Have a look at Jon with his Dugue Guitar HG in the members photos
page :-)

Okay, im starting to potter around on this....I will get some dates
when the venues are available and will approach bands and makers to
see who would like to come up.  Thinking March/April/May? Is May too
late? I dont want to clash with anything and I'm not sure when
festival season starts next year. Also I dont want it to be raining
really....can anyone help on that one? ((I did find at sunny Dent FF
that everytime I got my HG out and played it started to rain...I'm
formulating a gros bourdon precipitation theory)
best wishes
Scott!

It was great meeting Jon and Anna last week and we decided that HG's
are like creatures and have their own personalities. I have opened a
folder for lovely sentimental types to add pics of their favourite
wooden people's faces. :-D

Check out the weather here.  It's going to be hot - again !

http://www.192directory.co.uk/weather_xml.php?id=FRXX0030&length=10

I was just wondering if some of you nice people who have been playing
a while would help me put a CD together for beginners to learn tunes
from. Its hard to learn from sheet music (particularly if you can't
read)and sessions are difficult to learn tunes at even if you record
them....everyone plays so fast! It would be good to have a compilation
of tunes played at normal speed and then slowly so those taking baby
steps can learn to catch up, and not feel so left out if we all meet
up next year. Any suggestions as to what should be on it would be
welcolmed :-) Alternatively if you are able to record onto minidisc or
CD yourself you could post your efforts to me and I could compile them
into free beginner's HG CDs....just please make sure you are at
concert pitch!

Having now put two tunes in the folder and used up 20% of the alotted
memory, it seems a non starter. Maybe Scott could download and archive
them as they arrive and just leave a title and tune description in the
folder.
A further alternative would be ABC format which can be slowed down at
will. I've tried it and found it difficult to get the subtle timings
that make these tunes work . Maybe someone elsehas that knowledge.

There must be a whole load of trad stuff that everyone plays that we
could put onto CD, with out copyright concerns. Its just to help get
people off the ground and I am happy to burn the CD's and post them
free of charge. I think a CD is better than MP3 on the computer,
because HG's are loud and computer speakers aren't! I will try and get
an ipod, then I can download things you post and burn them to audio
CD....im really not very technical....would this work?!

Thanks Paul....so if I just download the MP3 tracks to my computer for
now you can help me figure out how to put them onto Audio CD? If
anyone would like a beginners CD please let me know...could have
something together fairly soon.
Scott

Hi new people, It would be great to hear from you...please post a
message of introduction, dont be shy :-D
Welcome too to Mr. Muskett!
Very best wishes
Scott

Okay, I dont know what buttons to press etc, but I have figured out a
way of recording from my laptop headphone socket onto my CD recorder.
I dont really understand I.T., im more into cups of tea. If you want
to add some more tunes Neil that would be great. Leave those two on
though, I will delete them once I have downloaded to CDR. I must say I
felt a bit seasick listening to them slowed down digitally like that!
I have been learning 'Last Chance Bouree' this afternoon...its a great
tune :-)

Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: HurdyGurdyForum@... [mailto:HurdyGurdyForum@...]On Behalf Of Neil Brook
Sent: 06 July 2006 20:00
To: HurdyGurdyForum@...
Subject: Re: [HurdyGurdyForum] Re: New GH's

It is exactly that sensitivity which provoked my comment rather than discuss the merits of Claire's instruments.

Neil
http://www.myspace.com/neilbrook
www.hurdy-gurdy.org.uk     

----- Original Message -----

From: Dave Rowlands

To: HurdyGurdyForum@...

Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 4:59 PM

Subject: [HurdyGurdyForum] Re: New GH's

Hi all,

"This is a forum, not an advertising agency"

This is a rather disappointing attitude to see expressed on a forum.

Forums exist to share, or ask for, knowledge, and experiences, with
other players who may be, more or less, experienced than yourself.
Whether that be finding or writing a new tune, asking about, or
pointing out, a new about a maker, or discussing a bad experience
you have had with a maker or booking agent/organizer there is room
for all types of comments, if expressed with sensitivity.

I would expect to find in the files section of this forum, links to
all the makers who have websites, and websites that feature music
for, or by, Gurdy players. Links to Festivals and events either
posted as messages, or placed in the files section; in short, a
comprehensive resource for all levels of players, and people
interested in the Hurdy-Gurdy.

It exists both as a self help group, and as a big advert for all
things Gurdy.

So think again, when you say "This is a forum, not an advertising
agency". When was the last time someone recomended you?

Yours,
Dave Rowlands

A non player of the Hurdy-Gurdy



--- In HurdyGurdyForum@..., "Neil Brook"
<hurdy.gurdy@v...> wrote:
>
>
>   This is a forum, not an advertising agency.
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: aoliandorian
>   To: HurdyGurdyForum@...
>   Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 1:00 AM
>   Subject: [HurdyGurdyForum] New GH's
>
>
>   Hi Y'all
>   Has anybody come across Claire Dugué from Ramsgate in Kent.
>   She makes the most beautiful instruments.
>   I believe she exhibits at St.C
>
>
>
>   
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>   Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date:
04/07/2006
>

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 04/07/2006

Hi,
My name Dave Rowlands. I am not a 'gurdy player, but have had many
happy years playing my pipes with 'gurdies. You may have heard of
the band i used to play with, "Citizen Camembert".

By now you will know that i am an opinionated so & so, but if you
don't have an opinion, then you've no right to comment!

I know many of the names in the membership list, some of whom speak
to me, an some of whom choose not to( maybe it was my opinion that
did it!).

I have recently met some more players over the interweb, and one of
them said to me " Us drone fanatics need to stick together!" I
couldn't agree more.....

So, good luck to you all, and if you are in St.C, do come and say
Hi. If not, i will be making hourly postings to this, and the other
newsgroup, to let people know how the festival is progressing.

TTFN,

Dave R

I had a look at one venue they are available March 3rd/4th, 24th/25th
April 1st/2nd, 7th/8th, 14th/15th 21st/22nd any
clashes/comments....let me know

Hi Dave,
I like it when you join in :-)
Did you mean forums are for sharing or for being shot down on?
I didnt quite understand! That bagpipe forum looks really posh. I
think this one is quite nice though. We are a bit new (and slightly
computer illiterate) so havent got it all together yet. You forgot to
say you are in the awesome group Snaketown!
We have a link to your myspace.
Looking forward to those St. Chartier bulletins

very best wishes

Scott

I tried this last night and it didn't work at all, obviously. Second
go.
I'm an excrutiatingly bad player, due to poor practice record-work and
family cause interruptions +++ and dodgy confidence. I know that
getting to play with other folk would really help, but the
opportunities are limited until the small people are a bit bigger. I
used to own a lovely Bosch which I miss. I swopped it for an Eaton
lute back which sounds fabulous even in my hands- but I still miss my
humble dented Bosch! I started with the French dance route but have
come to really enjoy the mediaeval stuff, although sounds pompous on
lute back.
Glad to be here, though!

Hoorah to the idea of Dave's bulletin service!

It will be most welcome to those of us wusses who daren't  brave the heat this
year!! Also working on the basis of... if we're not there, we can't spend any
money!!

The downside to this is the regrettable fact that we will be unable to drool in
a
terribly undignified fashion over Patrick Bouffard...

Bon vacances Dave et al!!

Anna

PS - Bring us back a sausage from the sausage stall!! ;-)

Just to let everyone know - As of today I'm running a recording studio
specialising in trad/acoustic music. It's a nice facility, fully soundproofed,
acoustically treated etc. If anyone here needs anything recorded, give me a
shout on 01302 321087. (I'll be doing discounts for Gurdy players/pipers etc
as you can have enough guitar after a while...)

Cheers,
Jon

not going to St.C, i have posted some new links that might keep you
occupied, and fill the inevitable vacuum. I'm not going to tell you
where they are, there are to many, so have a poke about.

ATB,

Dave R

Jon, thats cool...if you have a website just add a link! Do you have
the technology to make me sound like I can play?!
best wishes
Scott

Thanks Quilting Martha! Where are you in the country?

Hi im now pottering around on holiday...in Shrewsbury Torquay Plymouth
and then New Radnor festival....any HG players around any of these
places like to meet up?

