodies in the midst of it all. The thing that makes everyone so surprised is that someone plays hurdy gurdy on stage in a rock band. Ohdid I happen to mention that it is for a popular current band and that they play in North America. They also did an award show with Bowie so they have the buzz going for them right now. As a side note, I find some of their music very good and others, for a lack of a better word, mushy. The thing that makes the audience so amazed at their shows is that they jump from one instrument to the next in a kind of Chinese-fire-drill way (no offence to anyone here, I just can't find a better description) and the unknowing public loves this. Reports from regular musicians are that they don't really play all the instruments but rather sort of strum or pound out a basic rhythm. Some of them are very good on certain instruments but they are not good on all of them, and that is what gives it that mushy sound that I am talking about. Reports also say (I have never seen them except on videos) that they are good on stage dynamically and they provide the audience with value for dollar as far as entertainment, which is what most people want anyway. So now you know, and knowing is.good. Scott ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
[HG] HG games
Has every one else seen this. _http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/ULJS-00099.html_ (http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/ULJS-00099.html) Scott ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [HG] Backwards
Mike, Another trick is to friction heat the rosin and smooth it out. I take a clean cotton cloth and hold it against the wheel (no strings on) and turn the wheel as fast as I can while press on the cloth. The extra rosiin will lift off on the cloth and the remainder will heat and smooth out on the wheel. It is a good way to smooth out the sound if you over rosin as well. Watch out for burning your finger it will actually get hot enough to hurt. Scott -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 2:18 AM Subject: [HG] Backwards All, Now here's an interesting thing. My low D chanter has been squealing at me for a couple of weeks - jumping into harmonics. I've tried all the usual tricks: shimming the string to reduce the pressure, replacing the cotton, applying rosin to the string before replacing the cotton, taking the rosin off the wheel and replacing it afresh, changing the string for a brand new one ... nothing has worked. And yet, if I turn the handle backwards, it plays as sweet as can be. What's going on here - can anyone offer an explanation for this? Mike This email, including any attachment, is a confidential communication intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. It contains information which is private and may be proprietary or covered by legal professional privilege. If you have received this email in error, please notify either the sender or telephone ++ 44 (0) 1963 370551 upon receipt, and immediately delete it from your system. Anything contained in this email that is not connected with the businesses of Thales Naval is neither endorsed by nor is the liability of this company. Whilst we have taken reasonable precautions to ensure that any attachment to this email has been swept for viruses, we cannot accept liability for any damage sustained as a result of software viruses, and would advise that you carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment. AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
Re: [HG] Unusual bodied HG
So if it is a gourd does that make it a fruitback? Scott -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: hg@hurdygurdy.com Sent: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 1:17 AM Subject: Re: [HG] Unusual bodied HG I was lucky to try and play that instrument last Summer in Budapest, when it was exhibited at the national folk festival. It has a wonderful, mellow sound, medium loud, I am surprised that nobody has bought it yet. I was fallen in love with it, it talked to me, but had no money to buy it. Cecilia On 23/3/07 23:40, Fredrik Johansson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I found another page with information, body made of a large South-American gourd http://www.szerenyi.hu/angol/hangszer_aktualiseng.htm It looks a little out of the ordinary, I wonder what it sounds like? /Fredrik Från: Seth Hamon [EMAIL PROTECTED] Till: hg@hurdygurdy.com Rubrik: [HG] Unusual bodied HG Datum: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:33:23 -0700 (PDT) What is the body made from on this unusual HG. http://www.szerenyi.hu/magyar/hangszerk/modellek/emil_modellek.jpg Cheer, Seth Förena nytta med nöje. Koppla av och ha kul samtidigt som du har chansen att vinna pengar på din skicklighet. På Spray spel kan du tävla mot andra och den som är bäst kan vinna mycket pengar. Till spelen: Spray Spel http://www.spray.se/underhallning/spel/ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
Re: [HG] The Great Gurdy Hunt
