Getting Started on the Hurdy Gurdy

Getting Started on the
Hurdy Gurdy
lL
By
Anwyn & George
Leverett
Introduction
by Anwyn Leverett
My first thought as I swished through the Medieval encampment was, “What is that sound”?? It
was the most soft, haunting strains I had ever heard. It was 1990 and I had been a musician for
26 years by then, I thought I’d heard everything! I had gone from the guitar to various obscure
folk instruments, but I had never seen or heard this one! I had no idea such a thing existed. I
didn’t want to be caught being inquisitive, so I found reason’s to skirt the encampment and
peak. It was beautiful and breath taking!
By 1992 I was in the Celtic band, Clan na Gael. One of our yearly month-long gigs was to play
the Green Show at the Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor (at Lake Tahoe). This was a
strolling acoustic gig. I felt bad because our bass player really didn’t have an instrument to
play, he seemed kind of lost. By then I had saved up enough money to buy a hurdy gurdy, so I
bought one for him to borrow. My husband, George had built a few small harps and mountain
dulcimers by then. When he laid eyes on the hurdy gurdy he said, “Oh, I could have built that!”
(Too bad he didn’t say that $800 sooner!)
Our bass player played it during acoustic gigs, I played it in a few songs on stage when we
wanted a bag pipe effect. It was built from a kit, and was really temperamental. It was frustrating and embarrassing on stage sometimes, but I felt I had no choice but to work through it.
After about a year, it gave up and started behaving reliably. George took off the violin peg
tuners and put on guitar machine tuners, that really helped! The last thing you need on stage is
for the violin tuners to slip and it suddenly go out of tune. That is why we always put guitar
tuners on our instruments instead of the traditional friction pegs.
A few years later George built me his first hurdy gurdy loosely based on the one I had which
was falling apart from traveling so much. It came very easily to him, as if he had been doing it
all his life. (This man didn’t have household power tools when we got married!) It is beautiful,
made from padauk, with a “green man” face carved on the head stock. That was my first
experience painting on instruments. A museum in Korea is purchasing it and I will be shipping
it off in a month or so. I’m sad on the one hand, but it makes me feel good to know that it will be
preserved long after we are gone. I guess I’ll be getting a new one!
With Clan na Gael and then later by ourselves as a duo, Around the Hearth, we have done
hundreds of school assemblies where we have talked and demonstrated the hurdy gurdy,
bowed psaltery and harp. We use it on our recordings. I have to admit that I don’t play the lively
French Country Dance music, our CDs are more in the Celtic New Age direction and I keep it
mellow. I play cello parts to George’s harp. One person told us that the hurdy gurdy gives the
harp something to “float on “.
Through so many performances, the hurdy gurdy is still the same wonderful strange instrument
that I first encountered 18 years ago. I’m so glad I happened to intersect with it on that fateful
day! It’s given me endless hours of pleasure. We have set up this book to “play by number” so
you don’t have to know or learn how to read notes. We hope this book will start you on your
own hurdy gurdy adventure. I guarentee, you will be the center of attention where ever you go!
This book and all it's contents copywrite George & Anwyn Leverett, 2008
Table of Contents
The Wonderful World of the Hurdy Gurdy
1
Tuning up
2
Learning your first song
4
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Are You Sleeping
Yankee Doodle
Clementine
Kumbaya
The First Noel
Working in some Chromatic Notes
(sharps & flats)
7
Scarborough Fair
Grace Notes-how to play them
9
Danny Boy
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Playing in different Keys- the key of 'D'
12
Deck the Halls
Auld Lang Syne
Amazing Grace
The 'Dog'
16
Row Your Boat
When the Saints Come Marching In
Loch Lomond
Jingle Bells
America (My Country Tis of Thee)
The key of 'G' minor
22
Greensleeves
Drunken Sailor
America the Beautiful
Alternate Tuning Chart
25
MAINTENANCE
26
Changing the Cotton
Adding Rosin to the Wheel
Adjusting tangents
Setting up the Dog
Troubleshooting
28
This book and all it's contents copywrite George & Anwyn Leverett, 2008
Welcome to your new instrument
Thank you for purchasing one of our hurdy gurdies.
Let's begin by checking the package. included are the following:
1) The hurdy gurdy (in a case)
2) baggie containing: cotton, rosin, & allen wrench (just make sure it's there, we won't need it until later)
3) This book
You are probably anxious to start making music right away, so I will only add two more notes before we get
started:
1) DO NOT TOUCH THE WHEEL!!!!!
2) If you have any questions or get stuck during any of part of this process, we are always available to help
you out. Here's how to reach us:
Altarwind Music -George & Anwyn Leverett
PO Box 32
O'Brien OR 97534
phone: toll free 888-265-9711 (alternate line 541-596-2006.)
www.altarwind.com
email: [email protected]
What is a Hurdy Gurdy?
The unique novelty instrument from Central Europe! It's half machine, half musical instrument. Technically, it
is a mechanical violin, only it pre-dates the violin by over 600 years. The Hurdy Gurdy can be traced back
at least 1000 years. The first evidence of it in manuscripts places it in France. They were used in churches
(organs weren't invented until the 1400's). Back then they were large boxes or barrels, so big, it took 2
people to play them, one to crank and one to pull up the stops. The drone was used to keep everyone in
pitch during the plain song chanting. They were called Vielle a Rue, Organistrums, or Symphonies.
During the 1400 and 1500's they shrunk in size to one-man instruments and became popular with
the common folk. Street musicians frequently played them because they were such a mechanical novelty
and weren't difficult to play by ear. The demand for them became so great that luthiers began cannibalizing
and converting lutes and later, guitar to keep up with the demand. By the 1600's taste in music was changing and they fell out of popularity.
Some people assume at first that the Hurdy Gurdy is like a player piano, that just by pushing a few
buttons it plays itself. While it is easier than a violin, it is still necessary to develop the co-ordination to do
two things at once (crank and push the buttons at the same time) and to have enough understanding of your
instrument to trouble shoot cotton/rosin problems on the fly.
1
GETTING STARTED
Place the hurdy gurdy on your lap. You will notice that
there is a handle on one end with a little knob to hold. This
should be on your right side, so your right hand can grab the
little knob & turn the wheel. On the left side is the end of the
instrument with the guitar tuners.
Be sure that the instrument is upright, so the wheel is
facing away from you and it's back is against your belly. If the
instrument is lying on it's back, it will likely just make screetching
sounds (the buttons will 'chatter' against the strings- this will
make more sense later).
NOTE: The handle on the wheel is loose intentionally. This
way it will rotate with your hand so as not to cause friction
burns while you play.
Let's tune up:
We loosened the strings for shipping. You will need to tighten
them back up and tune it before playing a song.
