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09 Feb 07 - 10:16 AM (#1962256) Subject: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,mick p royal marine shanty crew one of our members (he sings The Barly Malt) was given a hurdy gurdy for his birthday from his wife. He has been practising on it ever since, three years now. I heard him play? it recently. After leaving the trauma dept of our local hospital after days of intensive treatment and therepy I just want revenge on that instrument of torture and its player. |
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09 Feb 07 - 10:34 AM (#1962269) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Georgiansilver Hurdy Gurdy when played correctly..lovely instrument...what are you going to do to your friend? |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:04 AM (#1962287) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Scoville Are there instructional videos for hurdy-gurdy? Seriously, I love hurdy-gurdy when it's played well. I don't advocate wholesale elimination of hurdy-gurdies (banjos, autoharps, bowed psalteries . . . well, maybe bowed psalteries), but he ought to be listen-to-able after three years. |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:36 AM (#1962312) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,leeneia A planet that permits Rod Stewart to live should have no trouble with a challenged hurdy-gurdy player. Mick, have you ever heard how a hurdy-gurdy is supposed to sound? If so, is your friend playing it right? In other words, is it you or him that has the problem? This would be step 1 in figuring this out. |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:46 AM (#1962317) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: artbrooks Cut to the chase...let's have no thread drift here. Just to get the ball rolling, I would suggest a light application of hatchet, and then put it to a higher purpose as kindling. |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:47 AM (#1962318) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: bubblyrat More to the point,why is it called a Hurdy-Gurdy ?? And what is it called elsewhere, ie France,Spain,Germany ?? A less colourful, but more correct appellation that I have heard, is "Buzzy Thing ". I do actually rather like it, in short bursts, but it does seem rather limited in its scope----I mean ,Donovan sang about one,but I don't think that you could play that tune on one. |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:48 AM (#1962320) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Midchuck Recalls to mind a friend who used to work on his own computers, and also liked precision rifle shooting. It was his custom, if a hard drive died and had to be replaced, to put the old drive up at the range to shoot at. If satisfied two purposes - worked out his frustration, and made sure that no one would find the old drive in the garbage and somehow retrieve confidential data from it. Peter. |
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09 Feb 07 - 11:55 AM (#1962326) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Alec Vielle a roue in French, sometimes Wheel Fiddle in English & originally the Organistrum.It has a long history so let it live. |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:04 PM (#1962337) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: ThreeSheds Put it on top of a pyre of borons |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:05 PM (#1962338) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Waddon Pete Hello, Step one. Record friend playing said Hurdy Gurdy. Step two. Take said friend to hear some expert exponent expounding. Step three. While the memory is still clear in friend's mind ~ play them the recording made in Step one. Step four. Friend will either howl with frustration and get rid of the H-G in despair OR desire to get better... Or maybe not!! Best wishes, Peter |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:13 PM (#1962349) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: bubblyrat Thankyou Alec. I must say,'Organistrum'makes it sound much more like a musical instrument than a Tudor dessert. |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:15 PM (#1962352) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Alec Or maybe something from Barbarella.;-) |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:31 PM (#1962366) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,Russ I have a friend who is an excellent HG player. When he is playing it is bearable for the first 30 or 40 seconds. |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:32 PM (#1962369) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Don Firth "That thing wouldn't keep howling like that if you'd stop twisting it's tail!" Don Firth |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:40 PM (#1962376) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Richard Bridge With you on that Leenia |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:42 PM (#1962381) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Bill D This one is living on borrowed time! It is, as you see, homemade......the list of jokes made about it in the last 20-30 years would fill a book. (The cartoon taped to says "How long does it take to learn to play this thing?") |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:44 PM (#1962384) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: bubblyrat Alec !! Yes ! It was obviously originally an instrument of ritual self-abuse designed by the Medieval Teutonic libertine, Orgasmus. |
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09 Feb 07 - 12:53 PM (#1962393) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: synbyn An ark for woodworm... cast it on the ocean for 40 days |
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09 Feb 07 - 01:46 PM (#1962441) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,tony geen I love the hurdy-gurdy, but I can understand why people might not. Thread originator should go to La Chaise Dieue in the Auvergne (France). In the church is an enormous mural, definitely showing somebody trampling a hurdy-gurdy underfoot. |
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09 Feb 07 - 01:58 PM (#1962452) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Bernard A band called The Time Bandits from Chester, UK, include an Hurdy Gurdy in their line up - but only for a couple of sets. When played along with the English Pipes (similar to Flemish Pipes), cello and melodeon the sound is magic... Mind you, it's not nicknamed the 'bottle o'wasps' for nowt! Was that Dick Greenhaus in the picture with the player of the home-made HG, Bill? |
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09 Feb 07 - 02:30 PM (#1962488) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,Seaking (at work and bored) Take two onions, one garlic clove, one hurdy gurdy... |
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09 Feb 07 - 02:40 PM (#1962502) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: harpmolly Get him Doreen Muskett's "Hurdy-Gurdy Method Book". If that fails, try this! M |
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09 Feb 07 - 02:41 PM (#1962503) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: ranger1 My one experience with a hurdy-gurdy was that exact one in Bill D's blue clicky. A sledgehammer and a box of matches come to mind... |
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09 Feb 07 - 04:51 PM (#1962604) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Songster Bob Step One: Douse the tuner end with lighter fluid or some other suitable flammable material. Step Two: Insert (forcefully) the other end in your player's "other end." Step Three: Light the flammable fluid. (This method ensures that the victim will burn his hands pulling the bloody thing out!) Bob |
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09 Feb 07 - 04:58 PM (#1962610) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Bill D (yes..that was, indeed, Dick Greenhaus....trying to lean the other way, so as to limit his exposure while not losing his seat on the bench..) |
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09 Feb 07 - 05:51 PM (#1962641) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,Shimrod As most of you know I don't like much - but I am rather partial to a well played hurdy-gurdy. |
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09 Feb 07 - 09:03 PM (#1962810) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Dave Hunt Great story of a soundman at a gig where the band included hurdy-gurdy "Ive been trying for ages but can't get rid of some sort of wasp-like buzz coming out of that funny instrument") ....collapse of band in hysterics.. Dave |
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10 Feb 07 - 12:47 AM (#1962953) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe 1) Send it to me. I would like a real one. 2) I have a small version called a Symphonia. My father being an expert violinist, I set it up so that it DOESN'T squawk! Amazing how many people think it is a beautiful instrument when it is set up that way... 3) If i told you how I set it up, i'd have to kill you... 4) I'm not making this up you know.... |
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10 Feb 07 - 09:53 AM (#1963173) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Charley Noble Perhaps a Viking style funeral would be appropriate. Douse Hurdy Gurdy with flamable fluid, place in water body, ignite with a looooong match, and give it a shove out from the shore. Charley Noble |
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10 Feb 07 - 10:54 AM (#1963199) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Micca If anyone can remember the 200th anniversary of the French revolution celebrations (in 1989?), The had SEVERAL HUNDERED of them marching, playing, down the Champs Elysee in Paris!!!! |
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10 Feb 07 - 11:24 AM (#1963222) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Janie Buy your friend a one way ticket to Seattle! Alternately, you could move to Los Angeles, where there is protection from Hurdy-Gurdy's included in the city code. "SEC. 41.29. HAND ORGANS ON STREETS. No person shall operate or play any hand organ or hurdy-gurdy in, upon or along any street or sidewalk." Janie |
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10 Feb 07 - 11:28 AM (#1963226) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Bernard Ummm... HAND ORGANS?? Oooh, Matron! |
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10 Feb 07 - 12:01 PM (#1963244) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Geoff the Duck Surely it should be possible to rig up a match so that it strikes on the wheel when the handle is turning at speed. This combined with a short fuse and a couple of pounds of black powder funnelled into the body of the instrument ought to do the job. Quack! GtD. |
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10 Feb 07 - 12:15 PM (#1963260) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Effsee That's amazing Janie...they all look quite normal people! ;-) |
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10 Feb 07 - 12:44 PM (#1963289) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Janie Scary, isn't it? |
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10 Feb 07 - 12:59 PM (#1963301) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,leeneia Let's see. Catters feel free to express their hate for (so far) accordion, bodhran, banjo, spoons, shakey eggs, and now hurdy-gurdy. Then they wonder why trad music isn't growing... Granted, hurdy-gurdy is an unusual, rather buzzy instrument. It's an ancient instrument and ought to be played with the right kind of music. However, ten to one the problem is with the sound system rather than the instrument. |
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10 Feb 07 - 01:12 PM (#1963308) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Effsee Scary indeed Janie. Can you imagine what it would sound like all played together? How's things in the Holler btw? |
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10 Feb 07 - 03:34 PM (#1963395) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Joe Offer There was a performance by TWO hurdy-gurdys at San Francisco's Camp Harmony this year, playing a medieval French song - and it was marvelous. Unfortunately, that hasn't been my usual experience with the hurdy-gurdy. I'm glad to know that it can be good, though. -Joe- |
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10 Feb 07 - 03:43 PM (#1963403) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Janie Writer's Block, Effsee--I think because right now, life is proving stranger than fiction... Hmmmmm...wonder if working a hurdy-gurdy into the story would.... Never mind! Janie |
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10 Feb 07 - 04:09 PM (#1963413) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: artbrooks Sound system? The mere thought of a hurdy gurdy connected to a sound system is enough to make a strong man blanch! |
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10 Feb 07 - 04:25 PM (#1963418) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Waddon Pete It was a dark and stormy night. The Hurdy Gurdy shivered and threw another log on the fire. It was worried. So many death threats...so little time....suddenly there came a noise outside the door. It sounded like some-one had knocked over some milk bottles on the step. The Hurdy Gurdy crossed to the fire place and took down the shotgun hanging above it. The sound of 12 bore shells being loaded filled the tiny room. Outside the assassin sniggered... "hah, only that home security CD playing!". Slowly the door opened and....... |
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11 Feb 07 - 01:58 AM (#1963731) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Gurney Luthiers who build Hurdy-Gurdys (as spelled in Wordweb) go to considerable trouble to MAKE them buzz, in several fashions. Otherwise they sound like Cellos with the wrong rosin on the bow. And within the buzz, a player can set up a rhythmic element with fine handle control. A friend of mine built one. A piece of woodworking artistry, even undecorated. I seem to remember reading that Samuel Pepys complained, after a musical evening, that "The Hurdy-Gurdy could not be fixed in tune." A mild buzz never hurt anyone, unless they were driving home. Twangs, though, can drive you mad. Plucks come from inside a pig, and are made into sausages. And faggots. Bows are what little girls wear, and there are too many fiddles in the world. I think I'll stop now. |
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11 Feb 07 - 02:35 AM (#1963742) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe "Otherwise they sound like Cellos with the wrong rosin on the bow" ... or a cello with the bow played in the wrong (not classically standard!) position... |
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11 Feb 07 - 06:55 AM (#1963843) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,English Jon I think I know who you're talking about! - He's actually doing quite well with it. They take a lot of time and dedication, and he's breaking the back of it. Get the cotton and rosin right and then you're in a position to adjust all the tangents to the correct position. theres only 46 of them so it shouldn't take more than a couple of days, although it could take a lot longer if the nuts aren't in the right place (as with so much in life, really). Donovan had probably never seen a hurdy gurdy, but you CAN play that song on one. a quick search on the web for DROHNE will probably throw up a chap in margate called Phil who is once of the greatest musicians I've ever met. He does HG man segueing into La Moresque...very strange stuff but utterly brilliant. Destroying a hurdy gurdy is quite difficult as they're built to last. A bowl back is a very strong shape, even on something as lightly built as my antique Pajot Jeune. The best way to stop them playing would probably be to steal the handle. Grip the sides (not the edge) of the wheel and crank the handle the other way. Of course, if you're not sure which way IS the other way, you're not really in a position to criticise. The usual thing people do to stop you playing is touch the wheel - fingertip out and pointing "is that what makes the sound?". This leaves a deposit of grease on the bowing surface and ruins the nice even coat of rosin that the player has spent weeks acheiving. This results in gaps in the sound (as the wheel slips each time it reaches that spot) and a broken nose. If you want to hear good hurdy gurdy playing, listen to Patrick Bouffard. I shouldn't bother with Nigel Eaton to be honest. Very showy with excellent technique, but he's a robot. Bouffard has passion, energy and style. If you want to burn a HG, soak it in parafin overnight first. Be prepared for the bill when (if) you get out of hospital, though. Cheers, Loomes |
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11 Feb 07 - 07:19 AM (#1963858) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe I'm sure it would be far more spectacular to burn an MG though.... |
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11 Feb 07 - 08:54 AM (#1963911) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,bus passed Anybody ever seen a left handed HG? How do you tell? |
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11 Feb 07 - 09:43 AM (#1963943) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: LukeKellylives (Chris) http://www.youtube.com/p.swf?video_id=YPFeSnIJfT0&eurl=http%3A//video.yahoo.com/video/play%3F_%3D%26p%3DHurdy%2BGurdy%26toggle%3D1%26ei%3DUTF-8%26qp_p%3Dhurdy%2Bgurdy%26b%3D11%26oid%3&iurl=http%3A//sjl-static11.sjl.youtube.com/vi/YPFeSnIJfT0/2.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKzIoKaS-Tr_zcyTSrWzY7X Not a bad hurdy gurdy player...Now, the first time I heard one.... *shudders* It sounded like this: http://www.youtube.com/p.swf?video_id=oZKQf-JIvRU&eurl=http%3A//video.yahoo.com/video/play%3F_%3D%26p%3DHurdy%2BGurdy%26toggle%3D1%26ei%3DUTF-8%26b%3D8%26oid%3D68437c8ab6d93d5d%26rurl&iurl=http%3A//sjl-static4.sjl.youtube.com/vi/oZKQf-JIvRU/2.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKyRBhfNAg9S9NiuTVJj7W5 I suggest throwing it off the Empire State Building, lighting the remains on fire, freezing the ashes, burning them again, and then set them out to sea to be eaten by sea creatures. |
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11 Feb 07 - 03:15 PM (#1964172) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,mick p royal marine shanty crew English Jon, thanks for your input on this subject and all the tech? stuff to do with HGs but theres no getting away from the fact that they,when played well! sound like a bagpipe drone being dealt with by the same people that sorted saddam out last month. In answer to guest,bus passed, you cant tell a left handed HG from a right handed HG. they both sound the same and the MUSICIANS? playing them both drink gallons of scrumpy before thier performance as can be seen through thier empty glazed eyes just before they turn that handle. All joking apart Trad Music is great keep it going and long may it live. |
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11 Feb 07 - 03:21 PM (#1964175) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Lynda Finn Easy answer - send it to me and I'll dispose of it. I'm always in the market for free instruments :-) |
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11 Feb 07 - 03:37 PM (#1964195) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,mick p royal marine shanty crew thanks for the offer LYNDA FINN,but the instrument I am talking about is an instrument of torture not music its a HURDY GURDY. |
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11 Feb 07 - 05:27 PM (#1964303) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe Beat you to begging for it, Lynda... |
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12 Feb 07 - 01:34 AM (#1964579) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Gurney Wouldn't a LH HG have the buttons on the other end of the keys? Easy peasy. |
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12 Feb 07 - 01:47 AM (#1964583) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe Interestingly enough, normal HGs that have the wheel on the right are probably ALL left handed - since the keys are operated by the left hand.... :-P |
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12 Feb 07 - 08:14 PM (#1965499) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Fidjit In Sweden it's called a "Vevlira" = weaving lira this guy can really handle it. There are some sound tracks on there too. Enjoy. Chas |
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13 Feb 07 - 05:34 AM (#1965767) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe "are probably ALL left handed" Well, since nobody bit on that, I suppose I should stop laughing and explain that the reason the wheel is for the right hand is because the rhythm was more important than the melody... cf pipe & tabor. :-) |
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13 Feb 07 - 05:50 AM (#1965783) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Jack Campin I met somebody who was at a folk festival somewhere in France where there was a hurdy-gurdy being played. An elderly gent asked what it was as he'd never seen one before, so they told him. The elderly gent turned out to be Donovan. |
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13 Feb 07 - 06:48 AM (#1965819) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe Go on - the other one plays Jingle Bells.... :-) |
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13 Feb 07 - 06:56 AM (#1965829) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Scrump Just check it into the hold on any British Airways flight. |
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13 Feb 07 - 05:59 PM (#1966578) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: mick p r.m s.c To FOOLESTROUPE nobody bit on it because they are still taken back that an Hurdy Gurdy as rhythm and melody. Next you will be saying that its a musical instrument. Cheers, Mick. |
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13 Feb 07 - 06:17 PM (#1966604) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe "Next you will be saying that its a musical instrument." What! Like Bagpipes and Bodhrans? Now about that Shaky Egg.... |
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13 Feb 07 - 06:25 PM (#1966619) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: mick p r.m s.c Nothing wrong with shaky eggs as long as they are tuned properly. Thats a hell of a lot more than can be said of HGs. |
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13 Feb 07 - 07:16 PM (#1966682) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: The Fooles Troupe Actually, as I mentioned in the "Violins/Fiddles" thread, the 'scratchiness' is partly WHERE the wheel touches the strings. The other problem is the same as the violin bow - if too much pressure is put on the string, you get that scratchy sound. I have found that if you use the right amount and type of wool (was 'cotton' actually available?!!!) and lift the string to the right height above the wheel, so that the STRING IS NOT ACTUALLY TOUCHING the wheel, but the wool acts as a bow buffering the direct contact of the wheel, the 'scratchiness' totally disappears. Kinda like how some brass instruments are played to sound in some cultures - they would fail an audition for a 'Western' brass band because of the 'tone' .... if you listen to badly set up and played instruments for long enough, then they all 'must' (traditionally!) sound like that.... :~P |
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13 Feb 07 - 08:37 PM (#1966770) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,Nick Just like the rest of the unwelcome western intervention it can be dispatched with a well placed Improvised Explosive Devise Nick |
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13 Feb 07 - 10:54 PM (#1966907) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: Gypsy Listen to Patrick Bouffard sometime........now there is a master of the beastie! If you want to quiet it down......oil the wheel........that'll tone the bugger down! |
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16 Mar 07 - 04:49 PM (#1998984) Subject: RE: ideas on good deaths for hurdy gurdies From: GUEST,HughM "Two hurdy-gurdies at Camp Harmony"? Surely there must be some mistake? Saw this in Tykes' News a while back: What's the difference between a hurdy-gurdy and an onion? Nobody cries if you chop up a hurdy-gurdy. |
