Hello from a new member with a question!

[Luke Raymond]

Hi everyone! First I'd like to say hello as a new member to the group. I ordered my first hurdy gurdy in early December 2012 from Altarwind Music and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I've never even seen or heard a hurdy gurdy in person but when I first saw a video of Nigel Eaton playing with Page and Plant I was blown away and thus began a bit of an obsesson with the HG. A couple years later I finally have the means to purchase one. I'm really excited to begin learning a new instrument , and such a unique one at that. So, before I even have the gurdy I already have a question. Drone capos: yes or no? When I spoke with George at Altarwind he said the capos were pretty much the last thing that goes on the instrument so if I decide I want them before it ships out I can always add them. Are they used that often? Would I regret not having capos or is it more of a novelty? I ordered the Moncur model which has 4 drone strings. I assume I'd need 4 capos at $45 each if I decided to get them? What about tuning; on a guitar there are frets so as long as the capo is between the frets you're good. But on a fret-less instrument like the hurdy gurdy I would think the capos would have to be in just the right place on the string to be in tune and then you're trying to tune capos against each other plus the melody strings. Sounds like it could turn into quite a hassle. As you can see, I've thought about this quite a bit. It consumes my waking hours lol. Anyways, I'd appreciate any advice and I look forward to becoming a hurdy gurdiests!

Cheers!

[cwhill]

Just a few thoughts until the more experienced add theirs.
I've never (up to now) needed a capo (although I've tried a home made
one just to see what it was like). You really only need one if you are
playing in keys other than the basic ones or in unusual modes etc.
Personally I'd stick to playing in the basic keys (C/G etc) before
trying to play in Eb :)
Also remember that most of the videos are of professional players so
don't expect to emulate them out of the box.
No harm in having a capo but not required under normal circumstances if
you are playing alone (if you are playing with others and need the key
changes then yes, you probably need one). It'll take a while to learn
the instrument (well, you never will really, always something else to
learn) so we'll say "basics".
I was the same as you - never seen or heard a HG in person but loved the
sound and not really in a position to have lessons or a meet-up with
other players and buying a gurdy was the best thing I ever did (I was in
my mid 50's) and I do play lots of other instruments (picked up during
the folk revival of the 60's and 70's). The HG is the most fun to play
of them all if you practice and learn all the fiddly bits (cottoning,
applying rosin and the list goes on)!
You'll love it I'm sure, just take your time and enjoy it - and keep
asking here. We all started somewhere and had questions to ask. No
question is too simple or silly.


Colin Hill

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