There are four (4) strings on your hurdy gurdy. You will notice where each string rests on it's bridge (near
the wheel end of the instrument) there are two notches for each string (note the yellow arrows in the picture). Each string has an 'on' and 'off' position. When the string is
'on', it will be in the notch where the wheel is touching it. In the 'off'
position notch, the string does not touch the wheel.
Make sure that each string is in the 'off' position (in the notch that it
doesn't touch the wheel). As a beginner, you want to be careful not
to bend the bridges from side to side, as they could break!
Note for our 'Renaissance model': the drone string which has the 'dog' has a
brass pin which serves to turn the string 'off' (picture on next page). The
reason: once you incorporate the 'dog' into your playing, this allows you to
turn the string off without affecting the setup of the 'dog'.
To make sure you've got it right, turn the handle with your right hand.
As the wheel turns, the instrument will not make any sound.
Notice the bridge with the two strings close together (the strings are
red in the above picture for clarity). These are the MELODY strings,
gently place ONE of them in the 'on' position (it doesn't matter which
one); the other melody string should still be 'off'.
Turn the wheel; you will notice the hurdy gurdy is now making a
sound (probably an unpleasant one). While turning the wheel
EVENLY and SMOOTHLY, use the corresponding guitar tuner
mechanism at the other end of the instrument and raise the pitch of the
2
symphony bridges- note the grooves for
the on/off positions
string. Keep going until you achieve the note 'middle D'.
Notice the brass pin- to disengage the trompette
If you have a piano around, getting middle D is pretty
string (the dog) pull the string over the pin so it is
held away from the wheel
easy (1 note above middle C). If you have a guitar,
this is the same note as the 3rd fret of your ' B' string. We
like to use electronic tuners as they are easy and accurate.
If you get more screeching & squealing than an actual note,
be sure that the cotton is on the string where it contacts the
wheel. Notice the yellow arrow in the picture (lower right)you will see how the cotton crosses the entire wheel.
Notice the red arrow- you will see that the cotton has slid off
the wheel, and just the bare string is touching the wheel. This
can cause screeching, so take your fingers and carefully slide
the cotton on the string so that it is where the string contacts
the wheel, as with the yellow arrow (be careful not to touch
the surface of the wheel)
Once you've got this string tuned, put it once more in the off
position. Now, one by one go through and tune the other
strings- these are as follows:
The other melody string should also be tuned to middle 'D'the exact same note as the first melody string. When you are
holding the instrument on your lap, the string closest to your
face (the drone) is tuned to G below the two D melody
strings in the middle (guitar: this is the same as your open 'G'
string). The drone at the bottom is tuned to D a few notes
below the 'G' drone (guitar: same as the 3rd fret of your 'A'
string).
'
This is a new instrument and the strings are still stretching out,
so you will likely need to tune it again. This should be easier
since you have already brought the strings up to tension. Once more, go through the strings one at a time
and tune them up again.
NOTE FOR THE EXPERIENCED MUSICIAN: An easier way to tune them up the second time
around: turn all the strings 'off', and start with a melody string (as before). Once you have it tuned
to middle 'd', turn the other melody string 'on' (the first one should still be 'on' as well) and tune it to
the first melody string. You will hear them lock in. Then, while keeping these strings 'on', add the
'G' drone- tuning it to the melody strings. Finally, with all these strings singing away, add in the low
octave 'D' drone (adjusting it until it locks in with the others).
Now, all strings should be contacting the wheel and singing away! It will likely sound like a quiet bag pipe.
Our Hurdy Gurdies are designed to be tuned in D / G, if you stray too far from this it will either
screech if tuned too tight or not make any sound if tuned to loose.
3
What are the Notes?
Since you just tuned
up, you already know that the
two melody strings are tuned to
'D' and the drones are G & D
notes. You have probably
noticed there are buttons on
hanging down from the instrument.
If you press the keys upward (in the direction of the yellow arrows) while turning the wheel, you will notice
that you get different sounds.
There are two rows of keys: the lower row is the major scale. These notes are: middle D (open) E (first
button) F# 2nd, G 3rd (has a marker ), A 4th ( ), B 5th ( ), C 6th, D 7th ( ), E 8th, F# 9th, G 10th
( ), A 11th, B 12th, and D* (13). The upper row of keys are the sharps and flats. D# 1st, F 2nd, G#
3rd, A# 4th, C# 5th, D#6th, F 7th, G# 8th, A# 9th & C 10th . Press the buttons just light enough to
change the note, if you press too hard, it will make the note sharp.
*You may be wondering 'why does it skip the 'C' note between button # 12 & 13?" (In this one instance, the 'C' note is
on the upper row of keys, mixed in there with the sharps & flats). Don't worry, all hurdy gurdies do this. Most of our
customers already own hurdy gurdies by other makers, so we make ours like this so that players won't have to re-learn
their fingerings from instrument to the next. The reason this one 'C' note is in the other row is that there just isn't room
to squeeze that button in there, if we tried the wood would just break out.
While turning the wheel, go ahead and press buttons and get the feel for it. Turn the wheel clockwise (away
from you), evenly and smoothly. This will ensure the best tone.
If, despite your best efforts, you are only getting screeching & squealing, it is likely that you need to change
the cotton on the strings. To learn this, go to the 'Maintenance' section of this book, or you can visit our
website for a video on the topic at www.altarwind.com/hghelp.html. (You will likely need to visit the
'maintenance' section several times as you progress through this book). Once you've got the cotton
changed, come back to this page and learn some songs.
Playing the music in this book
For this book, we do not attempt to teach how to read music, nor do we expect that you have learned this
skill. Indeed, it's not really necessary for playing the hurdy gurdy. Notice the song below:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
3 3
g g
Twin-kle
7
7
d
d
Twin-kle
8 8
e e
Lit- tle
7
d
Star,
6 6
5
5
4
4
3
c
c
b
b
a
a
d
How I won- der what you are.
I picked Twinkle Twinkle little star here because it is easy and everyone knows how it sounds.
4
As you can see, I've also written out the notes on top of the words (those italicized letters above each word).
Above the musical notes are NUMBERS. These are the numbers of the buttons you would press on the
hurdy gurdy. For example, the number 3 refers to button #3 (which happens to be a 'g ' note), the number 7
refers to button #7 on the hurdy gurdy (the note 'd'), etc.
As you hum along the song (use the words to keep track of where you are in the song), follow along by
pressing buttons on the hurdy gurdy. This method is used in all the songs in this book.
We have included an aid to help you get the hang of this. Go to the last two pages of this book and TEAR
OUT the one for your instrument (one is for our symphony model, the other for our Hurdy Gurdies). Follow
the directions on the page and attach the temporary 'labels' to the instrument; this will help you find your way
around the instrument while learning- especially with the 'play by number system' throughout this book.
