Hurdy Gurdies by George & Anwyn Leverett
888-265-9711 / 541-596-2006
Altarwind Music
Hurdy Gurdy Tunings
You generally find two main tuning configurations. Our instruments can accommodate either tuning very well,
it's just a matter of which string set we use before we ship it out to you.
G/C tuning
All strings are tuned to either 'G'
or 'C' notes. The main keychest is setup in the key of 'c'; your main row of keys is the key of 'c' and the 2nd row are the
chromatic notes (just like the keys of a piano).
D/G tuning
All strings are tuned to either 'D' or 'G' notes. The main keychest is setup in the key of 'G' (the F natural is in
the 2nd row of keys)
The melody strings are tuned to 'g'. The drone strings are tuned to G or C notes of various octaves. Note the #10 chromatic
key: the tolerances are so close in that upper register that with a slight adjustment to the tangents this key can be either an 'F'
or an 'F#', to best suit the player's needs. By default we tune it to 'F' before shipping.
This is the default tuning
we use when we send out a new instrument. Because the keys are set up similiarly to
a piano, it seems to be the most beginner
friendly. It's also generally well suited to French traditional music.
The melody strings are usually tuned in unison to
middle 'g' (g4), but there's an alternate 'octave' tuning where one of them is tuned to middle 'g' (g4) and the other is an octave
lower (g3). We usually ship them out tuned in unison by default. Let us know if you prefer the octave tuning at the time of
ordering.
The melody strings are tuned to 'd'. The drone strings are tuned to D or G notes of various octaves. Note the #10 chromatic
key: this key can be either an 'C' or an 'C#', to best suit the player's needs. By default we tune it to 'C' before shipping.
This tuning
is well suited to Celtic music. If you prefer this setup, just let us know at the time of ordering.
The
melody strings can be set up either in unison tuned to middle 'd' (d4), or in an octave tuning where one is middle 'd' (d4) and the
other is an octave higher (d5). By default we tune them in unison to middle 'd' (d4) since it's more beginner friendly.
That octave 'd'/d5 string can be a little more demanding on rosin & cotton technique, so we only recommend that for more experienced
players.
If you're a more experienced player and prefer the octave 'd' tuning, be sure to let us know at the
time of ordering.
Keychest as viewed from the player's perspective, descriptive notes added for clarity
Keychest as viewed from the player's perspective, descriptive notes added for clarity
