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Zither for D

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:02 pm
by Rudy Mueller
A lot of Austrian and Schrammel music is written in the key of D. That make for quite a reach for the E chord, and occasional B and Fis chords.

Nobody thinks twice about Ab/Bb/Eb button box accordions, or an Eb tuba.

Has anyone out there tried eliminating the first two begleitung strings (eb/bb) to bring the entire accompaniment section closer to the griffbrett, bringing the E chord into easier reach?

And of course, the Austrians also like the Eb/Bb keys :(

Rudi

Re: Zither for D

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 2:51 pm
by Rudy Mueller
Also, Ludwig mentioned that in his opinion, the distance between the C on the Griffbrett and the first eb accompaniment string was larger than usual. What should this distance be? My Meinel is out at the cottage right now, will check it and the Forg tomorrow.

Rudi

Re: Zither for D

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:30 am
by kenbloom
I've mostly been playing my Meinel Sr. perfekta these days and I find no problem reaching any of these chords. Granted I have long fingers which does make things easier but consider that in the Darr book, he starts his tuning with Ab. The perfekta has made what used to be a real stretch, easy. I wish I could find a Meinel Jr. perfekta. Ah well, I can dream.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org

Re: Zither for D

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:09 am
by Evelyn
Rudy Mueller wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:02 pm A lot of Austrian and Schrammel music is written in the key of D. That make for quite a reach for the E chord, and occasional B and Fis chords.
Austrian (Schrammel) music was written for zithers in Wiener Stimmung. In any case, I have no perfecta zither, I don't have large hands, or particularly long fingers either, but like Ken I have no problem reaching/playing any of the chords you mention.

Re: Zither for D

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:24 am
by Wilhelm
My teacher Alois Öllinger from Austria let put an Ab string closest to the Griffbrett. Very usefull he told me. Now he is playing for the Angels in heaven, sorry.