For the first few songs, we'll pick some easy ones- have fun with these, and we'll learn more about the
instrument as we go through this book.
Are you sleeping
or Frere Jacques
3
4
5
3
g
a
b
g
Are you sleep-ing
7
8
7 6
5
3
4
5
3
g
a
b g
Are you sleep-ing
3
7
8
7
6
5
6 7
b
c d
bro-ther John
5
3
3
0
5 6
7
b c
d
bro-ther John
3
3
0
3
d e
d c b g
d e d c b g
g
d g
g
d
g
Morn-ing bells are ring-ing Morn-ing bells are ring-ing Ding dong dong Ding dong dong
Note: the "0" button number above refers to the open 'G' string, or no buttons pressed
COORDINATING YOUR LEFT & RIGHT HAND:
I feel it's important to mention here a common problem many beginners have- getting hands to work independently. For a good tone, the hurdy gurdy requires a steady, even turning of the wheel. If you turn too
slowly it will likely start to screech & squeal.
The problem is that as your right hand turns more quickly, the beginning player will want to press the buttons
more agressively with their left hand. This will take a little getting used to, turning the right hand with the
required amount of pressure, and then pressing the buttons (left hand) with a somewhat different amount of
pressure. Use these first few songs to get comfortable with this. Pretty soon it will be like riding a bicycleyou will wonder what was ever so difficult about it.
5
The key of 'G'
As we mentioned earlier, your hurdy gurdy falls naturally in the key of 'G'. These first few songs will stick
just to this key, meaning we will only be using the main row of keys (the lowest hanging row of buttons).
With this in mind, let's begin with some old classics.
Yankee Doodle
3 3
g g
Yan- kee
3
3
g
g
Stuck a
4
5
a
b
Doo-dle
4
5
a
b
fea - ther
3
5
g
b
went to
6
c
in
5
b
his
4
a
town
4
a
hat
3
3
4
g
g
a
Ri - ding on
3
g
and
2
0
f#
d
called it
5
b
a
3
2
g
f#
po- ny
1
2
3 3
e
f# g g
Ma- ca - ro - ni
Clementine
3
g
Oh
3
g
my
3 0
g d
dar-ling
7
d
dar -
7
d
ling
6
5
c
b
Clem - en -
3
g
er
3
5
g
b
dread- ful
5
b
ev -
5 5
b b
Oh my
4
a
tine
5
b
dar-
4
5
a
b
Thou art
4
0
a
d
sor - ry
6
3
g
ling
6
c
lost
1
2
e
f#
Clem - en -
3
g
Oh
6
c
and
3
g
tine
5
b
my
5
4
b
a
gone for-
Kumbaya
3
5 7
g
b d
Kum - ba- ya
7
d
ya,
7
7
d
d
my lord
8
8
7
e
e
d
Kum- ba - ya
7
7
d
d
my lord,
7
d
ya,
7
d
my
3
5
g
b
Kum- ba-
6
5
4
c
b
a
Kum - ba - ya
7
d
lord
3
5
g
b
Kum - ba -
8
8
e
e
Kum - ba -
5
b
Lord,
4
4
a
a
Kum - ba -
7
d
ya
6
c
Oh
3
g
ya
The First Noel
5- 4
3
b-a
g
5-6 7
b-c-d
8-9
10-9
8
7
8
9
10-9
8
7- 8
e-f#
g-f#
e
d
e
f#
g-f#
e
d- e
The
First No-el,
the
an-gel did say,
9
10
7
6
5
5-4
3
4
5-6
7
f#
g
d
c
b
b-a
g
a
b-c
g
in fields as they lay;
8-9
10-9
e-f#
8
g-f#
7
e
In
fields where they lay,
8
d
f#
9
10
On
a
cold
d
keep-ing their sheep,
Was to cer-tain poor shep-herds
9 -8
g
7-8
f#-e
9
d-e
win-ter’s
f#
night
10-7
g -d
6
c
5
b
that was so deep
5-4
3-4
5-6
7
10-9
8-9
10-11
12-11
10
9
8
7-8
9
10-7-6-5
b-a
g-a
b-c
d
g-f#
e-f#
g-a
b-a
g
f#
e
d-e
f#
g-d-c-b
No -
el
No- el,
No - el,
No - el,
7
Born is the king of
Israel
Chromatic Notes
So far, all the songs we've been playing have only used the 'diatonic' keys (the lower row). Let's get some
sharps & flats worked in. In some of the following pages, you will see music with slightly different notation.
Here is a line from Scarborough Fair:
3
g
Are
3
g
you
7
d
going
to
7
d
4
4 1/2
4
a
bb
a
Scar - bo - rough
3
g
fair
Notice that one of the buttons is notated as number "4 1/2". This means you will press the button on the upper
row of keys, between buttons number 4 & 5.
Keep an eye out for this throughout the next song.
Scarborough Fair
3
g
Are
3
g
3
g
you
7
8 1/2
d
f
Parse- ly
10
10
g
g
Re- mem
-
7
d
going
10
g
Sage
10
g
ber
4 11/2
a f
there
4
a
true
7
d
to
4
4 1/2 4
a bb a
Scar - bo - rough
81/2
7
f
d
Rose - ma -
81/2
f
me
7
d
to
3
g
She
3
1 1/2
3
g
f
g
love of
mine
8
8
e
ry
3
g
fair
6
c
and
7
d
Thyme
7
6
d
c
one who
41/2
bb
lives
7
d
once
6
c
was
41/2
bb
a
Grace Notes
"Grace Notes" are a way of adding some spice to songs. These are quick little 'filler' notes; which you can
throw in anywhere. They make a song sound a little more 'polished'.
Anyone familiar with bagpipe music will recognize this musical technique. Let's jump right in with an
example of how to do this.
Here is a line of music from the old song 'Danny Boy':
3
3
4
5
4 5
8
7
5
4 3 3
3 4 5
8
7
4
3
5
4
g
g a
b a b e d
b a g g
g a b
e
d a g
b
a
Oh Dan-ny boy, the pipes the pipes are call-ing, from glen to glen, and down the moun-tain side
Go ahead and play it a few times until you are comfortable with it.
You will notice the first few notes of music are both 'G' notes. When playing this song on the hurdy gurdy,
you will notice that these sounds run together. Let's throw in a 'grace note' between those, just to make
them stand out a little bit.
Here's how you do it: in between the first two notes (noted as '3') we are going to very quickly tap the #4
button. You don't want to press the button hard enough to make the full note, just enough to make a quick
'flickering' sound.
Here is the line of music written again, this time with an added "*" symbol between those first two notes.
This symbol denotes the added grace note:
3
3 4
5 4 5
8 7
5 4 3 3
3 4 5
8 7
4 3 5
4
*
g
g a
b a b e d
b a g g
g a b
e
d a g
b
a
Oh Dan-ny boy, the pipes the pipes are call-ing, from glen to glen, and down the moun-tain side
With a little practice, this technique can add a lot of 'sparkle' to a song. In the above example, we hit the #4
button to get the grace note. Why did we choose the #4 button? Since it is directly beside the actual note
we were playing (the '3', or 'C' note) it was the most convenient. Let's add another grace note, here is the
same line of music again, note there is another symbol for a 2nd grace note:
3
3 4
5 4 5
8 7
5 4 3 3
3 4 5
8 7
4 3 5
4
*
*
g
g a
b a b e d
b a g g
g a b
e
d a g
b
a
Oh Dan-ny boy, the pipes the pipes are call-ing, from glen to glen, and down the moun-tain side
For that second grace note, you would very quickly tap a neighboring button. This time I would pick the #5
button.
Now that you have an understanding of what a grace note is and how to play them, let's move on to the next
song....
9
Here is the full version of the song we were just tinkering with. I have left the two "*" symbols in the first
line of music (just as on the previous page). There are also additional symbols scattered throughout this
piece of music. I would recommend just playing through the song simply for the first few times. Once you
are comfortable with it, THEN add in some grace notes.
Danny Boy
3
3 4
5 4 5
8 7
5 4 3 3
3 4 5
8 7
4 3 5
*
*
*
g
g a
b a b e d
b a g g
g a b
e
d a g
b
Oh Dan-ny boy, the pipes the pipes are call-ing, from glen to glen, and down the moun-tain
4
3
4 3
3 3 4
5 6 5 43 4
*
*
*
g g
a
b a b e d b a g g g a
b c b ag a
the sum-mer's gone, and all the flow-ers dy- ing, tis you must go and darl-ing I must
a
side,
3
g
7
d
8
e
3
4
5
9 10
f# g
4 5
9 9 8
f#* f# e
8 7
5
7 8
d e
7 5
d b
7 8
d e
9
f#
10-9 9
g-f# f#
8
e
7
d
5
b
bide but come ye back, when sum-mers in the mea-dow or when the val-ley's hushed and white with
4
7
7
10
12
a
snow
d
tis
d
I'll
g
be
b
here
7-5
3
d-b
g
sha - dow
*
3
g
oh
11
a
in
11
10
8
10
a
g
e
sun -shine or
g
in
3 4
5
8
7-5
4 3 3
4 3
*
*
g
a
b
e
d-b
a b b
a b
Dan - ny boy oh Dan-ny boy I love you so
10
When you were playing 'Danny Boy', you may have noticed that the easiest and most obvious place to add
grace notes was between repititions of the same note. That's a safe and easy way to start, but you can add
grace notes in other places as well. For instance, you can slip in a grace note wherever there is a little
'pause' in the timing.
Let's try this technique with another song: First, play the basic song a few times, just to get comfortable with
it.
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
0
d
My
5
4 3
b
a g
bon - nie lies
0
5
d
b
o- cean
5
4
3
b
a
g
bon - nie lies
4 2
e f#
o - ver
0
d
Oh-
3
g
the
4 3
a g
o- ver
4
a
sea
1
e
the
0 5
d b
o- cean
0
d
My
0
d
My
5 4 3 4 3 1
b a b a g e
bon- nie lies o-ver the
1
4 3
2 1
2
e
a g f# e
f#
bring back my bon- nie to
3
g
me
Now, let's add in some grace notes. We will start wherever there is a repitition of the same note, and then
throw in a few wherever there are pauses.
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
0
d
My
5
4 3
b
a g
bon - nie lies
0
5
*
d
b
o- cean
5
4
3
b
a
g
bon - nie lies
4 2
e f#
o - ver
3
g
the
4 3
a g
o- ver
4
a
sea
1
*
e
the
0 5
d b
o- cean
0
*
d
My
0
1
4 3
2 1
2
*
d
e
a g f# e
f#
Oh- bring back my bon- nie to
0
d
My
5 4 3 4 3 1
b a b a g e
bon- nie lies o-ver the
3
g
me
For the rest of this book, we won't add the "*" to music. Instead, we'll leave that up to you as to when and
how often you throw in grace notes.
11
Playing in different keys
So far, everything we have worked on has been in the key of 'G' Let's try something in a different key.
Your hurdy gurdy is chromatic, so the melody strings aren't a problem. However, your drone notes won't
always fit in every key.
A quick way to figure out what drone notes will work is to use the '1' and '5' notes of the scale. I'll explain
what this means, but first we must give some quick background into music.
There are seven (7) main notes in music. Very simply, these are
A B C D E F G
Just like the first seven letters of the alphabet. There's no 'H' or 'I' in music, it only goes through 'G'. What
happens after you get to 'G'? You start over again, so it would be something like:
A B C D E F G
A B C D E F G
If you have some musical background, you will note this is just like the white keys of a piano.
Note: you may remember that we mentioned the bb notes earlier in the book (used in Scarborough Fair). These are
some of the 'in between' notes- for example bb (pronounced as 'b flat') is the note between a & b. For the sake of
simplicity in respect to our drone strings, we won't worry about these right now; we'll just stick to basics.
If you are in the key of 'C' for example, the scale would actually be
C D E F G A B C
Since it is a 'C' scale, it starts on a 'C' note instead of an 'A'. Simple enough. In fact, if you are in the 'C'
scale, the "C" note is the first note of the scale, the 'D' note is the 2nd note of the scale, "E" is 3rd, etc. It
would look something like this:
C D E F G A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Earlier we mentioned that "a quick way to figure out what drone notes will work is to use the '1' and '5'
notes of the scale". If you are playing in the key of 'C' your drones would be 'C' and 'G' notes (note the 1 &
5 numbers above).
Our next few songs are in the key of 'D'. So, let's re-arrange our scale accordingly (as above):
D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The 1 & 5 notes of this scale are 'D' and 'A'. This is what your drone strings should be tuned to in order to
play in this key. As you probably recall, your drone strings are tune to 'G' & 'D'. You have two options:
12
1) You can re-tune your 'G' drone string UP a note so that it becomes a 'A'
or, much more simply
2) Just turn 'off' the 'G' drone string . This would leave only your 'D' drone on (remember that the 1 & 5
notes are 'D' & 'A', so the 'D' is OK).
Let's go with option #2. Turn off your 'G' drone and now you are ready to play this next song.
