I’m never going to make the Albert Hall but I can get a rudimentary tune out of it. The next step is to make a few adjustments. For example – the tailpiece is too near the bridge, and so on.I can give more detail should anyone be interested.
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Well, you inspired bro.! Did my homework all over the web, then turned my father-in-law onto this. Mine is scrap wood, glued up, about 50 percent finished. Will post pics when done. Busy the next few days but hopefully next week prior to tour. Rustic... truly. But such fun! Thanks Jock! -Glenn
Glenn - the strings are made of 25 twisted strands of real horsehair. I use superglue to retain the knots as the hair is slippery.Tuning is D and G. The Gue has only the 2 strings (unlike Jouhikkos and other lyres), both being played together. The D is just left as a drone and the G is "fretted by placing the backs of the fingers against the string. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_mQjqSsulk
BTW Shetland was part of Norway until C15th, hence the Norse/Scandinavian connection.
It's like a Finish instrument. A Yohiko(sp?). Played with your finger nails for slides on the home made horse hair strings. Love this instrument. Nice job!
One more q, sorry for all these but... intrigued! HOW do you play it re. moving notes up and down on the 2 strings? Or are you simply hearing nothing but the two open-string notes period?? Thx again Jock. -Glenn
Wow, COOL! Not to mention I love Scotland. Anyhow, are they always 2 strings... and WHAT are those strings? How are they tuned? Many thanks and kudos for a cool instrument Jock. -Glenn
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Well, you inspired bro.! Did my homework all over the web, then turned my father-in-law onto this. Mine is scrap wood, glued up, about 50 percent finished. Will post pics when done. Busy the next few days but hopefully next week prior to tour. Rustic... truly. But such fun! Thanks Jock! -Glenn
Thanks for the nice comments guys.
Glenn - the strings are made of 25 twisted strands of real horsehair. I use superglue to retain the knots as the hair is slippery.Tuning is D and G. The Gue has only the 2 strings (unlike Jouhikkos and other lyres), both being played together. The D is just left as a drone and the G is "fretted by placing the backs of the fingers against the string. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_mQjqSsulk
BTW Shetland was part of Norway until C15th, hence the Norse/Scandinavian connection.
One more q, sorry for all these but... intrigued! HOW do you play it re. moving notes up and down on the 2 strings? Or are you simply hearing nothing but the two open-string notes period?? Thx again Jock. -Glenn
Wow, COOL! Not to mention I love Scotland. Anyhow, are they always 2 strings... and WHAT are those strings? How are they tuned? Many thanks and kudos for a cool instrument Jock. -Glenn