Hurdy Gurdy set up part 3 strings and double keyboard demo

savarez corelli crystal viola g and d,
Tomastic Dominant cello g and c
plain gut, not high twist .94mm
double keyboard hg made by Chris Eaton (dad)

[@fouellet1701]

That double keyboard is really amazing! It creates a new instrument altogether.

[@philippecopin1517]

the pleasure of a hurdy-gurdy musician to make chords....

[@thomashaugh659]

Thanks Nigel, finally I get to know something about the double keyboard set up you have. The possibilities from there must be beyond vast. I know you say you’re not suited to teaching but it would be positively wonderful if you’d consider making a video on your trompette technique. It’s the hardest thing I feel.

[@nigeleaton1]

done

[@monespal1924]

Awesome videoo! Love that double keyboard feature, and cheers for that Loreena McKennitt reference

[@Sergio.GonzalezPrats]

This video is briliant Nigel!

[@theaddictedprepper902]

I adored that thunderous low D.

[@MichelBordeleau]

This double keybord is so great! Thanks for all the infos.

[@MeunierVielle]

Le double clavier est vraiment incroyable !! :O

[@StrumHollow]

Wow! Amazing sound! Your videos are very helpful. A kit built gurdy come into my shop for repairs. It's the first I've worked on so I've been searching for info especially about strings. There sure is lots to learn.

[@jamesscott3263]

The double keyboard blew my mind. Thanks for sharing

[@philippecopin1517]

it's a genius invention ! 😍

[@darkehorse71]

Freaking amazing.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Wow! This makes me want to put aside my HG Apostasy, stop making cigar box guitars and get to playing my hg (at least for awhile!)

[@nigeleaton1]

do it!!

[@taniaopland]

Wow. That is fabulous. Thank you for answering my two biggest questions in one video. And can I second Thomas' request for a trompette video?

[@nigeleaton1]

you may, i'm planning one, I was fearing the community has had enough of me for a bit so in a couple of weeks i rek, thanks tania

[@feliciadale1740]

@@nigeleaton1 Not too much at all! I third the request, and thank you for this video, too. So much useful information!

[@nigeleaton1]

done

[@dosquinzets]

Uff !!

[@sekarenggal6305]

Thank you so much for this fascinating information. Is the (brilliant!) double keyboard something your dad came up with, or are there historical examples?

[@nigeleaton1]

it's very similar to a nykelharpa system, but adapted for use with a wheel, yes dad did design this adaption because the nykelharpa system can't work as nicely as dads version. it's complex to explain but the important aspect is that with dads design the keys push the string "around" the wheels edge, the string follows the curve so the pressure on the wheel is constant

[@sekarenggal6305]

@@nigeleaton1 Thank you for the explanation. Intriguing stuff! So do the tangents pivot somehow, to follow the curve, rather than just slide? I need to take a close look at a nykelharpa. Were many other hurdy-gurdies made with two keyboards?

[@Rivers256]

Hi there! Is it possible to have a Hurdy Gurdy with a melody string that sounds as low as the lowest bass drone? Or would the thickness of the string cause it to sound odd when played with the keys? I know the keys are usually used to play higher notes for the melody, but I imagine owning a different setup that I've yet to see, something where you can play a melody similar to a Cello/Bass Drone for one string, and higher with the other two. I'd love to know if/why this is simply impossible or impractical. Thanks for your videos!

[@nigeleaton1]

some plyers get down to the c below mid c, but lower than that? I don't know, best join hurdy gurdy community on fb, they know everything

[@rixyarbrough1702]

I love your work Nigel, and although I'm sure the question has already been answered, where did you get your instruments?

[@nigeleaton1]

the first one is made by the Pajot Jeune workshop around 1900, the second dark one is made by my dad Chris Eaton, he made 20 double keyboard versions but he's retired now unfortunately

[@rixyarbrough1702]

​@@nigeleaton1 Thanks for the reply, Nigel. Do you know of any modern luthiers you could recommend?

[@nigeleaton1]

@@rixyarbrough1702 several, where do you live and whats your budget?

[@rixyarbrough1702]

​@@nigeleaton1 Massachusetts USA, probably wouldn't want to spend over 3k

[@nigeleaton1]

@@rixyarbrough1702 for this budget id recommend robert mandel or joel traunecker or Philippe mousnier or Chris allen (and sabina kormelo) robert would have the shortest wait time, avoid the current maker operating in the USA who shall remain nameless