2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 09:15 PM

How's the "Rick Fielding Implosive Wacko Mando" coming along? Go with the B.Uke/Ten gtr. or the App.....or the above stated mando. I like the strumstick as an App substitute and they're very small. How about I just send the dude a stick dulcimer?

Spaw

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 09:06 PM

Has to support vocal -- or so he said. I tried Canary Island timple in a couple of search engines without success. Is this a real instrument? yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Pauline L.
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 07:28 PM

I recommend a pennywhistle or recorder. They're small, light, easy to carry, and easy to learn (the basics, anyway).

I have a friend who climbed Mt. McKinley with his recorder in his backpack. When he got to the top, he tried to play "This Land Is Your Land," but he couldn't because he was out of breath.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Bert
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 06:41 PM

Try here

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Bert
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 02:12 PM

That should be OK Rog, he DID say he was touring;-)

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 06:59 AM

I noticed no-one suggested kazoo (but I can never go back anywhere I've been before so perhaps you're right!
RtS

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 09:54 AM

I know I'm going to regret this, but what is a Canary island timple? (of course you can pick up a cavaquinho on every street corner.... )
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 02:06 AM

Yup John. You'd need different guages. Sorry, I'm so used to switching strings around on my instruments I didn't think of it. I'd go: 045, 035, 025, 014. (I think)

Rick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 01:51 AM

Rick, I certainly would not laugh at that idea but I would wonder about what gauges of stings would need to be used. The higher to strings shouldn't cause a problem with standard mandolin strings but mandolin D to guitar G is by my reckoning 5 semitones higher and the G to the G is 7 semitones higher. I'm a bit brain dead at the moment but I think that the mandolin 3rd string would make the 4th string on that tuning leaving someting else required for the 3rd string.

Of course, if you were to use that tuning, there would be nothing wrong in using pairs of strings either as with a 12 string guitar.

Jon

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 01:39 AM

Sure Wyo, but are you willing to stow it in the overhead when flying?

OK now here's another suggestion...and DON'T laugh at me. (well, not altogether anyway). Buy any cheap generic mandolin, remove the strings. Put only four back on. Tune them (from the bass) D,G,B,E. It will finger like a guitar and be lower in pitch, making it better to sing with. OK, NOW you can laugh...but I'm gonna try it tonight and see.

Rick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: WyoWoman
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 08:45 PM

The human voice is deliciously portable.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: charcloth
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 08:26 PM

the appala. dulcimer gets my vote. If you can hum a tune you can easily figure out how to play it. you can chord it or note it. tuning is the easiest of any stringed inst. can learn it quite quickly and yet grow a life time with it. it is lighter than a tenor guitar or just about any of the other inst. listed. the mandoline does not accompany a singer well by itself. A tenor guitar or a uke would be my 2nd choices. A uke is easier to find. but Tiny Tim hurt the image of a uke to badly for me to carry one. It is a shame cause it & Tiny Tim were missunderstood

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: EL Jefe
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 08:21 PM

Peter T... Melodeon...There are two definitions of Melodeon.. The English...a diatonic button accordion Rest of The World.. A ONE row diatonic button accordion

Concertinas...lots of great web sites..in nut shell English (here we go again) 48 buttons...chromatic... different tone in and out...(like a piano accordion) tenor-treble 56 buttons..great for accompanyment (sp) best known players Allistair Anderson ..Simon Thoumire Anglo...push-pull different notes...20 button..diatonic 2 keys and the relative minors...30 Button...some chromatic capabilities..and there are 36..38 etc.. Irish play mostly C/G (note that is not G/C).and some other pitches...Noel Hill etc...

My vote (having travelled a bit and play a few instruments...NOT a singer... 1. Diatonic harmonics (s) Steinbeck... 2. Penny whistle (s) 3. Ukulele, cavaquinho, Venezuelan cuatro, Canary Island timple (note the M)..in that order.. bag the Tenor uke..too large... Have you checked out the instrument called the "FLUKE" Jim Beloff web site...ukes are cool..and fun and serious if you want to be..however like all stringed instruments.. subject to damage.. Personnaly I'd have a Uke..many great players and versatile.. Check the KAWIKA uke site....get a "concert" size.. El Jefe

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 07:52 PM

I like the idea of the strumstick. It is basically an Appalachian stripped down to a tiny soundboard. Like the AD, it is nearly impossible to play one badly if you can tune it. It isn't hard to tune. You can get as complicated as you want with it: alternate tunings, chords, etc.)

I was happy to hit the House of Musical Traditions (local to Washington, D.C./Takoma Park) web site and find a bargain price for it. The price includes a carrying case (more like a carrying sheath). < a href=http://www.hmtrad.com/instr/kids.html>CLICK HERE and look for the strumstick under string suggestions.

Since we're talking about backpacking here, this instrument can stow just about anywhere in the pack. Mine is about 31" long in the case. The widest end is about 6 and 1/2" and quickly tapers to 2 and 1/2". If feels like a toy, but is pretty rugged.

My next suggestion would be the Kalimba. Go to the House of Musical Traditions site and look under Percussion suggestions. This instrument has nice tonal qualities for individual accompaniment. It is pretty rugged and again you can start easy and get complicated later.

You know, it's threads like this that I really like. Where else could you sample so many opinions and so much personal experience. Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: wildlone
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 04:00 PM

Just a passing thread creep,the pictures of the tiple seem to show an instrument similar to the one the Portugesse luthiers call the English guitar, arn't the late night progs on tv great thats where I saw an interview with a Portugesse luthier.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 03:08 PM

Oh all right! I'll relent and agree with Rick on this. For some reason I missed the fact that this was for a novice type traveler. A Baritone Uke or a tenor guitar would be the most versatile. best range for the weight and size of the instruments gathered here. Altho' a tiple does have a certain charm.

Don

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Sean Belt
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 02:59 PM

I've got to go with Catspaw on this one. I play several stringed things. But for travel, I always carry my Appalachian dulcimer. I take mine with me on business trips to while away the time in hotels, as well on camping and floating trips in the Ozarks. It's light and compact enough that it fits well in the airlines' overhead bins or under my seat.

Another advantage to the dulcimer is that it's easy to learn to play, while affording a picker the opportunity to get as complicated as he/she wants with chording and finger picking patterns. And best of all, you can tune it to play in the keys in which you most comfortably sing.

What more could a person want in a travel instrument?

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Easy Rider
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 02:26 PM

You know those little toy Grand pianos, made of plastic, that little kids play with? They do actually make music, not much bass, but music just the same...

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Bert
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 02:17 PM

I really hate advertising other peoples stuff here, but this thingie might work.

http://www.netstuff.com/strumstick/strum.htm

I think it's a bit pricey, but it looks fun.

Bert.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: InOBU
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 01:40 PM

Lugging around Uilleann pipes, I can sympathise. How bout a Hurdy Gurdy, (if he has LOTS of cash to spend). Larry

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: sophocleese
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 01:33 PM

Did actually see in Heidelberg a pianist with his piano on large yellow wheels. He parked it under an overhanging shop front and regaled passers-by with some lovely music. Perhaps your friend would consider using a piano as a combination of instrument, luggage compartment, go-cart and, with tarpaulin, emergency shelter. He could even attach a bunper dumper. He could call himself a son of one of the Goons.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Danlbear
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 12:27 PM

Whatever happened to the days or "Bach"and "Beethoven" when the travelling musician travelled the countryside on horseback with his or her piano strapped on his back?

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 03 Jan 00 - 11:27 AM

Continuing thanks. The top picks seem to be: ukelele, or baritone uke, mandolin, Martin backpacker, concertina of some kind, Indian banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, personal swing band following in U-Haul.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 02:33 PM

YES! YES! Baritone ukes are wonderful! Peter, early on last year we had a great thread on that. I was trying to decide which I wanted. The courting guitars are beautiful,too.

If he isn't too serious and wants to be inexpensive, he can get a decent sounding baritone uke at West World Music. My sister bought one for about $35 U.S., supposedly for school, then gave it to me. While it isn't as nice as her's, it is sufficient for an amateur like me.

Fun thread!

kat

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 01:13 PM

And that goes double for me

Rick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 01:12 PM

Autoharps, though fairly compact, are heavy and sound like ratshit if they're even slightly out of tune. By the time you've walked half a mile I garantee it will have been jiggled way out of tune. The mandolin, although REALLY compact, needs a lot of technique to be an accompaniement instrument in other than a very few keys..likewise the concertina. As far as I'm concerned there's only one instrument that fits the bill in all ways..the baritone uke, or tenor guitar.(they're VERY similar) Both are dead simple to play (if tuned like the 4 high strings on a guitar) and with a capo, can be hugely versatile. They're not that difficult to find, are usually cheap, can (easily) fit in the above luggage container on a plane, and if you want power....can be equipped with a pickup. Mine is a Regal "courting guitar" from early in the century and cost 75 bucks (Canadian).

Rick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 12:59 PM

Autoharps, though fairly compact, are heavy and sound like ratshit if they're even slightly out of tune. By the time you've walked half a mile I garantee it will have been jiggled way out of tune. The mandolin, although REALLY compact, needs a lot of technique to be an accompaniement instrument in other than a very few keys..likewise the concertina. As far as I'm concerned there's only one instrument that fits the bill in all ways..the baritone uke, or tenor guitar.(they're VERY similar) Both are dead simple to play (if tuned like the 4 high strings on a guitar) and with a capo, can be hugely versatile. They're not that difficult to find, are usually cheap, can (easily) fit in the above luggage container on a plane, and if you want power....can be equipped with a pickup. Mine is a Regal "courting guitar" from early in the century and cost 75 bucks (Canadian).

Rick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 12:46 PM

(totally hilarious, Alice!) It sounds like they adapted a traditional koto (or typewriter, for that matter), and it ended up a dulcimer. This remains a bizarre story, which is somewhat unbelievable -- how did it get to Pakistan or India? (WWWII?).
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Alice
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:35 AM

the thread discussing taishokoto seems to be buried under another subject heading, but I did find information from an email from takeo:

Alice Flynn wrote
:

> I have found a source for the instruments that I can purchase in the
> United States, made in Pakistan. They are called a banjo in India.

yes, i saw another indian source catalog that also call taisho-koto as banjo.

> Here is a picture... different, because the small one has typewriter
> keys instead of piano keys. The big one is $60 US, the typewriter one
> $50 US.

wow, really cheap! and japanese one is usually typewriter one.

> I called the company. They said the
> strings are like guitar strings, and the sound is like a dulcimer. I am
> going to customize the tuning so I can use it to play Irish and American
> folk music.
> If you have any more information about the taishokoto, I would
> appreciate it. Thank you. Alice

recently i bought one book that explain japanese traditional musical instruments. here are taisho-koto part translation for you (sorry for wrong english):

------------------

taisho-koto,
taisho-koto, applied piano key to 2 string fletless harp, was invented by mr. goro morita, aka. mr. nisaburo kawaguchi or aka. onkai who lived in nagoya(*1), circa 1913. because it was easy to play very much and not so expensive, it soon became to be boomed among people. 2 steel string located on body, though today 5 string, and strings are covered with music sheet board (*2), and button are arranged like type writer for chromatical 2 octave range (*3). today's tuning is as follows; thin 3 string for same pitch to G, and semi bold string to one octave lower G (*4). the final bold string that is nearest to player, and not to be fletted by key button, is used for bass accompaniment to the pitch of D or C or some other key note of the tune, though this 5th string don't have to be played for usual tunes. the key buttons are arranged as the same as piano. if one push certain key, all 4 string are fletted at the same time. player push one button and strum the whole 4 string with flat pick. this taisho-koto was transmitted to south asia and india, and even used for accompanying isramic hymn(*5).

---------

*1, nagoya: where i have lived through my life.
*2, music sheet board: where player locate music score standed like piano.
*3, button arrangement: i once told you buttons arrangement are the same width like piano and not narrower for higher pitch, this was wrong. they are really varies.
*4, all 4 strings are straight steel string like 1st & 3rd string for guitar, only 5th string is round wound one like 4th guitar string.
*5, guess if yours is made in pakistan, its original purpose is for isramic hymn.

hope you enjoy!

-takeo

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Alice
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:17 AM

Peter, I am still waiting until I am employed again before I add to my instrument collection, but I have wanted a taishokoto for a long time, and got some information about it from asking questions here on the Mudcat. I'll refresh that thread for you. You can tune the strings the way you want to. It is like an American lap dulcimer. -alice

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:14 AM

Hi Peter...App. is "long stringy thingy"--traditionally single noted with drone strings, gives bagpipe effect, which helps to explain the popularity in the southern mountains where the Scots/Irish root music was strong. Hammered is a board zither struck with hammers, derived from the psaltery. Apps can be and are often chorded. This is easier with a small scale fretboard (length of instrument determines scale--ratio). I wouldn't suggest any multi-string things such as autoharps or hammered dulcimers for a beginner travelling-too many tuning problems. This link doesn't always work, but if not try Lark in the Morning and check the Mountain(Applachian) dulcimers....there is a small one listed with a sound clip for, I think, $65.00 US.

Spaw

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Tony Burns
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:06 AM

I'll also suggest mandolin. I have one that someone thought was called a pocket mandolin. It is 23" long but only 5" wide (Just wider than the bridge.) and less thatn 2" thick. The problem might be finding one. I have only seen mine and one at the 12th Fret. However, now that you know such a thing exists you could call around. Mine has no markings to indicate who made it or when. Oh, and it only cost me $50.00CDN. My other suggestion would be a banjo mandolin Peter. Do you remember the one Davie had at the Tranzac? Lark In The Morning has one for $95.00US on their Mandolin page.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:05 AM

Mandolin's the way to go.

Mike: More people don't play the ukulele because it reminds them too much of that silly little Mickey Mouse guitar that they had when they were three years old.

Want to piss off a mandolin-player? Say, "Wow! Is that ever a nice ukulele!" It works on me every time.

Paul.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:04 AM

sorry, forgot the all important:
6) The concept of the bumperdumper eludes me. Who would crap on the highway? (Even to ask this question relegates me to the 19th or 20th centuries of distant memory). Is this to get back at someone who has stolen your parking place? And what is the turkey for? (even to ask this question......)
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Peter T.
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 10:54 AM

Phew, as ever, awesome. A few more questions and then I'll get this printed out.
1) Small Appalachian dulcimer. Is that the one with the hammers or the long stringy thing? (I seem to remember a thread where I asked this question before, he said in embarrassment.). Does it play chords, or just single notes?
2) Alice, does an Taishokoto (sounds Japanese to me) or Indian banjo sound like an autoharp? Is it strung for Western-style music? (To tell you the truth, I am personally fascinated by it.)
3) What is a melodeon?
4) What is the tradeoff in autoharps? The smaller they are the fewer chord bars or something?
5) This has been asked a hundred times, but it would be nice to have it here in this thread: is a button box concertina the 20 button model and the other larger? (I don't understand the difference between an Anglo and an English model. Must be because I am Anglo-English). Could someone just donate a paragraph on the differences, etc.?
Thanks again for the continuing suggestions.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Les B
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 02:08 AM

How about a brown paper bag as played by David Holt & others (the poor person's Bodhran) They're also great for holding candy bars and dirty sox.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Rosebrook
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 01:03 AM

Being a proud novice player of a gorgeous, new hammered dulcimer (how fun!), I wanted to share that I saw a 9/8 backpacker hammered dulcimer on e-bay today. Looks very cool. (No, I don't get a commission for mentioning it here!) It looks like it would make a nice travelin' companion.

Rose

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 12:46 AM

I vote for the mandolin. He could probabally find one cheap. I think Lark in the Morning sells a travel model thats tiny. Or perhaps a tenor guitar. Four strings and easier to learn.

I would also highly suggest a book called "The Backpackers Songbook". I got mine from Martin guitars for only $5.50. Great collection of songs, chord diagrams and some good first aid information included also. All in a book about 5 x 8 inches. Work checking out.

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 08:48 PM

here's a direct link to a keyboard dulcimer (Indian banjo) for $50. You strum the strings with the right hand and press the keys that chord the strings with the left hand. Easy to learn. click here

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 08:38 PM

Taishokoto, or called a "banjo" in India. Inexpensive keyboard/dulcimer in a case. Comes in different lengths.

click here for photo Order from Ethnic Musical Instruments click here

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: emily rain
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 08:32 PM

how DO you do it, 'spaw? do you just type "tasteless" into some search engine and see what comes up?

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 08:28 PM

Uh...yeah............er, uh..............sure.................

Why not just throw a few strings ON THIS and kill two birds with one stone...so to speak.

Spaw

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 08:08 PM

well, perhaps an inflatable guitar would help....they SEEM serious

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 07:43 PM

Spaw,

Yes, I believe there was a thread........

Don

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 07:24 PM

Tiple?

Spaw

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 07:13 PM

Of the instruments that I play, the mandolin or even mandolin banjo would be suitable and both of these should be obtainable very cheaply. Melodeon and concertina both fit the requrements but concertina's in particular tend to be expensive if you want one that plays reasonably well. It is also a lot easier to sing, strumming chords than it is to try and accompany yourelf on the reeded instruments.

Jon

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 06:39 PM

Peter, it's the mandolin or the Martin Backpacker for sure. CLICK HERE for a picture of a used one that Elderly has. If they use the search engine on the Elderly site which is at www.elderly.com they will come up with a number of new and used. There is even one with a pickup, although for the life of me I canna figure why you would do that. If there is interest in one of the used ones which go for between $100 and $175 US, I would be happy to check out the instrument on one of my forays into the shop.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 06:31 PM

I would lean towards an Autoharp myself. The gog bag works like a brief case. Versatile, fairly small, quick to learn. Schmidt used to make a smaller one for school kids. Keith Young makes a good Harp and as I recall its smaller than many.

If frets are desired, then there is no question

A Tiple.

Don

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: longhair
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 06:23 PM

Martin use to make, and may still make, a guitar they called a Backpacker(I think that's the name of it). It had a small body but a pretty decent sound. I also saw a very small Taylor that had an excellent sound I thought. I also agree w/ the Mandolin thought. FWIW

Subject: RE: 2000 Mudcat Music Question! (really)
From: Mike Billo
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 06:19 PM

Emily hit the nail on the head with the first reply. Ukulele!

I often wonder why more people don't play this incredible little instrument.