HOPE...sorry -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: hg@hurdygurdy.com Sent: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 7:39 PM Subject: [HG] The Great Gurdy Hunt Hello all: As I mentioned in my last (I mean previous; don't get your hopes up!) message, I've started considering the acquisition of a proper, pro-built HG. Alden is, of course, the prime source for such instruments here in the US; but, considering the great demands being put on the shop these days (yes, I refer to the waiting list), I thought I would try looking overseas. There seem to be a fair number of builders in Europe and the UK, offering HGs at what seem to be reasonable prices; as a matter of prudence, I'd like to run some of them by the List members, to see what you think. You may have your particular preferences.. * Chris Allen offers a rather nice Colson copy for a little under US$4000: I've corresponded a bit with him... Chris has also recommended Mike Gilpin, who also does a good-looking Baroque style for around that price, not to mention an interesting Bosch style... *Neil Brook also has a good variety, including the 'St. Thomas' model for less than $3000. *Moving over to the Continent, my first reaction was to check out Helmut Gotschy's site. I was rather taken by his 'Renaissance' model; and his Phoenix 'Da Vinci' seemed rather nice. (I have yet to get a reply on the price range for the former). *Kurt Reichmann's HGs were also interesting and attractively priced; but perhaps the most striking designs were from Helmut Seibert. To tell the truth, I haven't looked much yet at French makers; but I will probably remedy that soon. Now, is there anyone who could give an experienced opinion on some of these builders and their work: their usual backlogs, waiting lists and such; maintenance histories and so on? That, plus the advantages/disadvantages of buying instruments from overseas, would go a long way towards helping to resolve my mind (I think). As for the type of music I'm interested in playing, I'd say it is rather eclectic: a mixture of Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque/FolkTrad, plus plain old noodling around on the instrument to see what I can get away with. I hope to attend Jocelyn's NE gathering in July; and perhaps there I can get some more hands-on experience and personal advice. Till then, I'll continue searching, comparing, contrasting and, most inportantly, obsessing.. -Bill Steinmayer ** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
Re: [HG] Re: strings
I use a 70 and a 94 for melody strings from Gamut string. He has a low twist high tension string that works well for the high D. try the same size for the trompette. If you have a large C drone tune it to D. I can't recall the last diameter I used for the heaviest drone. Gamut is quick and very helpful if you call. He is happy to help out. Scott BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [HG] For those with the Dewit book..
I think that this has been pointed out before but I will reiterate here. The book La vielle a roue written by Michael Pignol, for sale from Pascal Caranga's site or available through AMTA (I think), has a lot of information in it. Including the effects of placement of the main bridge in the regards to the wheel. The problem here being that it is all in French. If you are seriously working on the research you will have to translate the pages. I can scan the pertinent pages and send them to you for private use only. I don't think it will be a problem with the copy write. I do suggest that you get a copy of the book for general information. If you pick out a few words you can get much of the basics from the book and there are a lot of good diagrams and measurements. Scott
Re: [HG] A new project, Bruegel
Oh, there are so many HGs from Bruegel. I found them in the fantasy painting, in the festival painting and in the dance/wedding paintings. I think he did the blind leading the blind painting where the lead blind man, the one already on the ground, has an HG. Also, how many people are making the HG with the removable handles and cranks. I forget the painter but there is the painting with the musicians fighting (that never really happens right) and the HG player is using the pull off crank handle as a weapon. Thanks Curtis for pointing that out to me. The problem being that most early paintings were commissioned or religious or commissioned religious. There are very few painting based on the pastoral life or the common man. I have not look to closely at illuminated manuscripts but that may be a good source, who knows. I have looked through the pictures I have and have not come across any HGs in early art (at least the art I have). Scott
Re: [HG] Sympathetic string tuning pegs
Thanks Roy, I was starting to get twitchy waiting for it. Scott
Re: [HG] Sympathetic string tuning pegs
I have seen something similar on harpsichords. You might start there. Scott
Re: [HG] Newcomer
It's never to late to start. I have just started into to music myself at 38 and I am not sorry that I did. There are several excellent makers in the UK they may be able to help you with getting the HG playing the way it should. Scott
Re: [HG] the new guy
If I understand your question correctly (once you get the kit you'll see clearly), you simply turn the tangents to hit the string in the proper place to produce the note you want. The tangents should be adjustable (turnable) so that they can swivel side to side and allow you to change the pitch. The steps to tuning properly are to tune the string to the desired note (probably G in your case). Then with the octave key tangent 90 degrees to the string (that would be key 7 from the head of the instrument with the tangent hitting the string straight on) check the tuning for the octave. If the note is dead on tune the rest of the tangents according to the note. If the octave note is off adjust the nut and retune the open string then check the octave again. Repeat as necessary. Remember to push on the string about the same strength that you would during play during tuning. By moving the nut you are shortening or lengthening the string sometimes by only a millimeter. The octave tangent should hit the string at exactly half the length of the string which gives you a good base to tune the rest of the tangents from. Note: some kits and instruments don't have a nut (no jokes Roy). I am only surmising that this is the answer that you are asking for. Hope it helps and thanks to all those that helped me learn so that I can ramble to others. Scott
Re: [HG] Which way shall I turn?
