Search found 212 matches
- Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:41 am
- Forum: Learning
- Topic: Keyes and other methods for right hand
- Replies: 4
- Views: 8532
Re: Keyes and other methods for right hand
You have hit upon the most challenging part of zither playing. I do not use my nails at all. They would quickly wear through the windings of some of the strings and that would get very expensive very quickly. Since I do need my nails for other instruments, I file them in such a way as to be clear of...
- Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:28 am
- Forum: Getting Started
- Topic: New to the Zither
- Replies: 7
- Views: 9203
Re: New to the Zither
Alternate picking is indeed what I do. I find that this makes my right hand more relaxed. Once you cartch on to this approach, it makes the execution smoother. I guess this is what comes from not having at teacher. I had a concept of the instrument and went from there. The idea for the thumb came fr...
- Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:13 am
- Forum: Getting Started
- Topic: New to the Zither
- Replies: 7
- Views: 9203
Re: New to the Zither
For me Munich tuning ( AADGC) makes more sense. First of all, the fifths are the same as so many other instruments and the double A is very useful for all kinds of chords and suspensions as well as some scale patterns. I've never been a fan of re-entrent tunings. For the kind of music that you play,...
- Tue Jan 26, 2021 10:06 am
- Forum: Getting Started
- Topic: New to the Zither
- Replies: 7
- Views: 9203
Re: New to the Zither
Welcome, You are not the only one who has taken up the zither and does not play mostly German folk music. I took up the zither in the 70's because I saw its potential to do more than what I could do on the guitar. I play a lot of blues, jazz, British Isles folk etc. on the instrument. I am mostly se...
- Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:02 am
- Forum: Zither Makers and Models
- Topic: "Luftresonanz"
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9184
Re: "Luftresonanz"
That is why it works so well. It frees up that upper part of the back so it can move. A larger vibrating plate translates into more volume and bass response.
Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org
Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:28 am
- Forum: Zither Makers and Models
- Topic: "Luftresonanz"
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9184
Re: "Luftresonanz"
The luftresonanz is a second sound hole that is above the block where the tuning pins are. What it really does is give the back a larger resonating surface which enhances the bass. Most modern harfenzithers have it. The instruments that don't have it are usually smaller and often not as rich soundin...
- Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:14 am
- Forum: Zither Makers and Models
- Topic: New Zithers.
- Replies: 2
- Views: 7474
Re: New Zithers.
You can't go wrong with Horst Wunsche. The website is still up and these zithers are really top of the line. I don't know if the Meinel shop is still open. Ulrike Meinel took over from her father, running the shop with her son. I'm sure there are folks on this list who are more familiar with this th...
- Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:06 am
- Forum: Repairs and Restorations
- Topic: Oiling your strings?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 9421
Re: Oiling your strings?
I have never oiled my strings. The bass, accompaniment, and contra bass strings really don't need anything like that since they are nylon. The fretboard strings can benefit from this. Some people use a product called Fast Fret. It is nothing more than ordinary mineral oil that you can buy cheaply in...
- Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:34 am
- Forum: Getting Started
- Topic: Stringing and tuning...
- Replies: 2
- Views: 7211
Re: Stringing and tuning...
I would put them in and leave about a 1/4" of thread above the unblock, maybe as mcuh as 1/2" if the string is long and the string length is on the shorter side. I don't cut my strings to length. I leave them full length and just wind them on. Zithers are different from guitars, banjos, an...
- Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:10 am
- Forum: Learning
- Topic: Practice Video - Danza Morena
- Replies: 10
- Views: 26427
Re: Practice Video - Danza Morena
Hi rudi, I'm glad to hear that you are still at it and staying safe through all of this. I'm doing the same. I'm still doing a lot of instrument building and I have begun to teach online, both classes and privately. I stay very busy and it's good I live in a small town as it is far easier to maintai...