NOTE: KEY OF D
Auld Lang Syne
4
a
Should
7
d
ne -
7
d
days
7
d
auld
7
d
ac-
7
9
11
d f#
a
ver brought to
5 5
b
b
of auld
11
9
a
f#
Au - ld
8
7
e
d
kind- ness
12
b
mind?
4
a
Lang
9
f#
La -
7
d
quaint-
11
a
ng
8
9 8
e
f# e
yet for
9
f#
ance
8
e
be
7
8
d
e
for- got
12
11
9 9
7
b
a
f# f#
d
Should auld ac- quaint-ance
7
d
Syne?
12
b
For
11 9
a f#
au- ld
12
b
Syne
12
b
We'll
11
a
take
7
5
5
4
d
b
b
a
Auld
Lang
7
d
Syne
NOTE: Don't forget to throw in some grace notes!
13
9 7
f# d
lang
8
e
be
8
e
syne
9
f#
a
9 8
f# e
and
7 8
d e
for- got
9 8
f# e
and
7
8
12
d
e
b
my dear for
9
f#
cup
7
d
of
Let's try another song in the key of 'D. As before, be sure to either turn 'off' your 'G' drone or retune it to
'A'.
Deck the Halls
NOTE: KEY OF D
4
a
Deck
4
a
Tis
3 2 1
0
1 2 0
g f# e
d
e f# d
the hall with boughs of hol -ly
3 2
1
g f# e
the sea- son
1 2
e f#
Don we
4
a
Troll
3
1
g
e
now our
3 2
1
g f# e
the an- cient
0 1 2 0
d e f# d
to be jol - ly
1 2 3 1 2
e f# g e f#
fa la la la la
1 2 3 1 2
e f# g e f#
fa la la la la
2 3
4 2
f# g
a f#
gay app - ar- rel
2 3 4
f# g a
fa la la
0 1
2 0
d
e
f# d
Yule - tide car- ol
1
e
la
0
d
la
5 61/2 7
b c# d
fa la la
5 5 5 5 4
b b b b a
Fa la la la la
14
1 0
e d
la la
3
g
la
1
e
la
0
d
la
1
e
la
0
d
la
61/2 5
c# b
la la
2
f#
la
4
a
la
1 0
e d
la la
Let's go back to our normal key, which is the key of 'G'. Be sure to turn your 'G' drone back 'on'. This
next tune is an old standard.
Amazing Grace
NOTE: KEY OF G
0
3
5
d
g
b
A - ma - zing
0
d
sound
0
d
That
7
d
5
b
I
0
d
found
1
e
Was
3
g
saved
7
d
once
3
g
blind
5
b
3
g
3
g
5
b
5
b
now
I
4
a
how
4 5
a b
like
3
0
g
d
lost, but
4
a
15
5
b
Grace,
5
b
wretch
a
5 7
b d
was
5
b
but
3
g
3
g
see
1
e
now
3
g
sweet
1
e
the
7
d
me
3
3
g
g
am
1
e
The Dog
(symphonie players: skip to the next song on
page 17)
This will be on the G drone string.
It is used to create a buzzing sound that
you can use with the wheel to produce a
rhythm. There is a violin peg sticking out
of the tail piece, which is connected in turn
to the 'G' drone via a piece of string (this
string is called the 'tirant'). The tighter the
tirant is, the more buzzing effect there will
be. The looser it is, the plainer and more
mellow the sound will be. (I remember it
by thinking "when the dog is loose it's
gone".) The dog only works when you
are cranking forward. The purpose of
the dog is to create a percussive effect
when you are turning the wheel. You can create rhythms by emphasizing certain strokes of the wheel.
Let's get started by turning on the 'dog'. To do this, hold your hurdy gurdy in your lap and make sure the
'G' drone string is 'on' the wheel. It's helpful to turn off the other strings, at least in the beginning. With your
right hand crank the wheel. With your left hand, turn the peg (as denoted by the yellow arrow in the above
picture) slowly until you hear a slight intermittent buzzing sound. You will notice that, as you turn the peg,
the little string that connects it to the 'G' drone will get tighter & tighter. If you just don't hear the effect, try
cranking the wheel with a jerking motion. (Note: there is more information on setting up the tirant/dog on the top
of page 28)
How do you know when have the right amount of tension on the 'dog'? When you turn the wheel evenly
and smoothly, it should sound normal (no buzzing). But, if while turning the wheel you 'gyrate' your hand
(sort of a jerking motion instead of the normal smooth cranking), you will hear a 'buzz'. This is ideal. In
medieval dance music the hurdy gurdy player would often be the rhythm section as well as the music! By
'gyrating' (or jerking) your cranking hand in time to the music, you can create a steady percussion sound
which adds a lot to the music. If it 'buzzes' constantly, even when you're not trying, then you've got it too
tight. Loosen up the peg and take another stab at it. Once you've got it, turn 'on' the other strings; it's likely
you will need to adjust the tuning of the 'dog' string because the pulling of the tirant makes the string go
sharp, now is a good time to do this.
'Dog' Exercise # 1
NOW: how do you make this work for you? Start by practicing with just your right hand. While turning
the wheel, count 1 to 4, over and over.
1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc
nice and evenly.
Make the dog 'buzz' every time you get to '1'. Practice this until you can do it consistently. If you are having
difficulty getting a decent 'buzzing' sound, try tightening up the peg just a little more. The first time might
take some extra adjustments until you get the hang of it.
16
'Dog' Exercise # 2
Once you get the hang of the first exercise, Practice again, only this time make it 'buzz' on 1 & 3. Practice
this until you can do it consistently.
'Dog' Exercise # 3
As with exercise #2, time make the dog 'buzz' on 1 & 3. Only this time make the buzz on '3' much more
quiet. You will have the loud, normal buzz on the '1' count, and a more subdued buzz on the '3' count.
Practice until you can do this consistently.
Another way to get used to this is to play along with a radio. Don't worry about your left hand, just practice
buzzing along with a song, keeping your own rhythm with the music.
Let's take on another song, this time adding in the 'dog'. As with the other songs in this book, start by
learning the basic song first. Don't worry about adding in the dog until you can play it comfortably with both
hands the normal way.
Row Your Boat
3
g
Row
3
g
Row
5
b
Gent-
10
g
Mer-
7
d
Life
4
a
ly
10
g
i-
10
g
ly
6
c
is
3
g
Row
5
b
down
6
c
the
7
7
d
d
Mer - i -
5
b
but
4
a
your
5
b
boat
7
d
stream
7
d
ly
5
b
Mer
4
a
a
5
b
-i
5
b
- ly
3
3
g
g
Mer - i -
3
g
ly
3
g
dream
Now lets add in the dog. To learn this song, start by making a buzzing sound on each individual note. If
you completed the practice exercises, you will find that it isn't that tough to 'buzz' the rhythm properly, nor is
it that tough to play the left hand part. The real difficulty comes in doing them both at the same time!
This is the part where you just practice practice practice! It will come, be patient with yourself. In the
meantime experiment with the rest of this book, learning more songs and becoming more comfortable with
the instrument.
17
Here's another song in the key of 'G'. Learn the basic song, then add in the 'dog'.
When the Saints Come Marching In
3
g
Oh
3
g
Oh
4
5
6
a
b
c
when the saints
4
5
a
b
when the
5
4
b
a
Lord I
5
b
go
3
3
5
7
g
to
b
be
d
in
5
b
go
3
g
march-
4
5
a
b
march- ing
6
c
saints
g
want
5
6
7
b
c
d
When the saints
3
g
Go
3
4
g
a
march-ing
18
5
b
ing
3
g
in
6
c
in
4
a
in
7
7
6
d
d
c
that num- ber
NOTE: Key of G (all drones on!) - the good news is you get to take a break from working on the 'dog'!)
Loch Lomond
1 3
3 4 5
4 3
4
4 3
1
0 1
3
3
3
5 7
e
g
g a b
a g
a
a
g
e
d e g
g
g b
d
By yon bon-nie banks and by yon bon-nie braes where the sun shines bright on Loch
8
7
e
g
Lo- mond
7
8 8
7 5
5 7
6
5
4 3 1
0
g
e e
d b
b d
c b
a g e
d
There me and my true love spent ma- ny hap- py days on
3 3
5 7
8
7 5
g g
b d
e d
b
bon-nie bon-nie banks o' Loch
4
4 3 1
0 1
a
a g
e
d
e
I'll take the low road and
8
8
e
e
me and
7 5
5
d b
b
my true love
3
3 5 7
g
g b d
bon-nie bon-nie
8
7
e
d
banks of
4
3
0-1 3
3 4 5 4 3
a
g
d-e g
g a b a
g
Lo- mond
Oh you'll take the high road and
3
3 3 3 5 7
g
g g g b
d
I'll be in Scot-land be-
7
d
will
6
5
c
b
ne- ver
5
4
b
e
Loch Lo-
3
d
mond
19
4
3
a
g
meet a-
8
e
fore
1
e
gain
7
d
ye
0
d
on
7
d
But
1
e
the
1
e
the
NOTE: Key of G
Jingle Bells
0 5
4
3
0
d b
a
g
d
Da-shing through the snow
1
6
5 4
e
c
b
a
O'er the fields we
0
d
Bells
2
f#
fun
5
b
on
4
3
a
g
bob- tail
6
c
it
5 5
0
0
d d
In a
1
e
go
0
d
one
8
7
6
e
d
c
Laugh- ing all
0
d
ring
0 5
d
b
Ma- king
5
4
7
7
7
7
b
a
d
d
d
d
is to ride and sing a
5
5
5
5
5 7
3 4
5
6
c
Oh
6
4
a
the
1
e
sleigh
5
b
way
4
3
1
a
g
e
spi- rits bright
8
7
e
d
sleigh- ing
b b
b
b b
b b d g a
b
Jin- gle bells, Jin- gle bells Jin-gle all the way
5
b
one
5
4
3
b
a
g
horse o - pen
6
6
b
song
1
e
What
4
3
a
g
to - night
6 6 66 5
5 5
c c
c c c cb b b b
Oh what fun it is to ride in a
4
4 5
4
7 5 5
5
5 5
5
5 7 3
4
a a b
a
d b b
b b b
b
b d g
a
horse o- pen sleigh, O Jin- gle bells Jin-gle bells Jin- gle all the
6
6 6
c
c
c
what fun it
6
c
is
5
b
to
5 5
5
b b
b
ride in a
20
5
7
7
6 4
d
d
c b
one horse o- pen
3
g
sleigh
5
b
way
Key of C. This song is a little slower, so it's OK to turn off your dog (loosening it all the way) so you won't
'rattle' while you play. Be sure to throw in some grace notes to dress it up!
America
(My Country 'Tis of Thee)
3
3
4
2
g g
a
My coun- try
3
f#
g
tis of
4 3 2
a
g f#
of thee I
4
5
a
thee
3
g
sing
5
6
b
b c
Sweet land of
7 7
7
d
d
d
Land where my
6
6 6
c
c c
Land of the
6
5
4
c b
a
pil-grims pride
5
6 7
b
c d
moun-tain-side
8 6 5
4
e c b
a
Let free-dom
21
5
4
3
b a g
Li- ber-ty
7
6
5
d c
b
fa-thers died
5 6 5 4 3
b c b a g
From ev-e - ry
3
g
ring
The Key of G minor:
With the exception of Scarborough Fair, most of our songs so far have been in the keys of 'G' or 'D'. For
the next two tunes we are going to change things around a little bit and move into the key of 'G minor'.
What's the difference between the regular key of 'G' (also called 'G major') and the key of 'G minor'?
Without going into the technical reasons, the best explanation is that 'G minor' sounds sad, whereas the
regular key of 'G major' sounds happy.
There are two notes that are different in the key of 'G' minor, these are bb (instead of the regular b note) and
f (instead of the regular f# note). The change from the normal fingerings would have you playing button #41/
2 and button #81/2.
We'll start with a simple practice exercise to help you get the hang of this. First, we'll climb up the scale begin by turning the wheel of the Hurdy Gurdy with your right hand. With your left hand, press the following buttons in order:
3
g
4
a
41/2
bb
6
c
7
d
8
e
81/2
f
10
g
4
a
3
g
We'll conclude by climbing back down the scale:
10
g
81/2
f
8
e
7
d
6
c
41/2
bb
Practice playing these a few times to help your fingers become accustomed to this.
Greensleeves
Key of G minor (all drones on)
3 41/2
6 7 8-7 6
4 11/2 3-4 41/2 3 3
g bb
d
d e-d c
a
f
g-a bb
g g
A - las my love you do me wrong to cast me off
11/2 4 11/2 0
f a
f
d
dis-cour- teous-ly
41/2
6
7 8-7 6
4 11/2 3-4 41/2 4-3 2-1
bb
c d e-d c
a
f
g-a bb a-g f#-e
I
have loved you well and long de-light -ing in
2
3 3 3
f#
g g g
your com-pan-y
81/2
f
Green -
81/2 8 -7 6
f
e-d c
sleeves was all
4 11/2
b f
my joy
41/2 3
1 11/2 4 11/2 0
bb
g
e-f
a
f d
Green -sleeves was my de - light
81/2
81/2 8 7 6
4 11/2 3-4 41/2 4 3 2 1
2
3
f
f
e
d c
a f
g-a
bb a g f# e
f#
g
Green - sleeves was my heart of gold
ah who but my la - dy green - sleeves
22
3
g
For
Here's another tasty little song that you hear a lot a Renaissance fairs.
