Re: [HG-new] Digest for hurdygurdy@googlegroups.com - 3 Messages in 1 Topic

[Paul Makinen]

My gurdy (tuned in octave D, 2.5 octaves worth of keys from E to high D,
2 melody strings) has developed a curious problem: When playing at the
high end of the keybox (say, above high E), the tangents push one of the
melody strings away from the wheel to the point that the string is not
being driven by the wheel.

The bridge has vertical adjustment screws, but no apparent horizontal
adjustment other than filing the string grooves in the bridge.

I'm hoping that people can tell me the best way to fix this...

[Scott]

Has the bridge shifted. Hold the instrument flat and look across the Soundboard from the side. Is the bridge side lower than the keybox side? Is the distance from the key box side to the string the same at the nut and at the wheel end?
How hard do you press on the keys?
Is the wheel tipping down at the keybox side more than it used to?

Scott

Paul Makinen <pmakine...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>--
>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>Groups "hurdygurdy" group.
>To post to this group, send email to hurdy...@googlegroups.com
>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>hurdygurdy+...@googlegroups.com
>For more options, visit this group at
>http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy
>
>The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster.

[pmakine...@yahoo.com]

On May 6, 9:25 am, Scott <vonho...@aol.com> wrote:
> Is the bridge side lower than > the keybox side?

No.

> Is the distance from the key box side to the string the same at the nut and at the wheel end?

Yes.

> How hard do you press on the keys?

The string lifts away immediately when the tangent hits the string.

> Is the wheel tipping down at the keybox side more than it used to?
>

Not sure I understand what you mean here...

I'm thinking I may need to lower the bridge just a little bit on that
side (there is a small bit of range for adjustment).
> Scott

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Paul Makinen <pmakinen_20...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >My gurdy (tuned in octave D, 2.5 octaves worth of keys from E to high D,
> >2 melody strings) has developed a curious problem:  When playing at the
> >high end of the keybox (say, above high E), the tangents push one of the
> >melody strings away from the wheel to the point that the string is not
> >being driven by the wheel.
>
> >The bridge has vertical adjustment screws, but no apparent horizontal
> >adjustment other than filing the string grooves in the bridge.
>
> >I'm hoping that people can tell me the best way to fix this...
>
> >--
> >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> >Groups "hurdygurdy" group.
> >To post to this group, send email to hurdy...@googlegroups.com
> >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> >hurdygurdy+...@googlegroups.com
> >For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy
>

> >The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found athttp://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm.  To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster.

[Harry Wass]

As an easy fix you could try a slightly thicker gauge string... giving
you more tension

cheers Harry

--
Harry Wass
<http://medieval.instruments.googlepages.com>
medieval.i...@gmail.com

[cwhill]

When you press the tangent, does it lift the string?
Have you checked for a damaged post?
The tangent shouldn't really move the string that much so it sounds like
it's lifting it instead. No wear on the end of the tangent - may have
worn into a wedge shape and is lifting the string. It really does sound
as though the angle has changed (I'm presuming it hasn't always been
like this of course).

Colin Hill

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2425/4981 - Release Date: 05/06/12

[michael]

 

 

---

From: hurdy...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hurdy...@googlegroups.com]
Sent: 10 May 2012 08:48
To: Digest Recipients
Subject: [HG-new] Digest for hurdy...@googlegroups.com - 3 Messages in 1 Topic

 

   Today's Topic Summary

Group: http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy/topics

§                                M & D Story in Brief [3 Updates]

 M & D Story in Brief

"michael" <mic...@muskett-music.co.uk> May 09 02:27PM +0100  

Our Story in Brief

I am often asked how we became involved with hurdy-gurdies so here is our
story in brief. In the 60’s we were giving school concerts based on early
& folk music. Whilst researching early instruments Doreen found a reference
to an instrument no one was playing – the hurdy-gurdy. In 1971 we found a
maker in Spain and a street player in Paris and by 1972 I had renovated a
19th century instrument. Very soon Doreen studied with Gaston Rivière and
thereafter all our concerts included bagpipes and hurdy gurdy.

Our first South Bank concert for parents and children was given in 1970
and this led to six or eight performances annually. The series ended in
1986, fifteen years after Doreen’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s, forcing us to
stop all professional work. But our public concerts had in the meantime led
to many workshops for which Doreen required a Method. We created this
together and published it in a spirit of generosity, not only for ourselves
but for those further afield. Little did we think that 200 copies would go
so quickly! Now we are on the 3rd (edited) edition, but in between there
were other reprints to fulfil the constant requests. There was also a French
edition, for which there is still a demand, although out of print. We
launched the Hurdy-gurdy Society and made plans available for building, a
venture which gave great impetus to the movement.

As a harpsichordist Doreen enjoyed 18th century music and began to
investigate the fascinating repertoire for the Hurdy-gurdy. We gave one
important chamber concert in which the air of London vibrated to the sounds
the hurdy-gurdy and musette for the first time in 200 years. I am now
revisiting this repertoire which, as a former recorder soloist and current
hurdy-gurdy player, I am finding to be full of interest. It is a constant
wonder how the latent patterns on a page of music can be coaxed, through the
medium of a musical instrument, into the most lively dance music. It is as
though a painting has come to life, as though Venus herself has stepped from
her shell to the shore and dances on the strand
Requests for Methods these days are pleasingly accompanied with words of
thanks and appreciation. Passing people have given pot plants or sent
interesting books and I even received a small pebble from a remote and
magical bay in N.Z (N.I). To all these kind people we send our thanks.
It seems I am widely credited with saving the hurdy-gurdy from oblivion,
but this is not quite correct, for there were also revivals in France and
Germany. However, the hurdy-gurdy is now flourishing in every
English-speaking country and beyond, which is a satisfactory but unexpected
outcome.
The Method was Doreen’s baby whilst I was the midwife, so the honours go
to her for the concept. Doreen’s birthday is early in June.
Michael Muskett
*Wikipedia: Birth of Venus

 

Arle Lommel <arle....@gmail.com> May 09 03:32PM +0200  

Thanks for a lovely story, Michael.
 
I don't want to detract from it in any way, but one phrase made me smile for reasons other than intended:
 
“Passing people have given pot plants…” I think that's illegal in most countries ;-) Thanks, Arle. But they were bought in this country! And yes, I am very disappointed not to have taken a more active role in playing and teaching, but when a carer…
 

 
But, on a more serious note, thank you for your and Doreen’s dedication to the instrument. While the revival may have gone on without you, it would not have been the same and you and Doreen have certainly put your very impressive stamp on it.
 
Best,
 
Arle

 

Judith Lindenau <jud...@judithlindenau.com> May 09 10:17AM -0400  

Ditto!    Thanks, Judith.
 
Judith
 

 

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group hurdygurdy.
You can post via email.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an empty message.
For more options, visit this group.