Yup Dave, a very similar instrument in several cultures. All with different names and held differently. I tried it on my lap but couldn't do very much. Then I tried a low arm/chest hold like old Appalachian fiddlers (and African musicians) and it was a little better. Finally I just stuck it under my chin and tried to keep it from slipping away.
The sources of info on these spelled it rebeb. There are many kinds, some fancy and some very simple like this. Look on ebay under rebeb. It's also called a spike fiddle as it often has a spike coming out of it's tail, something like a cello.
Comments
Yup Dave, a very similar instrument in several cultures. All with different names and held differently. I tried it on my lap but couldn't do very much. Then I tried a low arm/chest hold like old Appalachian fiddlers (and African musicians) and it was a little better. Finally I just stuck it under my chin and tried to keep it from slipping away.
The sources of info on these spelled it rebeb. There are many kinds, some fancy and some very simple like this. Look on ebay under rebeb. It's also called a spike fiddle as it often has a spike coming out of it's tail, something like a cello.
I think it needs to be lapdanced. All the examples i've researched were held in the lap like a viola.
Thanks Dave. Still working out how best to hold it!
Thanks Unc. The demo of this is on my y.t. page. I'll post it tomorrow.
Nice work, Jim.