Roy, I have several pictures of a luteback that is fully torn apart if you are in need of internal pictures (thanks Curtis for the pictures). As for the head if you want to buy one premade I know you can get one from Caranga. Scott -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: hg@hurdygurdy.com Sent: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 10:49 PM Subject: [HG] Which way shall I turn? I have decided that I need to build a lute-back, for several reasons, but mostly because I can strut around and say I did. I can't decide whether I should buy a set of plans or generate my own. I really like the size/ shape of that Siorat (aka Princess Leia) and I have a pretty good idea of what goes on inside, so I'm tempted to make a copy of it. The biggest problem I can foresee from here is that I would like to redesign the pegbox, but I may be able to put that off until I can get a clear visualization of what I have in mind. Anybody got any opinions either way? Thanks, Roy Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.
[HG] Teflon
I bought and use this stuff it seems to work fine. http://cgi.ebay.com/Teflon-Powder-1-9-Micron-1-4-Pound_W0QQitemZ270036594211QQihZ017QQcategoryZ22700QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Scott
[HG] shirt
Has everyone seen this? http://www.zazzle.com/annettetruong/product/235918266078340174
Re: [HG] Thank you FROM Scott
Okay, so after reading this again I must edit it. It is, thanks to Derek FOR playing Amazing Grace(auto word correct).
Re: [HG] new WW-HG
I played one at St Chartier and I must say thatit has a very nice and distinctive sound. I found it to resonate well and to have a pure mellow sound that I found very pleasing. I am also not aware of the going price. It would make an excellentbeginning HG that anyone would be happy to own for the rest of theirplaying life. Scott Thanks to Wolfgang for letting me spend time playing at the end of a hot and miserable day.
Re: [HG] Collective Nouns
Well there is always aHURD of gurdies. Although I thinka Crank is the best. Scott
Re: [HG] UPDATE! hurdy-gurdy crises averted...for the moment...
Alison, Most older HGs are tied back with wire or gut to the tail piece. This keeps it from moving quite well. I replaced the gut on one of mine with wire and now it doesn't budge at all. It sounds like the plastic nut that you are talking about is stripped out and is allowing the adjuster to slip back through the threads. Just guessing as I have no real idea what the whole system is but usually if it is slipping back in a situation like this the plastic has given out. Hope you get the problem worked out, Scott
Re: [HG] Costumes
Arle, There is a long history of groups doing the dance of the dead or "Dance Macabre". I am not sure what you mean by Ghost Walk and it may seem somewhat bland but it was typical to see people dressing up during certain times of year as skeletons or as death and to dance through the streets. Liszt wrote a song called Dance Macabre. There may be other but my cursory search found him. It is an embracing of death that we in the modern world seem to find odd or offensive. However, done properly it can look as though it were an oldstyle of dress. This is a custom that began, as I understand, during the plagues and has continued in some countries even today. Dios Los Mortes (sp?) is an example. There are many early woodcuts that depict the dance or the look in general of the dancers. http://www.gregoland.com/bones/ http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_danse.htm http://www.lamortdanslart.com/danse/dance.htm http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_galleryholbein6.htm(hurdy gurdy player in the back) Scott
Re: [HG] a melissa sighting on youtube
I have seen him live and listened to him play and although it is painful to those of us that have been drilled repeatedly to never-ever-ever play backwards. It works for him because that is the way that he learned to play and without a buzzing bridge it really makes no difference which way he chooses to play it. He really isn't playing it to do French dance nor is working on playing with the buzz so it is not a matter of whether he is developing bad habits either. Actually the part I like the most is when he uses his cymbal playing monkey (on his left in the video) as a back up percussion player. It is eclectic and fun and the HG is just another element of his gig. Sothat you are all clear, the HG is a part time instrument not his main focus or his main instrument in the show. Just to clear it up. Even though I enjoy him it is painful to watch him play but that is a function of mylearning and not his playing, which is slow, but still matches the melody well. This is not meant to chastise but rather to give you a different view of the man as a player. Scott
Re: [HG] a melissa sighting on youtube
In a message dated 9/2/2006 2:45:44 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ360Gip56M Sorry I meant the monkey was on the left not HIS left
Re: [HG] Nice Pajot Jeune
Will do. We'll miss you at OTW. Scott
[HG] Nice Pajot Jeune
This site occasionally has HGs. You have to request the price though. http://www.instrumantiq.com/pages_html/galeries_ACT-vielles-a-roue.htm Scott To start from the home page select the "Galeries" button.
[HG] St Chartier and European weather
First of all, as an American who was raised in the climate of Southern California this may seem like I am being a whiney American tourist but it must be understood that I do not deal well with the heat even at home and I suffer from an inability to cool down once I get overheated. Europe sucks..at least in July, and probably August. I have never been to an area that continually denies that the series of consecutive heat waves is a fluke, and the deaths of peopledo to the inability to accept this is mind numbing. BUY AN ICE MACHINE! Why is it that the in room air conditioning produces more heat than it can actually cool? I am surprised that the summer in Europe doesn't cause more anger related killings from lack of sleep and over heating. If you live there you can cope with the issue just the way I can at home, but if you are traveling you rely on others to help and more than once I was told to just deal with it. And I paid these people to tell me this? My suggestion is to see Europe in the Fall or Spring unless you like the Winter cold (the in room heaters work great). That is the worst of it now unto the actual festival. I don't suggest that you go if you are a beginner like me (unless you are like Tobie and are just good from the start, then please go and play your heart out). The reason I say this is fairly simple, no matter who your are and how outgoing you can be it is all rather humbling and you tend to feel pretty left out. It is like joining a philharmonic orchestra with a beginners violin and a years worth of practice under your belt. That beingsaid, you should go at least once. It is not at all what I expected. It surprised me in how the people could all play and dance all night and they all seemed to know the dances.There were people that were dancing traditional dances from all ages and all backgrounds. It seemed as though they had all learned the dances when they were young and were all still happy to dance them into their old age. My wife commented that it was odd to see traditional dances being performed by kids with dreadlocks next to a couple in their 70s and everyone was happy. The best dancers were still there dancing at 4 AM and that 70 year old couple was out there with them. Not one fight or disturbance during the whole time I was there. Not something that would ever have happen here. The music was great. I can't tell you how many times I heard the songs that I know and felt comfortable with during the day and night. The players were amazing and the music never stopped. I don't know that I want to hear a bagpipe for a while. No offence to bagpipers but after four days of the same songs at the volumes that can break ear drums it tends to wear on you. I tried to see all the music that I could but sadly I missed the show with Patrick and Gille, accompanied but our now famous Tobie. It was rather hard on occasion to get things together during the day and still have time to eat and sleep. It is truly a trip to take but the weather (from what I hear) is variable and it can hail during the hottest part of the day, rain until the mud is thick enough to stick your shoes to the ground, roast you all day without let up, or it can be perfect weather that everyone is happy in. So bring clothes for all occasions. I am aware that most people don't want a weather report so I will stop here and continue in a new vain in my next report. Scott
