Melodeon.net Forums

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Welcome to the new melodeon.net forum

Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...  (Read 9330 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Randal Scott

  • Respected Sage
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 396
  • Western USA
Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« on: April 13, 2012, 05:48:21 PM »

Another addition to my arsenal of most despised instruments (in the US accordian of any kind is associated with Welkian dread for anyone over the age of 25...banjos too, although for different reason).

I've always wanted a nyckelharpa, but this may be the closest I come

Given my acquisition, I expect taking to the streets with this cat (where else would one unleash this?)--along with my beloved Club box, which could complement the gurdy with its sonority.

Sorry for bringing this up here...but no one in the US knows what the hell I'm doing with one of these   :|bl
Logged

forrest

  • Other Places::
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1001
  • digits still functioning
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2012, 05:58:19 PM »

I say....Crank on, brother!  ;D
Logged

AnnC

  • Succumbing to MAD 😊
  • Respected Sage
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 489
  • Forget the tea, just pass me a large Gin 🍸
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2012, 06:05:37 PM »

 This Yahoo group Chicago Hurdy Gurdy and this  Hurdy Gurdy Mailing list  might be able to help you  ;D

   ..... and there's this Google Hurdy Gurdy group  too
« Last Edit: April 13, 2012, 07:41:35 PM by anlej »
Logged
On the bracing North Yorkshire Coast :D

 You hum it pet.......I'll play it......but not necessarily in the same key 🎶😊
 3 lovely Liliputs, a Preciosa, a Pokerwork & a C/G Anglo concertina :D

Andy in Vermont

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 948
  • Mélodie
    • Melodeon Minutes (blog)
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2012, 06:08:54 PM »

Catty,
It's a great instrument, and if you play it on the streets, you will certainly have to answer lots of questions, including "where's your monkey?" (I even get that question when playing a melodeon in public -- my standard answer is: "Looking at me!") There is a NY city street musician who has been playing hurdy gurdy, so I'm sure that hundreds of thousands of residents have been exposed...
Here in Vermont, one of the least populated states, we have a number of hurdy gurdy players.  I don't think that you can proceed from the assumption that the gurdy is completely unknown here, although it is obvious that they are less commonly seen here than at French folk festivals.  I think the key point is that much of the music that would be made on a hurdy gurdy lacks social context in the US, but in my experience, where there is a context that welcomes world music (as opposed to, say, "strictly bluegrass"), you will find that many people are receptive listeners.  As to whether the instrument will be despised probably has a lot to do with what you do with it -- include how meticulous you are about tuning it!  >:E
-Andy



Another addition to my arsenal of most despised instruments (in the US accordian of any kind is associated with Welkian dread for anyone over the age of 25...banjos too, although for different reason).

I've always wanted a nyckelharpa, but this may be the closest I come

Given my acquisition, I expect taking to the streets with this cat (where else would one unleash this?)--along with my beloved Club box, which could complement the gurdy with its sonority.

Sorry for bringing this up here...but no one in the US knows what the hell I'm doing with one of these   :|bl

Andy in Vermont

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 948
  • Mélodie
    • Melodeon Minutes (blog)
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2012, 07:52:24 PM »

I wonder whether you are the only one in Montana!  Seems possible.  Someone should do a Flickr map to pinpoint all the gurdy players in the world and find the "densest" locations!

edited to add: ... and then overlay a Flickr map of the locations of people with perfect pitch... (ducking and running!)

Adam-T

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1789
  • Hohner Club-Too
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2012, 08:26:38 PM »

I`m just glad there aren`t any around here - the Hurdy Gurdy should be Banned globally, usage dealt with as a breach of the peace and an Asbo slapped on anyone even in posession of one . Definately a Class-A sound making device (calling one a "musical instrument" is as false as using the reference to football rattles, canister airhorns and air raid sirens, all of which are more musical than the Gurdy) :o ..