Drunken Sailor
NOTE: Key of G minor
7
7 7
7
7
7
7 3 41/2 7
6
6
6 6 6
6
6 11/2 4 6
d
d d
d d d d g bb d
c
c c c c
c c f a c
What do you do with a drun-ken sai-lor What do you do with a drunk-en sai- lor
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
81/2-10
d
d d d d
d
d e f
g
What do you do with a drunk-en sail- or
81/2-7
6
4
f
d c
ear-ly in
a
the
After you play this one through a few times, try to play it using your dog.
23
3
3
f
f
morn- ing
Well, we've come to the last song in this book. In the old days, television stations would often play the
following song just before going off the air at 1:00 a.m. With this in mind, it seems fitting to make this the
last song of our book as well (is this a possible insight into what time of the evening I am writing this page?).
This song is in the key of 'G' so be sure to turn on all your drones.
America the Beautiful
7
d
O
7
5 5
d
b b
beau- ti- ful
7 5
d
b
pur- ple
5
7
b
d
moun-tains
12 12 11
b
b
a
mer - i- ca
10
g
crown
7
d
for
7
4
4
5
d
a
a
b
spa- cious skies for
7
4
4
d
a
a
maj- es- ties
10
10 9
9
g
g
f# f#
A - mer- i - ca
8 8
10
e
e
g
thy good with
10 7
7
g
d d
bro-ther-hood
4
a
A-
6 7 8
9
c d e
f#
am-ber waves of
31/2 4 5
1
g# a b
e
bove the fruit- ed
8
e
sea
7
d
For
5
b
plain
10
11 9
8 7
g
a f# e
d
God shed his grace on
7
d
from
7
d
grain
10 7
11
g d
a
to shin- ing
7
d
A-
10
g
thee
10
g
And
10
g
sea
This song might not benefit so much from the dog, but you could dress it up with grace notes.
Hopefully you've enjoyed exploring what these wonderful instruments are capable of. Be sure to email us if
you have any ideas how we can improve this book.
In the meantime, we wish you all the best on this wonderful adventure that is the hurdy gurdy!
George & Anwyn Leverett
January 2008
24
Alternate Tunings
When you wish to play in keys other than C you can change the tuning of your drone strings. Earlier
in this book, we covered a quick technique for figuring out what your drones should be for various keys (or
deciding which strings to turn 'off'). Listed below, we thought we would take some guesswork out of this
and give you some alternate tunings.
top (dog)
G drone
bottom
'D' drone
key of A
A
E
tune up / tune up
key of Bb
F
Bb tune down / tune down
key of B
F#
B tune down / tune down
key of C:
G
C
normal tuning, no change
key of D:
A
D
key of E
G (or B)
E
key of F:
F
key of G
G
tune up / tune up
no change (or tune up) / tune up
C tune down / no change
D
no change / tune up
RESOURCES
We are currently in the process of making a series of free 5 minute videos for our customers which
address various things about the Hurdy Gurdy. We thought it would be helpful to actually hear and see how
to adjust and play it. For more in-depth instructions go to http://altarwind.com/hghelp.html.
Other wise, feel free to call Anwyn at the Hurdy Hot Line 1-888-265-9711 or e-mail me at
[email protected]
Hurdy Gurdy used in the following songs on our c.d. 'Altar Wind'
#5 Loch Lomond
#6 O'keef's Slide
#7 An Bristin Mire
#8 Novus Annus
#9 The Athole Highlanders
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Hurdy Gurdy Maintenance:
The Hurdy Gurdy is a "cranky" instrument. They are easy to play, but tricky to keep adjusted until
you get used to it's idiosyncracies. The Hurdy Gurdy sounds better the more and more it's played. (as the
wheel becomes seasoned.)
They are at their best when you have achieved the delicate balance between rosin on the wheel and
cotton on the strings that has just a bit of rosin worked into it. Too much rosin in the cotton and it starts to
shriek and you have to change the cotton again. Too little rosin and it is too quiet or doesn't make any
sound at all. A well seasoned Hurdy Gurdy can go months of frequent playing without needing to change
the cotton or rosin. Sometimes you can post-pone this by pulling the cotton a little and loosening it on the
string, fluff it up a little, or give the wheel a quick jerk in the opposite directions you usually turn it to loosen
it.
The upper notes can be a little squeaky because the strings are being pushed slightly off the crest of
the wheel. With a huge wheel this is less of a problem, but not practical for a lap Hurdy Gurdy. This is just
the nature of the portable Hurdy Gurdy. The wooden knob on the crank is loose on purpose, so it can
rotate on the shaft. If it didn't it would rub your hand raw.
There are some basic things you need to do to ensure that your hurdy gurdy sounds it's best. The
following steps outlined below are also detailed in free videos on our website. You can view them at :
www.altarwind.com/hghelp.html
BREAKING IN THE HURDY GURDY Hurdy Gurdies have a 'break in' period. You will likely find that
you are changing the cotton and rosin fairly often at first. As you progress, your new instrument will become
much easier to maintain. The reason for this is: the wheel it appears to be very smooth and shiny, but if you
were to look it under a micropscope you would see lots of little pores in the wood. Over time, these pores
will fill in with rosin and the wheel surface will truly become smoother and smoother (on the microscopic
level). When this happens the wheel has 'seasoned in' and will require much less fussing with the cotton. We
try to help this along before we ship it to you, but the best remedy is to just play and play.
ROSIN THE WHEEL: If some of your strings are very weak sounding, or not sounding at all, you need to
rosin the wheel. Remove the wheel cover, (it is held in place by the two blocks of wood on the sides, it
slides in and out of place.) Hold the cake against the wheel and crank away for about 4-5 rotations or so
until you have a nice sharp tone.
CHANGE THE COTTON: The cotton protects the string. If it weren't there, the wheel would eventually
wear through the strings. The cotton also mellows out the tone, but over time it becomes caked up with
rosin and the instrument will sound 'chirpy' or 'screechy'. First, peel off the old cotton. Place a little whisp
near the string and crank away, letting the cotton get caught in the string. Lightly press the cotton a little with
your finger to firm it up, DO NOT TOUCH THE WHEEL WITH YOUR HANDS! The oil from your
hands will make the wheel not accept rosin!! The cotton wraps in the direction you are cranking, turning
backwards unwraps it and usually balls it up and you have to change it again. (NOTE: the dog only works
when turning the wheel clockwise). This is why it's a good idea to stick with one direction for cranking the
wheel.
