Wood Crumhorn Kit
Ken Koester
this before; it LOOKS easy enough (apart from putting in the keys and maybe
tuning the instrument), but what do I know? Anybody who has used one of these
kits have any helpful suggestions before I start?
For the interested (or amused) progress reports available. . . as progress
warrants, naturally.
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Spencer Hines
along with a fear of drilling and tuning the holes. I'd really like to
know what is involved.
Spencer
a.k.a. spe...@zeus.ocs.com
Elisabeth Fosbrooke
I've borrowed someone else's machine to write this, so apologies in
advance if the signature confuses anyone.
I too had the "crumhorn bug" from an early stage, but those I saw were
far too expensive. What about a kit I thought? I didn't find anything
until recently, when I learnt of the existence of a place called the
Early Music Shop. This is in Bradford, in Yorkshire UK, but they also have
a branch in London.
The main point is: you want kits? They got kits. Crumhorns from soprano
to Great Bass, viols, lutes, spinets, etc., etc., etc....
I would strongly recommend anyone trying a crumhorn for the first time
to get one of these. They are not particularly difficult to construct,
with the exception of the bend. Apparently their own vastly experienced
craftsmen who make the kits bust one in three when bending them up. Not
a task for the inexperienced, particularly as the favoured material is
English Sycamore (b..... expensive).
They supply the main tube bored and bent, the windcap and ferrule ready
turned but not assembled, and a template for the holes. There are keyed
and non-keyed versions available. You have to mount the keys yourself.
The reed is also supplied.
The holes are indeed the most tricky part. The template serves as a useful
beginning; you can get the sizes and positions roughly right using it.
However, even when I had drilled and tuned the holes, the instrument
didn't play too well. I am fortunate in that I know a good crumhornist
who can fettle instruments (renaissance wind players need to be like
modern oboists - well able to strip down their instruments when required).
I would also recommend that when you have the holes bored and tuned as
well as you can get them, to find someone who can "finish" it for you,
as this will teach you a good deal about just what you can get away
with when carving said holes. I erred on the side of caution, as it is
a sight harder to put material back than it is to remove it (although
you'd be surprised what you can get away with)!
I'm afraid I haven't got the address to hand, but if you want it, mail
the above address and I'll get it for you.
Cheers
Tim Gillott
bas...@vax1.mankato.msus.edu
I have built 4 crumhorns from Wood kits (SATB) with no
problems in intonation, response, finish, or durability.
I would, however, make the following recommendations:
1. You should use a drill press and an adjustable vise to hold
the instrument when drilling the tone holes.
2. Get a set of Swiss needle files (in particular, a rat-tail
file) to adjust the sizes of the tone holes.
3. Get an electronic tuner to help adjust the pitch.
Best of luck to you . . .
John E. Lindberg
Mankato State University
Music Department
Mankato, MN 56002
Matthew Larsen
>The holes are indeed the most tricky part...
>... I am fortunate in that I know a good crumhornist who can fettle instruments
>I would also recommend that when you have the holes bored and tuned as
>well as you can get them, to find someone who can "finish" it for you...
> Cheers
> Tim Gillott
Okay, sounds like a good idea. Does anyone know someone who is willing to
do this kind of tuning work in the Bay area? Or maybe some shop that does
it mail order?
Matt Larsen
m...@rational.rational.com
MUSD...@eku.bitnet
I have never done it but I am interested sometime. Keep the bitnet posted
on your progress and experiences. I'll be reading for further developments.
Good luck.
Dan Duncan, IN%"EARL...@EKU.BITNET"
Daniel Nilsson
>Please let me know. I've been cursed with a desire to make a crumhorn
>along with a fear of drilling and tuning the holes. I'd really like to
>know what is involved.
If you're building from scratch, two good things to remember are to
start drilling the holes from the bell end of the instrument, and to
drill them slightly smaller than they should be - that way you can listen
to each interval from the bottom up, gradually enlarging every hole until
it sounds right. With crumhorns and other reed cap instruments correct
intervals are more important than absolute pitch since breath pressure
so easily affects the tuning of the entire instrument.
>
>Spencer
>a.k.a. spe...@zeus.ocs.com
/Daniel
Mark A. Makabe
>do this kind of tuning work in the Bay area? Or maybe some shop that does
Lyn Elder, aka the crumhorn fairy, is at Dominican College in San Rafael.
You might also want to catch a San Francisco Early Music Society Workshop
there.
--
{scribble scribble} No, I'm not a doctor, I'm a high school dropout.