LOL ... Enjoy it Catty, just havin' Fun
« Last Edit: April 13, 2012, 08:31:25 PM by Adam-T »
Logged
Q: How do you cure MAD?
A: Take a Break from Mel-Net. (IF YOU CAN)

Thrupenny Bit

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 6829
  • happily squeezing away in Devon
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2012, 08:48:52 PM »

At last thursday's 'first of the month' session, half way through someone sat 2 seats from me playing one. It's the first time I've been that close to one.
His furrowed brow indicated he didn't normally play in D/G  :D but to be fair he made a good crack at it.
We started off with some of the well known French tunes that have invaded our repertoire,  :|||:
 then we went 'local'  ;D 
....... and he kept up, it's an interesting sound.
You must have to kill a lot of cats to make it work though :'(
Best of luck!
Q
Logged
Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Chris Ryall

  • "doc 3-row"
  • French Interpreter
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10169
  • Wirral UK
    • Chris Ryall
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2012, 08:52:11 PM »

Dolly (then aged 10) had a music class. "name an instrument"

  Sarah?  "trumpet, Miss"
  Alice?  "piano, Miss"
  Jemma:  "guitar, Miss"
  Dolly?  "Hurdy-gurdy, Miss"

"Miss" then falls off chair, having thought she was the only Gurdy grinder for about 100km radius. We later got her to Grand Bal of Bath, where she met Maxou, and Frédéric.. (:)
Logged
  _       _    _      _ 

Ollie

  • Grumpy Young Git
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1900
    • Ollie King
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2012, 08:54:16 PM »

You might want to check this out... http://www.overthewater.org/
Logged
Hohner Erika 12 bass D/G : Hohner Erika Bb/Eb : Hohner 1 row 4 stop D : Hohner Erica 9 bass D/G :

http://www.olliekingmusic.com/

Free-Reed Specialist, Hobgoblin Leeds

Lyra

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 558
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2012, 09:24:25 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quynEWf4CI4&feature=player_embedded 
Captain's Courageous featuring the hurdy gurdy - apparently started a lot of people playing.
Tellingly, it was dubbed by the orchestra - imagine the heartbreak as reality struck

Bit mean really - think it's a fascinating instrument but my go on it was, um, not too hot. Not sure I have the patience for all that tuning and flossing.
Logged

Thrupenny Bit

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 6829
  • happily squeezing away in Devon
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2012, 10:04:38 PM »

'Captains Courageous' was my all time favourite film as a lad.,....... Spencer tracey, Freddie Bartholomew, fishing off the Newfoundland Banks.......
'Yo ho leetle feeshy don't cry don't cry.....' whilst singing to the litte lad.
Loved it.
Haven't seen it in donkeys years but it's still there.
( sighhh )

lapses off into own leetle world...........
Q in a dream
Logged
Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

michik

  • Respected Sage
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 412
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2012, 10:35:02 PM »

I also have a hurdy gurdy ad I play it regulary :-)
I recommend to start with a teacher .. this is very important to avoid bad habits ...

Michael
Logged
Michael Knapp ~ Vienna ~ Austria
Playing on "Parigi Giovani" G/C (made by Bompezzo) - My recordings: http://www.onmvoice.com/mknapp

Andy Simpson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 938
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2012, 10:45:39 PM »

My grandfather went to Montana once. He told me that there were stretches of land as far as the eye could see and further without a single living soul where you could do anything without anyone ever knowing you were even there...perfect place for a hurdy gurdy player. >:E

Having said that, I'm currently agonising over whether my next instrument purchase after my F/Bb will be a gurdy or a low D/G...
Logged

forrest

  • Other Places::
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1001
  • digits still functioning
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2012, 01:52:36 AM »

Catty,
It's a great instrument, and if you play it on the streets, you will certainly have to answer lots of questions, including "where's your monkey?"............