Reading music with the Hurdy-gurdy Method

So you can't read music? Why not learn? You have done more difficult
things in your life. Think of the freedom you have from being able to
read words; then consider how limited you are in not reading music.
It's worth the effort and not so difficult to learn if you take one
step at a time; just the way you learned to walk and to read. But now
you are adults and can do it in less time. In order to avoid
repeating myself, please see page 20, How to Use This Method.

The reason you can't play music easily by ear is because you have not
grown up from childhood with the tunes ringing in your ears. So you
are forced to develop a sense of rhythm and pitch as well as a good
musical memory; otherwise you must learn to read if you want musical
freedom. Which is the least trouble in the long run and which gives
you the greatest choice? O'Carolan's book has 1000 Irish tunes, yet
most fiddlers can only play a few them – those they have heard.

Although the Hurdy-gurdy Method is about the instrument and how to
play it, it is also set out so that you can learn to read as well as
play.

Page 11 shows you that the note on the 2nd line is called G and that
this is the open note (no keys).
Page 21 shows the note values. The basic note is the crotchet (black
with a stem), which represents a footstep. So 4 crotchets (Lesson 1,
Ex 1c,) represents 4 steps or notes. We call these steps beats and
they give the pulse of the music. A minim (white with a stem)
represents 2 steps – one note lasting 2 beats –  , and white, no stem
= 1 note lasting 4 beats.
Page 22 gives the name of the notes on each line and space. Page 23
Ex 1 shows how to play 4 notes each lasting 1 beat (or step) and
using the first 2 notes of the hurdy-gurdy, G and A.  Say the note
names aloud while you play them slowly and regularly while looking at
them.
You will understand this better by playing and singing Au Clair de la
Lune, p.25. Sing it first while looking at the notes. Then hum the
tune.  Then sing the tune to the note names, c, c, c, d, e—, d— etc.
Then sing and count either 1, 1, 1, 1, | 1-2, 1-2 | etc. or 1,2,3,4,
| 1,2,3,4 | (There are 4 beats in each bar.)
By now the basic `mystery' is resolved. You can do some exercises
without your instrument by humming, singing, counting, fingering,
thinking. When I first learned to play the recorder (which I was
asked to teach!) I managed to learn no more than one new note a week
and one every two or three weeks in the second octave, in spite of
the fact that I already played the clarinet like a professional
(which I was.). So go slowly and consolidate each step before trying
the next one – just like a mountaineer, but safer. If you make a
mistake you will not hurt yourself!
Go to page 34 to recap the above.

Take my word for it. If you work patiently as above you will learn to
read. A child can do it! So can you.
Courage!

Since music notation is the same for all instruments you could take
lessons from anyone who teaches the recorder, violin, piano, etc. but
make sure they do not move you on until you have a thorough grasp of
the previous lesson – a common fault.

Moderately useful web sites:
http://datadragon.com/education/reading/count2.shtml   all there but
goes to fast

http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/readingmusic.htm
Essentially for the piano but shows crotchets, minims & quavers and
gives their sounds

http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/basics_of_counti
ng_rhythms.htm
Shows notes clearly and how to count the time values.

Skip anything that looks complicated. You will come back to it as the
system unfolds.

Michael Muskett

So now all we need is a version of the Method for D-G tuning, or advice
on how to
use all the G-C fingerings on a D-G instrument.

Mark.

michaelmuskett wrote:
> Reading music with the Hurdy-gurdy Method
>
> So you can't read music? Why not learn? You have done more difficult
> things in your life. Think of the freedom you have from being able to
> read words; then consider how limited you are in not reading music.
> It's worth the effort and not so difficult to learn if you take one
> step at a time; just the way you learned to walk and to read. But now
> you are adults and can do it in less time. In order to avoid
> repeating myself, please see page 20, How to Use This Method.
>
> The reason you can't play music easily by ear is because you have not
> grown up from childhood with the tunes ringing in your ears. So you
> are forced to develop a sense of rhythm and pitch as well as a good
> musical memory; otherwise you must learn to read if you want musical
> freedom. Which is the least trouble in the long run and which gives
> you the greatest choice? O'Carolan's book has 1000 Irish tunes, yet
> most fiddlers can only play a few them – those they have heard.
>
> Although the Hurdy-gurdy Method is about the instrument and how to
> play it, it is also set out so that you can learn to read as well as
> play.
>
> Page 11 shows you that the note on the 2nd line is called G and that
> this is the open note (no keys).
> Page 21 shows the note values. The basic note is the crotchet (black
> with a stem), which represents a footstep. So 4 crotchets (Lesson 1,
> Ex 1c,) represents 4 steps or notes. We call these steps beats and
> they give the pulse of the music. A minim (white with a stem)
> represents 2 steps – one note lasting 2 beats –  , and white, no stem
> = 1 note lasting 4 beats.
> Page 22 gives the name of the notes on each line and space. Page 23
> Ex 1 shows how to play 4 notes each lasting 1 beat (or step) and
> using the first 2 notes of the hurdy-gurdy, G and A.  Say the note
> names aloud while you play them slowly and regularly while looking at
> them.
> You will understand this better by playing and singing Au Clair de la
> Lune, p.25. Sing it first while looking at the notes. Then hum the
> tune.  Then sing the tune to the note names, c, c, c, d, e—, d— etc.
> Then sing and count either 1, 1, 1, 1, | 1-2, 1-2 | etc. or 1,2,3,4,
> | 1,2,3,4 | (There are 4 beats in each bar.)
> By now the basic `mystery' is resolved. You can do some exercises
> without your instrument by humming, singing, counting, fingering,
> thinking. When I first learned to play the recorder (which I was
> asked to teach!) I managed to learn no more than one new note a week
> and one every two or three weeks in the second octave, in spite of
> the fact that I already played the clarinet like a professional
> (which I was.). So go slowly and consolidate each step before trying
> the next one – just like a mountaineer, but safer. If you make a
> mistake you will not hurt yourself!
> Go to page 34 to recap the above.
>
> Take my word for it. If you work patiently as above you will learn to
> read. A child can do it! So can you.
> Courage!
>
> Since music notation is the same for all instruments you could take
> lessons from anyone who teaches the recorder, violin, piano, etc. but
> make sure they do not move you on until you have a thorough grasp of
> the previous lesson – a common fault.
>
> Moderately useful web sites:
> http://datadragon.com/education/reading/count2.shtml   all there but
> goes to fast
>
> http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/readingmusic.htm
> Essentially for the piano but shows crotchets, minims & quavers and
> gives their sounds
>
> http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/basics_of_counti
> ng_rhythms.htm
> Shows notes clearly and how to count the time values.
>
> Skip anything that looks complicated. You will come back to it as the
> system unfolds.
>
> Michael Muskett
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

If you are playing on your own, as you will be while studying, it
doesn't matter what pitch your instrument is tuned to, since the
relationship of the drone to the keynote (3rd key)is the same - a
4th.
You can still call the 3rd key C and proceed as for a C tuned
instrument. Although it will sound at a different pitch it plays the
same tune.
It gets difficult when you want to read music in D/G: g will be
fingered as C, f sharp! will be fingered as b natural! and so on.
This is anomalous and is called transposition. Some instrumentalists
(especially the brass)learn to do this at sight while clarinettists
sometimes have to play one note higher than written. This is usually
managed by writing out the music as transposed (recorder players have
instruments in C and in F and the music may be printed in two
versions so that the fingering for any note remains the same on both
instruments.) I think this is what D/G players do, but it feels odd
to me and I haven't mastered the knack.
I am afraid that printing a version of the Hurdy-gurdy Method in D/G
is out of the question, and furthemore, is unneccesary for the
purposes of learning. It is awkward though, when instruments in g/d
and c/g are in the same study group since they will sound a fourth
apart.
All HG Methods from the 18th century to the 20th were written for g/c
instruments and this was the tuning generally used in France until
the mid 1960's. The D/G tuning was used only in the Bourbonnais
region at that time, where they had their own repertoire. There has
been a gradual blurring of styles and repertoire since then, and the
same has happened to the dancing traditions. The regional styles have
lost their distinctiveness.

--- In HurdyGurdyForum@..., "Scott Marshall"
<the.maud@y...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Quilting Martha! Where are you in the country?
> We live in chaos on the South Coast, between Portsmouth and
Southampton.