That`s fun.
In contrast to the rather coarse and sturdy instruments of the common folk, hurdy-gurdies of 18th century French courtly society reached highest standards in workmanship and technique.
An excerpt from Marianne Bröckers book “Die Drehleier – Ihr Bau und ihre Geschichte” (“Hurdy-Gurdy – Crafting and History”):
"The best wood for the cover is mahogany, since it achieves an even tonal quality for the whole keyboard. For that reason many 18th century French instruments – which where used for playing a very different, much more virtuoso repertoire than the folk music instruments – have a body that is either all mahogany or at least a mahogany cover.”
One
melody string
Two melody strings
Some mistrels likes it colorful.
However, it plays wonderful.
I
am pleased with the message from Dieter G. about his German Hurdy-gurdy: Hello
Jule, I’m
glad to hear from you! Your hurdy-gurdy is swell and how it plays… Everyone
hearing it or even playing on it is simply enthusiastic about it . Even
high-grade hurdy-gurdy players had a taste and agreed. Most
importantly, I like it. I’m practicing a lot and I can already play 5
pieces with Jürgen and Horst. You see – it works! By
now I have also replaced a melody string with an octave, that’s brill!
It’s a gut string wound with steel creating a soft and subtle tone, very
pleasant, and especially not as loud when practicing. It sounds wonderful
in company with the melody string. Yet one string costs € 30,- … I’ve had a nice wood case built, with soft padding so that my precious is nicely protected :) Dieter |
HURDY-GURDY MAKER
HELMUT SEIBERT
OBERHOF 18
69234 DIELHEIM / GERMANY
PHONE: ++49 6226 2751