If this occurs, be certain you have the employment applications at hand.
Logged

Randal Scott

  • Respected Sage
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 396
  • Western USA
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2012, 05:15:42 AM »

Ha yes, fortunately I have a penchant for sitting around fiddling with my tuning--used to love learning Kottke and Fahey tunes on my 12 string guitars...and I'm used to tweaking the pins on my harp and hammered dulcimer interminably :|glug 

Nice to see so many lovers (and haters :P ) -- gurdy can't be accused of engendering ambivalence...there's something monstrous, sinister, about it; look at it...it's staring at me.  Doubtless these weren't permitted in the Church! I like sitting around listening to scandinavian music-- some of it sounds kinda weird to me, and so maybe the gurdy will help my weirdness..  What I need is someone to crank it while I play my other instruments--was jabbing at my bouzoukis tonight and thought how nice it'd be.  I'd love to get a quartet going.  I don't know that my hardingfele-playing buddy would put up with it..

Thanks for the links--I'll check em out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLw2MA3woyM

About the monkey...I think I would say, when queried, that the barrel organ takes monkeys; the gurdy takes cats--you put em in and grind em up
« Last Edit: April 14, 2012, 07:26:39 AM by catty »
Logged

Fidjit

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 538
    • my space on My Space
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #15 on: April 14, 2012, 07:40:29 AM »

I wonder whether you are the only one in Montana!  Seems possible. 

"I'm the only one in the village. You know". Where have I heard that before ?

Chas
Logged

Adam-T

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1789
  • Hohner Club-Too
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2012, 08:32:49 AM »

Quote
"I'm the only one in the village. You know". Where have I heard that before ?

Chas

If it was "Little Hungary" rather than "Little Britain", I could see the subect matter being Gurdy playing "I`m the only Gurdy player in the village" - "you`re not a real gurdy player, just a violinist messing about"  ???
Logged
Q: How do you cure MAD?
A: Take a Break from Mel-Net. (IF YOU CAN)

Adam-T

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1789
  • Hohner Club-Too
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2012, 08:34:51 AM »

Dolly (then aged 10) had a music class. "name an instrument"

  Sarah?  "trumpet, Miss"
  Alice?  "piano, Miss"
  Jemma:  "guitar, Miss"
  Dolly?  "Hurdy-gurdy, Miss"


Miss then states clearly that the Hurdy Gurdy isn`t a instrument of music but a Romanian instrument of torture  ;D ..
I love oddball musical instruments from Kalimbas to Serpents from bagpipes to Theremins (I play the theremin badly but CAN get a tune out of it) , I have an ARP 2600 which can be very musical once all the sliders are in the right place and the wires poked into the right holes but a line has to be drawn somewhere ;D
« Last Edit: April 14, 2012, 08:39:44 AM by Adam-T »
Logged
Q: How do you cure MAD?
A: Take a Break from Mel-Net. (IF YOU CAN)

Anahata

  • This mind intentionally left blank
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6357
  • Oakwood D/G, C/F Club, 1-rows in C,D,G
    • Treewind Music
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #18 on: April 14, 2012, 09:59:55 AM »

A couple of weeks ago I was in a session with a nyckelharpa and a hurdy gurdy  :o
Logged
I'm a melodeon player. What's your excuse?
Music recording and web hosting: www.treewind.co.uk
Mary Humphreys and Anahata: www.maryanahata.co.uk
Ceilidh band: www.barleycoteband.co.uk

ACE

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 527
Re: Am I lost? hurdy gurdy...
« Reply #19 on: April 14, 2012, 10:08:34 AM »

The monkey reference made me smile and remember an occasion when I was younger working on building a new shop in the high street. The first thing I had to do every morning was to start up a huge diesel powered cement mixer. You had to set fire to an oily rag and stuff it near the fuel pipes to warm it up then turn it over using a handle until it eventually roared into life. I was swinging away on the handle and an old boy passing by shouted. 'I don't go much on the tune and your bluddy monkeys on fire'. Sorry to go off topic but it still makes me laugh.
Logged
Saltarelle Horizon, Dino mini, Lachenal g/d anglo
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
 


Melodeon.net - (c) Theo Gibb; Clive Williams 2010. The access and use of this website and forum featuring these terms and conditions constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal