Search found 212 matches

by kenbloom
Sat Sep 18, 2021 8:43 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: Tuning difficulties...
Replies: 5
Views: 10128

Re: Tuning difficulties...

For those lower strings, where you pluck the string can make a difference to the tuner. If you use your nail and pluck closer to the bridge, it adds highs that the tuner can find easier to read.It sounds like you have an older and smaller zither. The string length on these older instruments was desi...
by kenbloom
Sun Sep 05, 2021 8:51 am
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Unknown harp zither and introduction from Hungary.
Replies: 6
Views: 12595

Re: Unknown harp zither and introduction from Hungary.

Hi Attila, what is pictured here is a pefekta zither which is what you call an instrument with the contra-basses shooting off at that angle. As perfekta zithers go, it is unusual in that the highest contra bass string crosses the bass strings further over than is usual but it is still a notable inst...
by kenbloom
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:45 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: New member, new post
Replies: 9
Views: 36644

Re: New member, new post

Welome to the rather select group that choose the zither!! I too play many instruments both string and wind. The zither is wonderful for me as keyboards have always baffled me. The AADGC tuning really does make sense. Having the double A makes all kinds of suspensions so easy to play as well as doin...
by kenbloom
Sun Aug 22, 2021 8:57 am
Forum: Learning
Topic: Practice Video - S isch Rosezyt
Replies: 5
Views: 8430

Re: Practice Video - S isch Rosezyt

Very nicely done! Very clean and everything looks great. The only suggestion I have would be to continue to work on staying relaxed, especially with your left hand. You are getting an excellent sound. Try relaxing your shoulders as you play. That's usually where unnecessary tension begins. You are d...
by kenbloom
Mon Aug 16, 2021 8:08 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: Another Newbie
Replies: 14
Views: 57787

Re: Another Newbie

Feel free to contact me directly (kbloom1@triad.rr.com). I had to puzzel through most of this by myself. If I can shorten the journey for you, I'm happy to do it.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org
by kenbloom
Thu Aug 05, 2021 9:11 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: Another Newbie
Replies: 14
Views: 57787

Re: Another Newbie

The most challenging thing for me when I started was doing a major chord on the accompaniment strings. Getting the hang of strumming two adjacent strings with my index finger while at the same time playing a single one with my middle finger took a while. Then I had to learn that in reverse for a min...
by kenbloom
Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:46 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: Another Newbie
Replies: 14
Views: 57787

Re: Another Newbie

Hi, Welcome to zitherville. I too am a guitarist and have been playing zither for decades. Getting Bergfe green strings for your instrument is definitely the right thing to do. ither strings are very specific and not ike most other plucked instrument strings. they are designed to sound good at their...
by kenbloom
Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:45 am
Forum: Learning
Topic: Chord of the Seventh
Replies: 3
Views: 6310

Re: Chord of the Seventh

Normally when I have to use a V7 chord I hit the bass root and fifth and use the third and the flat seventh for the chord.Thus a G7 chord would have G in the bass and a B and an F in the accompaniment strings. Because the zither is rich in overtones, you can go about chord voicing the same way you w...
by kenbloom
Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:55 am
Forum: Getting Started
Topic: So very new
Replies: 7
Views: 8690

Re: So very new

I play a lot of country muysic on my zither and always have. It's great for that. The above advice on tuning is gold. You definitely need to do that part and using proper zither strings is imperative. Most guitar people are unaware of what you need here. Once you get through the basics of playing, y...
by kenbloom
Tue May 11, 2021 8:47 am
Forum: Learning
Topic: concerning teachers....
Replies: 6
Views: 8593

Re: concerning teachers....

When I began to learn to play zither I was in San Francisco and couldn't find a teacher at the time. This was in 1972 and the only book I could find was the Darr method. I struggled with that for a while. I found a Rudi Knabl record while I was on tour with a singer and he was mostly playing solo on...