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Anyone in UK

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:08 am
by zitherman1962
Hello! I am in the UK (Gateshead) and trying to find any other zither players in the UK - seems we are virtually non-existent!
I got my first zither, a Jean Wero, a couple of years ago but it needed too much restoration work so bought a 1920s Bohemian instrument last year and have been trying to learn since then. I can get a tune out of it and, for a non-string player think am doing okay but it would be great to find someone else who could show me things.
Richard

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 1:55 pm
by NutmegCT
Hi Richard. Until someone more knowledgeable checks in, you might try the Goethe Institute up in Glasgow. I think they're closer to you than in the South.

https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/sta/gla.html

+44 141 3322555
info@glasgow.goethe.org
http://www.goethe.de/glasgow

They're likely to have contacts with German folk music groups, one of which may know of zither players.

All good wishes,
Tom M.

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 4:27 pm
by zitherman1962
Thanks for that, Tom, I certainly will try them. A friend nearby, who speaks German, has translated a lot of German stuff about zithers for me and that has been a great help too
Richard

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:21 am
by Evelyn
Hello Richard

You are not the only zither player in the UK - here is another one - but surely there have got to be more in this country. I am unfortunately not located anywhere near Gateshead, but nevertheless very happy to help if I can.

Evelyn

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:11 am
by quincemothman
Hi Richard, you are not alone. ( I thought I was ) I have been teaching my self the zither for nearly two years. I've started too late to ever play as well as I play my other instruments ( I'm now 68 ) guitar, harp guitar, Irish tenor banjo, chord zithers. However, I've achieved more learning the zither than I expected I would so I can't complain. I play easy pieces mostly waltzes that I have learned from books I've found and also from watching YouTube. The main problem for me is the finger pressure needed to fret the strings without any buzzing as the fingerboard is quite unforgiving, you have to place your fingers very precisely with a fair amount of pressure. I have lowered the action with a very slightly thinner bridge which has helped a lot. I have three zithers, two Horst Wunsche and a perfekter zither by Anton Brauer which is being restored by Horst Wunsche. Horst Wunsche are very good as they will sell you a zither without payment and you pay them after you receive it through your online bank. (cool) Its the same when you buy strings from them. Checkout their website. I live in Newport, South Wales. Give me a reply if you have any questions. Good luck. Gareth.

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:33 am
by MisterKevster
Thought I'd wake up this thread....and add myself to the list here in the UK. :D
I'm a guitar player....so haven't really taken any steps on Zither yet.
Have just posted on the forum, in connection with an old German Zither that needs a lot of work doing to get it up and running.
Grateful for any pointers....especially on strings...
I'm in Leeds.

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 10:42 am
by Graham
Hello! There are very few of us. It's very much a Germanic instrument, and it never really caught on, though Prince Albert played a bit. Teachers seem to be non-existent here, HOWEVER I attend zoom classes about once every two months organised by Carmen Amrein in Munich. These have been very helpful and encouraging.

I'm in Gloucestershire. I got my strings from Schneidermusik - "Brexit" is a real problem, and there is now a minimum order size.

Re: Anyone in UK

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:23 pm
by quincemothman
Hi Mister Kevster, I think the problem is finding some one who can restore the zither in the UK. It would be better to send it to a specialist in Germany. I sent my perfekta zither to Horst Wunsche in Markneukirchen. They did a great job. ( there's a photo of it on the forum ) Alternately if you are serious about playing the zither you can order a new one from Horst Wunsche. There are various models at different prices. You can also get strings from them or from Schneidermusik. Better to ask for nylon for the open strings and you will need to state the number of strings. ( accompaniment/bass/contra bass ) The number of strings vary depending on the number of contra bass strings which are the lowest section, they can range from about two or three to thirteen. They are normally tuned chromatically, all the others being tuned in fifths The fingerboard strings are better with a plain D not a wound one I think. The fingerboard strings are usually included in the overall count so the largest zither will be a 42 string that is, with thirteen contra's. Hope this helps. Cheers.