How To Play The Three-Stringed Diatonic (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

All good hurdy-gurdies have movable tangents, like movable frets on viols or lutes. The

purpose is twofold: Firstly, on any hurdy-gurdy, to enable the player to “focus” the pitch of each tone up

or down as the need may arise, and secondly, (on diatonic hurdy-gurdies only) to allow programming of

scales for different modes: Each tangent can be moved the equivalent of a semi-tone by swinging it to ei-

ther left or right. Unlike the chromatic keyboard of later hurdy-gurdies which require a complex left-hand

technique, the diatonic hurdy-gurdy keyboard can be played with one pattern in any mode. The tangents

should never be glued to the key shafts. The friction fit of the tapered tangent stem works like a friction

peg of a violin. The result of any adjustment to the tangent position should be checked by playing a few

notes and only after the open strings are well tuned and balanced.

It is advisable to use a shoulderstrap while playing -wether sitting or standing- and with the lid

open, to allow quick access to the tangents. On all of our diatonic Hurdy-Gurdies we now identify do-fa-

do (1-4-8) with keys and tangents of a different color. (Harps use a similar system for string identification)

When tuning the open strings to 1-5-8 (do-so-do) intervals, a major scale begins on the 3rd key from

the left. (Similar to the 3rd fret of a lap dulcimer)

Place your left hand over the keyboard box and place your fingers on the key-buttons: The small

finger on the 3rd button from the left, the ringfinger on the 4th button, the middle finger on the 5th button,

the forefinger on the 6th button. The thumb should always stay in touch with the keyboard or lid, respec-

tively, giving the four playing fingers a constant reference point. Small indentations in the keyboard and

the lid identify positions for the thumb. For visually impaired people we identify the “home” position (3rd

button from left) with an indentation in the keyboard-button as well.

Because most melodies require more than four notes in a row, or involve jumps, the left hand has to

move to bring the fingers to higher or lower keys. This is called changing positions. Different tunes require

different positions. Work out the best fingerings for a given piece of music and write the fingerings over

the notes. With practice your playing technique will advance sufficiently to result in pleasing sounds.

It is also possible to use the Hurdy-Gurdy with only the melody string sounding. The two drone-

strings can be temporarily disengaged by lifting them onto the higher notches of the two bridges. The

remaining melody string can play a soprano or alto voice of a multi-part composition where the drones are

not desirable.

Another use of the hurdy-gurdy is as a drone instrument while playing a three-holed, one-handed

tabor-pipe, or a one-handed, 4-keyed pentacorder. (Pentatonic Recorder)

Medieval and other music suitable for hurdy-gurdy is available from Susato Press.

Kelischek Workshop for Historical Instruments

199 Waldroup Rd., Brasstown NC 28902 USA

Telephone: 828 - 837- 5833

E-mail:

Website:

Instruments, rosin, shoulderstraps, and individual strings by gauges and

materials are listed on our website.

How To Play The Three-Stringed Diatonic Page 3