A mistake beginners make is to put too much new cotton on the string. When you first get your
Hurdy Gurdy, take a look at how the cotton is wrapped. It should be a thin, delicate tube of meshed
cotton. If after you change it, it looks like a fuzzy caterpillar wrapped in a spiral around the string, you have
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See how the cotton is thinly wrapped.
THIS IS IDEAL
See how thick & fuzzy the cotton is?
DON'T DO THIS
too much cotton on and the rosin hasn't glued it into a tube. The cotton should be an even tube across the
wheel, if it is lumpy or just on part of the wheel surface it will screech. Sometimes it slides over off the
wheel while playing, just slide it back on.
Oiling the Crankshaft
It is doubtful that you will ever need to oil the crank shaft, we do that during installation. If it were
ever to get squeaky or stiff put a few drops of oil in the little grommet hole between the wheel & bridge.
You can also work it into the end of the instrument from the handle. DO NOT GET OIL ON THE
WHEEL! If this happens, call us. Worse case scenario, the wheel might have to be replaced.
The Tangents
The tangents are inside the keychest. These are the little wooden wedges that contact the string
when you press a button. Once you have the strings tuned properly, the next thing to do it tune individual
notes of the scale (if they seem out) using the tangents. Use the black allen wrench to turn the tangents,
insert in hole of screw head and turn gently. Turning toward the wheel with sharpen the note, turning
toward the head- stock will flatten the note. Humidity can affect the notes, but it is rare that these need a lot
of adjustment.
Those Pesky Harmonics
A harmonic is when you hear the note you expect plus the note 5 notes above at the same time from
the same string! This is a weird harmonic anomaly caused by the bowing action, metal wound strings and
cotton. It is not a tuning problem. Don't re-tune the string! It also happens with violins or any bowed
instrument. Metal wound strings are more prone to this. The metal coils on the string can interface with the
wheel in a weird way, especially if the cotton has gaps in it . Eventually the coils will be beaten into submission and this will all but stop. Try this first: jerk the wheel sharply in the opposite direction, or pluck the
string with your finger or fluff up the cotton.
If you are having excessive amount of problems with this, you can replace the drones with nylon
guitar strings of a similar gauge, which can be purchased at a music shop, or call us.
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The Dog
If you just can't get the 'dog' to rattle successfully, you may need to change the angle of the tirant. If the
'dog' just won't rattle for you:
turn the peg until the tirant string is as loose as possible.
now, turn the peg once more to tighten up the tirant, but as you do so make sure that the string
wraps 'upward' around the peg -such that it goes up at a steeper angle to the string.
If the peg is too tight and won't turn easily, there are two solutions: first, work it upwards, loosening
it in it's socket. The second solution is to get some 'peg dope' / 'peg soap'/ 'peg compound' as your local
music store (it could have any of these labels, depending on the music store) and work it onto the peg. This
would lubricate it so that it would turn more easily.
Troubleshooting your hurdy gurdy
Symptom
Sound is Chirpy / Squeeky
Causes / Solution
Cotton needs to be changed (most likely)
Are you holding it like a guitar? (somewhat likely)
It squeaks if it's laying
flat. Attention Symphonie players: Make sure the high
note buttons are not being pushed in by your knee!
If you're certain the cotton is fresh and it only happens
when pressing button, you may be pressing the buttons too
hard. Try pressing the buttons more gently.
Strings too heavy on wheel (rare):
this is a rare problem and
would likely be seasonal, as the wood of the bridge contracts and the strings are resting more heavily on the
wheel. A quick solution is to place a tiny fold of paper
in the groove under the string, thus raising the string.
It's too loud; or too harsh sounding
Too much rosin on wheel
Usually changing the cotton a few times will correct
this problem, as the cotton will eventually soak up the
rosin. You can 'help' this along by holding tissue paper
or cloth against the wheel while turning it.
The dog won't rattle
Assuming you've turned it on,check the angle of the tirant
(described in the maintenance section-top of this page).
The dog rattles too much
Loosen the tirant (turn the peg).
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Troubleshooting your hurdy gurdy
(continued)
Symptom
Causes / Solution
It is screeching and the notes
I play aren't really registering. It sounds
especially bad when I'm not pressing
any notes!
Check the buttons: One of the buttons is
probably jammed in the play position. Make sure all
your buttons have fallen back in to their natural 'not
playing position'
Some of the buttons are chirpy when I'm
Playing
The cotton needs to be changed. It's either caked up with
rosin, or lumpy and contacting the wheel unevenly.
Sound is 'lackluster', some strings
are too quiet
The wheel needs rosin
Do you have too much cotton on the strings? Just a little
whisp is best.
Are the strings tuned to the correct pitch? If the melody
strings are too low in pitch, they don't 'sound' properly.
This instrument & strings are designed for optimum sound
when tuned to middle 'd'.
It is squeeky / noisy when I turn the
wheel, even with all the strings 'off'
You need to oil the crank shaft.
The cotton on the strings keep
sliding off the wheel. It's really
irritating!
Place the string in the 'off' position. take some
rosin and rub it along the string where the cotton is
supposed to be. Then slide the cotton back into place. The
rosin will help the cotton 'stick' in place over the wheel
The upper notes don't sound very good
Are you turning the wheel briskly & firmly? Too slowly or
timidly makes it screech. Too fast is OK, it will be slightly
louder but you will get tired sooner! (Something I've
noticed with people who do not come from a guitar back
ground: They tend to want to work both their hands with
the same intensity. If they are cranking fast enough they
want to jam the buttons in and it screeches.) Remember:
The right hand cranks briskly, the left hand pushes lightly.
With practice you will be able to disconnect your hands.
Some of the buttons sound 'off',
The tangents may need to be tuned.
If the intonation is too far gone for adjustments to the
tangents, your Hurdy Gurdy is equipped with a 'moveable
nut". Look inside the keychest and you can adjust the
wooden piece that the strings rest on (near the tuners).
The 7th button should be exactly 1/2 way between the
bridge and the movable nut.
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NOTE GUIDE FOR HURDY GURDY
1
E
1 Cut out the rectangle to the right.
3
G
3. Place this rectangle under the row of keys closest
to you, as you hold the instrument (this is the row with
the most keys, or the 'diatonic' keys)
2
F#
2. Place it on top of the keychest, where the ends of
the buttons stick up (not the ends of the buttons that
you press; rather the ends the point upwards as you
hold the instrument properly.
4. Line up the #1/A label under the first button.
4
A
5. Use some small pieces of tape to fasten into place.
5
B
6
C
7
D
8
E
9 10
F# G
hurdy gurdy with note strip in place
11
A
12
B
13
D
symphonie with note strip in place