Brand new member looking for some input about instruments

[Kim Browers]

Greetings!

 

My first message appears to have been lost in cyberspace, so I apologize if this is a repeat!

 

I have seriously been wanting a hurdy gurdy for about 15 years, but have never been able to justify the money for an instrument I've never played.  However, I have decided to take the plunge!  I'm looking to get my very first vielle a roue, and am seeking some experienced advice! 

 

I'm primarily considering a Medieval reproduction "Symphony" model.  From what I understand, these generally have 3-4 strings, no trompette and are quieter than later period/modern models.  They appeal to me for their Medieval music appropriateness, quietness for acoustic accompaniment of vocals, and diatonic scale for ease of learning (fewer buttons!).  The negative side is that the lack of trompette will eliminate what makes a hurdy gurdy sound so distinctive!  I have also heard negative comments about a generally unpleasant/inferior sound quality from these models.  From what I gather, the same features that make it simple may make it TOO simple to be worthwhile.  I also play a variety of ethnic music, and want to use one instrument for both genres if possible.  However, the diatonic scale would make Maqams and micro tones impossible to play, which is obviously extremely limiting.  There are some hybrid options for Symphony models with a Medieval exterior, aesthetic and basic construction, but have a trompette, and at least a 24-key chromatic scale.  Some even have pickups included.  My concern is if I am intending to use this as a Medieval reproduction, will it compromise the integrity if I decide on a hybrid?  Or is that given a general pass, as long as liberties aren't taken with the music itself?  

 

And then there are the websites of manufacturers on the internet that I have frequented, but really know nothing about.  I'm looking for advice from someone who has played the Symphony style, what to look for, what to stay away from, some reviews of manufacturers, etc..  If this isn't the best instrument for an absolute beginner, I will also weigh that in as well! 

 

Any and all info is appreciated in advance! I'm very excited that this group even exists!

 

Cheers,

Kim 

 

 

[vonh...@aol.com]

Hello Kim,

Glad you joined and are asking the right questions.

There are lots of options but the number one thing to know is what you intend to do with it and if you are hoping to just play medieval music.

You should buy the most from an instrument that you can afford and fits your needs. You can always sell an HG but the demand goes down if it is too simple. You will also find the it is far harder and more expensive to add something than it is to pay for it complete.

Where are you located in the world, there may be someone nearby who can give you pointers or even teach you.

Scott

Kim Browers <fiz...@gmail.com> wrote:

Greetings!

 

My first message appears to have been lost in cyberspace, so I apologize if this is a repeat!

 

I have seriously been wanting a hurdy gurdy for about 15 years, but have never been able to justify the money for an instrument I've never played.  However, I have decided to take the plunge!  I'm looking to get my very first vielle a roue, and am seeking some experienced advice! 

 

I'm primarily considering a Medieval reproduction "Symphony" model.  From what I understand, these generally have 3-4 strings, no trompette and are quieter than later period/modern models.  They appeal to me for their Medieval music appropriateness, quietness for acoustic accompaniment of vocals, and diatonic scale for ease of learning (fewer buttons!).  The negative side is that the lack of trompette will eliminate what makes a hurdy gurdy sound so distinctive!  I have also heard negative comments about a generally unpleasant/inferior sound quality from these models.  From what I gather, the same features that make it simple may make it TOO simple to be worthwhile.  I also play a variety of ethnic music, and want to use one instrument for both genres if possible.  However, the diatonic scale would make Maqams and micro tones impossible to play, which is obviously extremely limiting.  There are some hybrid optio ns for Symphony models with a Medieval exterior, aesthetic and basic construction, but have a trompette, and at least a 24-key chromatic scale.  Some even have pickups included.  My concern is if I am intending to use this as a Medieval reproduction, will it compromise the integrity if I decide on a hybrid?  Or is that given a general pass, as long as liberties aren't taken with the music itself?  

 

And then there are the websites of manufacturers on the internet that I have frequented, but really know nothing about.  I'm looking for advice from someone who has played the Symphony style, what to look for, what to stay away from, some reviews of manufacturers, etc..  If this isn't the best instrument for an absolute beginner, I will also weigh that in as well! 

 

Any and all info is appreciated in advance! I'm very excited that this group even exists!

 

Cheers,

Kim 

 

 

--
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

[Bruno Fournier]

Hi,

 

I built my own sinfonia as well as my own hurdy gurdy.  Initially I built the sinfonia because of past experience with an HG player who played in my medieval ensemble briefly.  it was way too loud and the trumpet really doesn't suit the music.  but then again this is personal taste, although the trumpet is a later invention.  some sinfonias have one nevertheless, not sure of their effectiveness.

 

There are chromatic sinfonias, again not authentic, but could be a good compromise, although I find no issue playing my diatonic sinfonia.  I adjust my tangents beforehand  so  I can play major or minor.. as for quarter tones to play maqams, stick to the Oud in my opinion, but you can bend  notes on an HG or sinfonia, and since you can adjust the tangents you could adjust them a quarter tone...but don't expect to get all the microtones you would want... problem in arabic arabic quartetone music is that you need to both play the true note, say E as well as the microtone above E...if you push harder on the string when you play you can probably get the quartetone above but its more of a bending of the note , rather than hitting the note right on

 

good luck

 

Bruno

Oud, lute, sinfonia player

 

www.estavel.org

 

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Bruno Cognyl-Fournier

 

www.estavel.org

 

[Geoff Turner]

Kim,

Bear in mind that some medieval music also includes semitones. It largely depends on how authentic you want to be. You could go the whole hog, and catch nasty diseases as well. Or you could decide that some compromise is acceptable. However, It would also be worth considering other shapes than the symphony; if you look at illustrations and church carvings, it is only the very early period where the symphony would be the only option. The square shape of the soundbox itself is what gives it the unique sound that some people don't like, but some manufacturers do make good ones. However, there are also some dodgy ones out there, and I think that the luthier is almost as important as the shape. Depends on your budget, of course, but have a look at the luthiers own sites, look at YouTube videos etc. It is an expensive instrument, and it is well worth making the decision slowly rather than getting it wrong. I know quite a few people (myself included) who have made the first decision in haste and ended up buying others.

It is, of course, entirely addictive. I now have a symphony for early medieval although it is chromatic, one of Neil Brook's St. Thomas altar models for late medieval upto 17th century, and a real French guitar-back from around 1800 for 18th century to modern.....

Regards

Geoff

Sent from my iPad

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[ernic]

Hello Kim.

It seems that my posting has been lost, so I send it again.

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!

Op donderdag 28 maart 2013 00:02:17 UTC+1 schreef Kim het volgende: