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Absolutely, that is the correct term. Part of what makes composing for the HG so interesting is the fact that you need think in modes because of the presence of the drones/trompette/mouche (which provide a single underlying tone or tonal center). Otherwise the compositions can get quite boring and repetitive!

There are the melody strings (you play using the keyboard), the drones just play a single note, and then sympathetic strings which ring when you are playing the same pitch. If you go to www.GurdyWorld.com all of the parts and how to use/play them are explained in the FAQ section. :-)

Two of my students have Gamarra Altos and I think that you would do well to stick with that order. I think the Tenor is a great instrument, but I think when you are starting out on HG it's good to start on an Alto to get used to how the instrument works first, and then yes moving to a Tenor (in addition to your Alto) is a great idea. His Altos are fantastic, but I'd also think about making sure you just get 2 melody strings and not 3 as that complicates things by 10000% 🙂

@@noelle-beaudin Great! It's so kind of you to help! Thank you very, very much 😘 I can't wait for my gurdy to be ready!

@@martinjf467 you are welcome! You will love it!

Thank you, Rochelle!

Thank you! The KNYS Instruments Catnip B and P are two of the best beginner models you can get for the money and it sounds amazing. The tenor model in this video is from Marco Gamarra and that is also great, but much more expensive.

@@noelle-beaudinit shows. sounds beautiful! i look forward to hearing more

Thanks!

I'm channeling the 90's post-rock vibe....

Sounds like a plan - find one and let's do it!

Thanks!

Sure. If you go back and watch the first 3 videos in the series, the keys, note names and placement are all covered specifically. Yes, the HG is chromatic, although there are some diatonic HGs out there, this video series covers the G/C chromatic HG specifically.

@@noelle-beaudin Okay. Thanks. I've watched 1 and 4, so far. This is what I find frustrating about video learning vs something written where I can try to skip through to find what I want to know, then go back. I find it hard to sit through something like this hoping it will get to the point I wanted to know about.

@@TooSlowTube I know, it is a pain. It sounds like you need Part II the most - and in the liner notes of the video there are markers for the places you can skip ahead to. If you need specific help, just book a time with me on deathbygurdy.com and I can help you out 🙂

@@noelle-beaudin Thanks. The last two thirds of part three were more what I was looking for. The black keys are hard to see in a video, so I wasn't clear if there were notes on black keys between the ones you were playing - and initially I thought only the white keys were keys, then switched to thinking only the black ones were. Might I suggest a labelled close up diagram of the keyboard, on your website? As someone who's never actually seen a hurdy gurdy, other than on CZcams, that's the part that was least clear, to me.

That's correct, but in that "fly" is a small sound, and the "chien" is the little wooden bit that rests on the soundboard and makes that loud "buzzing" sound when you want to engage it.

I was just going to re-record this tune on the new Catnip P thanks for reminding me!!!

You are welcome!

You will, just keep practicing!

No, thank you! ;-)

Thank you! The next one is coming out soon!

Yeah well it was only supposed to be a short for folks with previous gurdy knoweldge, not the whole explanation of parts. If you want to understand what a trompette is (not a trumpet which is different, and yeah it blows) you would be best to get familiar with the entire instrument via gurdyworld.com. In the FAQs section you can read about each part and then this would explain it for you better if that is what you are looking for.

Awwww, merci!

Thanks! When I play the tune for my little kids, they crack up at the stopping part, and some wait in anticipation....!

Thank you!

He pushed the Troll off the bridge!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!

@@noelle-beaudin he refused to pay the toll and then he cancelled the troll that cheeky milleniol de fol de rol that cheeky milleneeee-oooooooooohhhl!

You are welcome!

Do you mean the Symphonia?

@noelle-beaudin I googled it, and yes that is the instrument. I've seen it once before but never knew the name. Thank you.

@@datsunlambchops4624 my pleasure!

No just six. 1 trompette, 1 mouche, 2 melody strings, 2 drones.

Merci!

Hola! Tenor HGs = Marco Gamarra; Catnip B - Radosław Malisz (KNYS Instruments); Eaton Luteback - Chris Eaton; Petite Linotte - Jaap Brand (Nerdy Gurdy) 🙂

Wonderful that sound of ancient music!

@@josecarlosdeprada309 thank you!

Then I think you are on the right track for sure. The blue box is the way to go as far as that is concerned!

@@noelle-beaudin thank you

@@martinjf467 anytime!!!

Yep, the "little blue box", I have that on my tenor. It's OK, but it adds weight and expense, and in retrospect I would not have added it had I known.

Interesting. Is that because you play mostly acoustically rather than via an amplifier with the use of effects?

@@martinjf467 No, I play both ways, but I don't see the value in the expense of it for what I'm doing. I could see the value of it if you wanted to isolate each mic and channel out to effects, etc. in the recording studio, but playing live with an amp it is not worth it for me.

Thanks! Yes, I can tell you that Nerdys are very playable, but obviously this depends on which model you are thinking about getting. In this case, this pre-built model is very well made, plays well (needed just some tweaking), shipped quickly and safely to me, has great support from Jaap (NG founder).

Thank you for your feedback ❤ I’m currently on the cusp of Marco beginning my gurdy I think so I’m due to finalise the spec now. I’m rather nervous of missing something important!!!

If it's an Alto: 2 / 2 /2 with sympathetics and capos should suit anyone just fine. If you need help or advice you can always contact me and I'm happy to help you! 🙂

Awww, thanks Fitz!

You'll get sick of me soon Scotts-boy....

@@noelle-beaudin never!

Thanks!

Thank you! I love this little gurdy!