pros and cons of Medieval "Symphony" model Hurdy Gurdies

[Kim Browers]

Hello all! 

 

I'm a brand new member, who has been agonizing over not owning a hurdy gurdy for about 15 years.  It's time to invest!  I am specifically interested in the Symphony models for their quietness, simplicity of keys for a beginner (diatonic vs. chromatic scale, 3-4 strings, and generally lacking trompette), primary source references from the Cantigas de Santa Maria, and appropriateness for period Medieval music.  However, I also play a variety of ethnic music, and would like to be able to play both of these genres on the same instrument if possible. I'm concerned about the versatility of the Symphony for all those purposes, especially with Maqams and scales that require chromatics and microtones.  I have seen some Symphony models that have been modified to suit a more modern musician, with pickups, trompettes, etc.  But I don't know if that would compromise the integrity of use as a Medieval instrument, or if some of those things get a free pass in our modern age. :)  Can I even have both Medieval and modern ethnic appropriateness on the same instrument?  I was referred to this group to discuss the pros and cons of these particular models, and find a reliable manufacturer if I still decide this is the instrument for me.  Does anyone own this variety of instrument, or have you played one?  Any tips for a true novice?

 

Yours in thanks,

Kim

[Ernic Kamerich]

Hello Kim,

I play a symphony made by Chris Allen. It has one drone string, two melody strings and one trumpet string and it is chromatic over 2 octaves. I am very content of this instrument because of the fine tone and its reliability, it works perfectly. It is more quiet than larger hurdies, making it a fine instrument for accompaying a singer. However, in a mix of instruments it can be heard better than I would expect. I have no experience with amplification of the symphony. I have tuned the drone to d with a capo to g, the melody strings to c' (very useful for medieval modal music) and the trumpet to d'.

I would strongly advice you to choose an instrument with a trumpet string. Then you can decide where to use it. The first appearance of a trumpet string on a hurdy gurdy in pictures is in "the garden of earthly delights"of Jeroen Bosch of about 1500, as you will know probably, but in late medieval instruments, often a facility for supplying a rattling to the sound is incorporated, so I think that more primitive predecessors of the trumpet string might have been used earlier, and, anyhow, I think that using a trumpet string in some medieval music may be appropriate, so I use it when I like it. Although I have only restricted capabilities on the trumpet string, it makes my playing more attractive for most listeners.

I also play the Aachen, a hurdy gurdy that has been made by Chris Allen especially for medieval music. This might be an interesting option for you as well. It has a beautiful sound, somewhat louder than the symphony and it works fine. I have 2 drones (G and d'), two melody strings (in principle also in c' as on my symphony but with a very useful lower extension to a) and one trumpet string in a with capo to d'. In fact I have 3 more capos, but I seldom use these.
You can hear it on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR_R3FhkQ4E
with explanations and demonstrations on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0J41t_XV5g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j1KmZuU-dw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ciEmQOZlAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hAvGYyrKCY 

Good luck with finding a suitable hurdy gurdy!

Ernic

2013/3/26 Kim Browers <fiz...@gmail.com>

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