To Tom and Evelyn - A few points of clarification:
- Opa was a zitherist in Bayern. He would have students play for an hour each day. It doesn't surprise me as it is a complicated instrument and you DO need that muscle memory to kick in. I've inherited (I bought from the family's estate), two of his zithers. One is a Meinel of great value.
- I sat down at the table, put lots of pillows under my backside, so that my arms were in a better angle to the zither. I don't have a table at the right height, "yet". I believe I actually have some diagrams for building such a table like you see that is hollow, used by performers on stage. If anyone is interested, email me and I'll go hunt for it. My husband was going to build one for me, but alas, he's dead and it never was started.
- To build calluses, know that I have also played a 12-string guitar. I used to play for church services and we'd rehearse for an hour during the week, briefly before, and then play the whole Catholic service each Sunday. What I realized was that the placement for a 12 string callus, is different than where I seemed to be getting string indentations for a zither. The Z requires more "on the side of the pad" sort of placement, over the on-point that is used for a guitar, or maybe even a violin? Can't say.... I just know that there's no guarantee that one will serve the other for help. lol
- Last night, 07/23/2019, I watched Tomy Temerson play on a cruise ship. Not only was it fascinating to watch his technique, but he explained in a brief moment, WHY his fingers were callused in the manner they were, and, WHAT the index and middle fingers were responsible for, vs ring finger and pinky. That little bit alone, was so enlightening since he compared it to other orchestra instruments and their roles! Wait, I'll find the link. Stand by.....
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
https://www.youtube.com/embed/pg36K4VM3vY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> and if this link didn't work, try this:
https://youtu.be/pg36K4VM3vY
- I also overheard him say that the calluses were needed to press the strings "against the fret", which is opposite to how a guitar is played. THAT ALONE was a mega nugget for me! I didn't realize the technique of against and had misunderstood. I thought it would be more the position (based on videos and not live demonstrations), of the inbetween position. Talk about "ah-ha moment".
- Spoke at length with Ron Bracklow in San Jose, this morning. He had a health scare a while back. He now has difficulty with his left hand. HIS suggestion for all of us, was to become involved in the Chicago area zither club. I have paid attention to the German Heritage Society in Davenport area. Is that Iowa????
When I am not a real estate agent. I am a historical costumer. Well known, actually, even in historical movies. I go around teaching the younger generation how to sew, why women wore corsets, how to build garments, what hat to wear, etc. It is my way of giving back to the next generation the lost art of sewing and creating, thereby leaving a legacy of young people who are now appreciating Victorian style attire and so forth.
I happen to live smack in the middle of Microsoft-Land of Seattle. I am a highly technical and computer handy. If any of you in our forum who have played for a long time, are willing to demonstrate via computer, "live" how you hold your hands and strike the strings, I can totally show you how that can be done online with no cost to you or anyone else who would participate - totally free. I am willing to help set up that possibility. Perhaps,
just perhaps, there is a way to also forward YOUR legacy of music and the love of our mutual instrument to us, the next generation. I'm in my 50's and feel like I am waaaaay behind in the learning process. LOL
Looking forward to the next piece on this conversation thread! Rita Harris in Seattle