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Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 3:59 pm
by Musicmaker
kenbloom wrote:Hi Pete,

I do sit with my legs under the table. Cutting out a place in the apron so this can happen is certainly fine. You do what you can to be as comfortable as possible. Playing the zither is challenging enough. I like to have my zither at a height that permits my arms to be relatively level and my wrists only slightly arched. Getting the table to be right is a very personal ting. No solution is right for everyone.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org
Thanks Ken for your input.
I agree now that table height is a personal thing.
Its 25" now and low enough for me.
I will go with that.
Have you heard of the Dean Kimble book of Dulcimer making?
Pete

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 4:15 pm
by Rudy Mueller
Gave three of my tables away, left with one (walnut, quite heavy at 15.5 pounds) but bought some cedar today. I'll stick with the 30 x 16 inch (75 x 40 cm) open top, and for me the 23.5 inch height is comfortable. Small, but portability is an issue here. Note stand fits the table.

Usually play with zither at about a 4 inch angled offset for the left side, left leg under the table, right leg outside of the table. Right knee is at about the height of the top table surface. Zither right hand bridge about entered on the center of my chest. Straight back kitchen-type chair, no wheels.

These are personal preferences; one must be comfortable.

Rudi

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 4:57 pm
by Rudy Mueller
correction line 4: "entered" should be "centered".

Rudi, "da oidi""

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 5:08 pm
by NutmegCT
Sehr geehrter Rudi - ich denke, das mit siebzig Jahre, ich selbst habe das ,Oldi-titel' gewonnt!

Tom M.

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:53 am
by Rudy Mueller
Thanks Tom,

As mentioned elsewhere, I'll hit 80 this October. I really didn't get started seriously on the zither until retirement. The popular "wellness" literature says to stay socially engaged and learn an instrument and/or second language. hmmm. No, I do not have a water-cooled keyboard.

Rudi

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:57 am
by NutmegCT
Rudi - sounds like me. Starting after retirement, learning zither (and languages) to keep the brain active.

How did you start on your zither learning path? What method book got you started on technique?

Thanks.
Tom M.

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:49 am
by Rudy Mueller
My Dad tried to teach me as a kid....too much pain. Then tried a few simple songs over the next decades, but during this time learned a few chords on the guitar.

On retirement, started with both Darr and Kabatek; both have their strong points. The guitar was a real help in learning the chords on the zither, having some idea what the sound should be. In the beginning, tried to learn the German songs we sung as kids, writing most of my own arrangements to keep things simple, CGF.

Rudi

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 1:14 am
by Musicmaker
I really like Rudi's table and have now included a built in music stand which is important.
How to keep the music book Open?
Annoying isn't it.
Just a small thing that has irritated me for years.
Here's my take on it.
Used some alluminium welding wire approx 3mm diameter and bent it past 90 degrees then epoxied some cedar wood clamps to it as the wire itself marked the pages.
Works great.
Only a little point but there again I have a little Mind!
Pete

https://flic.kr/p/25gGDFR

https://flic.kr/p/GZi4vi

https://flic.kr/p/25xHNdb

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:40 am
by Rudy Mueller
The note stands to fit the portable tables are "J"shaped and made of wood. The back (long arm of the "J") is usually 1/8 inch (3 mm) or 3/16 inch (5 mm) plywood, approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall, and of chosen width. The width is usually 16 inches for travelling, or 24 inches (60 cm) for practice. the extra width comes in handy when practicing several different pieces in sequence.

The "bottom" of the "J" is cut from 3/4" (20 mm?) X 1 3/4" (44mm?) X desired width A section of the bottom 1/4" X 1 1/2 " is cut away, leaving a 1/4 X 1/4 "lip" at the front edge of the bottom. Holes are then drilled (10" on center) in the "bottom" for pegs to hold he note stand in place. The plywood back is then glued to the back (now 1/2" thick) edge of the bottom. The lip prevents the notes from flopping around, and helps keep the legs tucked away when the table is folded.

Two sets of holes are drilled in the handle section of thee table for the pegs. One pair in a line parallel to the front of the table, and a second set with the one right hand hole "fixed" and a series of 2-4 holes in a 10" arc for the left hand peg, to permit the stand to be angled for the best view considering lighting at the moment.

Rudi

Re: Zither tables?

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 5:11 pm
by Musicmaker
My Darr book arrived yesterday and I have learnt in my 67 years now to read Instructions!! And all the small print until I understand it. I think it was Einstein who said that if there is something you don't understand, keep going over it until you do. Don't proceed until you do.
Anyway at the start of the book it gives mention of Zitherists tables and specifically to have a drawer like chamber.
I thought my table was complete.
So after a few minutes thought I went to it.
I had a spare bit of 12mm plywood and quickly knocked up a Base for it.
I now have a sound chamber.
I have made a cut out for my knees so have lost some resonance....BUT.....
YES is does make a difference.
My Zither now sounds wonderfully wholesome.
I think a good table is so important.
Pete
Down under.