[HG] St Chartier
I had a great time while I was there despite my newness to the whole of the culture. The site is spread out over a large area with each area being free or paid access. The areas where the dancers were was a free access area that surrounded the lower portion of the local chateau and the streets of St. Chartier. The music and performances seemed to go to be in very corner of the town. There was a food court type area that combined food and little booths selling everything from scarves to African art, also free, that was up the hill from the chateau. The concerts were in a huge circus style tent next to the booth area (you had to pay to get up close to the concert but you could hear it outside). In the middle of it all on the back side of the chateau was the music vendor booths. There was even the local farmers market area just as you enter the town. The vendors area closed at 7 PM and the food booth area closed at 3 AM (that was good planning on the side of the organizers) but the music in the town was 24 hours. It seemed that when one group stopped the next began and if you didn't like the style of music you only had to move a few yards up the way to find a new group doing something completely different. There were fire twirlers and drummers playing next to bagpipers next to a band playing fiddles and accordion. There was even a band playing what sounded like Cajun music and doing it very well. Not to leave out of course the HG players that seemed to be playing all night long on one stage or another. In the town there is an Irish pub that attracts the Irish music players who played without endand behind that was a booth for drinks that seemed to have 40 tables around it. It seems that the Center France bagpipe players (short version of the longer name) have bought the local hotel just across from the pub where, in a story written by George Sand (a woman for those who were unaware), there was a bagpipers contest. They are renovating it as a house for the players in the group (being that it is on the main street I don't know about actually "sleeping" there). The town as a whole is not big by any means. A 20 minute walk gets you though the whole thing including some of the back roads, this walk could take you an hour during the festival as you try to move through the packed streets. It amazes me that the small town turns into a big four day party and no one seems to mind. I guess it is like Sturgis during the bike festival the locals just turn over the town for a few daysand enjoy the rest of the year in solitude. The parking is close by and an easy walk although it is in a cow pasture and the ankles may suffer a bit if you are not careful. I wore shorts and found out that it also contains thistles and nettles, so you'll want to bring aflashlight at night. The concert stage is pretty amazing. The sound is good and the seating is nicely set in a gradual climb so that you can see all the way in the back. There were huge screens and great lighting for every show, and the performers were divers and talented. All in all I would say that the show is very nicely presented and well thought out in most places. I think that the vendors suffered in the heat more than most and should be highly commended for staying with it in the heat and the direct sun. If I were laying out the plans for the vendors and music gallery I would have used the trees and the natural shading more. I would like to thank Brian Tully for helping me to store my gear during the day. I would also like to thank everyone that put up with my questions and my very poor French while I was there. The amount of English speakers was amazing and if they didn't speak English someone was usually nearby to help translate. Pointing and gesturing was good enough for most purchases though. If you have never been I suggest it at least once, although asI wrote previously you may want tolearn a good list of French Trad music before you go. It can be overwhelming at first but you learn aboutthe area and culture quickly. Scott Scott
Re: [HG] new hurdy gurdy player / players nearby?
Have you seen this sight? http://freespace.virgin.net/hurdy.gurdy/hurdy%20gurdy%20tips.html Sorry if this is a double post, I just got back and I have over 500 emails waiting. Scott
Re: [HG] La vielle l'univers de l'infinie roue-archet
I saw this book a lot in St Chartier. I even met the nice man that wrote it. Sadly the book is entirely in French and the book to my knowledge will not be coming out in English. It seems quite extensive and I would suggest it to a native French speaker. I can not verify its content but I can say that it seemed well received by the makers and players. Scott
Re: [HG] Saint Chartier/emails
If I was taking my computer and my room was equipped I would be happy to send back reports, butthe laptopis too big totake on the trip and still bring back the mass of items I'll be buying there. If my handheld works (if the hotel has wireless) then I will be sending out reports to all. I'll take lots of pictures to show at the OTW. Scott
