Crumhorn Bending
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- čas přidán 19. 02. 2015
- Showing how Eric Moulder bends crumhorns! Eric is one of the very few (if only) makers still making crumhorns. He often gets asked how it's done - well, here's the answer.
When asked, people often guess that it can take 2 or 3 days to bend them, as you can see - it takes 20 seconds. - Hudba
today two new attempts (soprano and alto) after building two replicas of your mould: following your instructions now both attempts were successful: I had some misalignments and I still have something to improve, but no cracks whatsoever!!! many thanks for your help!
Congratulations! The only way to succeed is to keep trying and to keep experimenting to get the right technique. Even now, we do not get good bends every time - you are asking wood to do something it doesn’t want to do …. and it complains 😅. If we get 6 good bends out of 8 (the most we steam at a time) then we consider that a good result.
Love the video! Hope you all post more in the future. I'm currently working to build a very different instrument myself, but hope to tackle crumhorns and racketts in the future.
+Richard Bobo Hi! Glad you like the video. There may be more coming along in the future. Good luck with your instrument making projects!
total respect, I know how difficult (and chancy) steam bending can be...! Is the wood (sycamore??) a hollow tube already before it was formed? If it was, it makes this even more of an acheivement.Top man
GOLDSMITHEXILE 2016 Hi - glad you liked the video. Yes, the wood is sycamore (the same as the originals were made from) and they have already been bored when steam bending them. However, to stop the bores from collapsing they are filled with fine sand which is emptied out afterwards.
amazing instrument. are there any published drawings with dimensions? and has any one tried to build a version out of PVC? I would love to try.
thanks for showing your (amazing) technique! what is that white cylinder (?) that you seem to insert at 0:04 on the upper part of the crumhorn just before start bending? what is its purpose?
The body of the crumhorn is held in the steamer by means of a large rubber ring/washer, as soon as the body is taken out of the steamer, that needs to be removed prior to it fitting into the bending jig. That is the first action shown on the video. I think that is what you are enquiring about.
@@pivarenaissancemusic Yes and thank you fr the reply. it was so fast that I though you were actually inserting something rather than pulling out! your explanations does makes sense.!
How long does the wood have to boil before bending it and how long does it take before you can take it of the clamp?
+Samuel Sellberg The crumhorns are suspended in steam for two sessions on consecutive days. Steam is hotter than water and the crumhorn bodies must not actually get in the water. This is because the wood would absorb the water and you would not be able to bend them. The inner section of the jig can be removed fairly soon after bending but they must stay in the strap for at least 2 weeks. Hope that answers your questions.
Do you use sand inside to keep the walls from collapsing?
Yes, absolutely correct!
I'm a great admirer of his instruments. I wonder if Eric has any disciples. I would love to learn with him if that'd be possible somehow.
+lcerante Thanks! Yes, Eric wants to pass on his knowledge. He has had many students over the years teaching at both the London College of Furniture (sadly no more) and West Dean College (no longer offering woodwind making). He does not have an apprentice - not through choice - but it would be a long learning process with very little monetary return. To be a woodwind maker you need to be skilled in both metal working (all tools need to be hand made) and woodworking - and to be able to play them. Oh yes - and you need to be able to make reeds too! That is why there seem to be fewer and fewer people making historical reed instruments.
+Jane Moulder Thanks for replying. I think I have some good skills that could be perfectioned through apprenticeship. I already play shawms, bagpipes, dulcians, crumhorns etc and have made some good reeds for crumhorns and bagpipes myself based on photographs (based on Jeremie Papasergio's album) and on David Hogan Smith's book. I love both metal and woodwork although I've never made big projects, just small repairs.
I also make miniature harpsichords based on famous constructors :-). (sigh) If I lived in the UK I'd definitely be his apprentice! If this is still a good career to invest...who knows? (I've contacted you on FB if you don't mind. I see you know Eduardo Antonello, he's a great friend of mine!)
I studied with Eric in the late 70's and this video reminds me of what a joy it was to work with him. I definitely think of myself as one of his disciples!
Greetings! Is there any way I could get in touch with Mr. Moulder? I have an inquiry regarding his instruments and the possibility of apprenticing.
Hello, you can send a message to Eric via the contact page on the Piva website. It will be forwarded to him. www.piva.org.uk/contactus.html
today I tried a similar technique. unfortunately after 3 hour steaming. the wood (cherry) cracked. was the steaming time too short? prhaps cherry not suitable for bending? how long did you steam it? did you soaked in water before steaming or use some other preparation? many thanks
I don't think cherry is necessarily the best wood for steaming, but I have never tried it. I use maple or sycamore. Steam for say two or three hours one day and then the next four hours. It's overkill but you need to be sure. Don't soak the wood as you can't compress water. There needs to be a small gap of two or three mm. at the big end. Also a sacrificial block at this end that crushes as the instrument bends but supports the wood. Good luck!
many thanks for the help!@@janemoulder6435
Where can I buy one?
We make all our crumhorns to order and there is currently quite a long waiting list!
@@janemoulder6435 Sad, good for you I mean! but I really want one haha!!