Some thoughts on playing the taglharpa

Advices from a non expert - Still learning.

[@rattacatt6779]

What a nice, wholesome man talking about something he loves to help other people, despite even a language barrier. Thank you very much!

[@markschlipper5129]

Technical note about horsehair vs. synthetic... part of why hair works "better" - especially when it comes to bows - is because hair is coated in scales, like a microscopic fish skin. As such, there's a texture to it that gives it better purchase on what you're rubbing it against. Synthetics are smooth, so there's less friction. Think of it like walking on ice - much easier in shoes with lugged or cleated soles than with smooth soles. With a hair bow and hair strings, the friction level is maximized, so the strings will more easily and consistantly actuate. Similarly, because of the scales and pourous nature of hair, rosin (resin) will stick to it more consistently and for longer. Whereas that smooth nature of synthetics will allow it to be 'scraped' off, as there's nothing for it to cling to.

[@megantrish8450]

Thank you for this video. It was nice to be able to hear the difference between horse hair and nylon one after the other. I've been doing research while impatiently waiting for my own instrument to arrive, I'm glad to have come across your channel. I never would have thought to resin the strings, but it really makes a difference. Take care!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Thank you for the tips. Your teaching style is so smooth and clear and personable, and your speech is delightfully slow and crisp. A very peaceful video to listen to before sleep. The Talharp is nicely soothing too.

[@KeithOSullivanmusic]

Thank you for the tips, I am at the beginning of the learning process on my own Taglharpa. I appreciate any advice that I can get. Keep up the great work Espen, best wishes for 2018.

[@espenwinther9065]

Thank you, Keith!

[@Bee-tg3un]

Beautiful instrument. Thank you for sharing!

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Thanks!

[@NiveusCornix]

After this video, now I really want to buy one of these instruments. I am by no means a musician and I can't read notes, so videos like these I could learn from if I bought an instrument.

[@espenwinther9065]

Thank you

[@Dea_Decay]

Thank you for the advice! I just got a bass talharpa a few months ago and will try your advice!

[@Kate-qu2rw]

Recently I bought a tagelharpa as I love how it sounds and I wanted to finally learn some music in my life. I'm so glad I found your video, I was worried I wouldn't get to know how should I hold the bow and if I put too much resin but I'll adjust to your advices and hopefully will be able to play something. Getting into more, shall I say, raw side of music feels really exciting!

[@TavernierTube]

Thank you very much! I forgot to put rosin on the strings of the instrument..

[@StarshipTrooper4231]

Well you certainly not need that. Not at all.

[@FiikusMaximus]

@@StarshipTrooper4231 sometimes you do. It depends on how good your tagelharpa is or what kind strings you use

[@StarshipTrooper4231]

@@FiikusMaximus I've used viola, horse hair and fishing line. You don't need it.

[@FiikusMaximus]

@@StarshipTrooper4231 I've used fishing line too and it was certainly needed. It sounded awful without it and could really produce a proper note. It sounded a lot better after applying the rosin. So I don't know if we did something differently, but rosin on the strings can definitely help. I also used violin strings and it sounded OK without it.

[@whateversmurfette]

i'm new at hair strings and had i not watched his video i wouldnt have known..lots of bad words would have been in the air LOL

[@NodakKid83]

I want one so bad! Good job as well, I like the sound it gives off👍

[@spiritualspeakeasy]

Besides providing wonderful and inspiring music with Eldrim, you also inspired me to be a little more liberal with the rosin on my strings. I recently received my very own and beautifully made Tagelharpa but have struggled with it over the last two weeks thinking something was either wrong with me or wrong with the instrument! Thanks to your expert guidance, I’m now able wave goodbye to the sounds of two cats fighting and instead, hear those beautiful sounds a Tagelharpa should produce. All I have to do now is begin mastering the notes. Thank you so much. 👍🙏

[@neralodinson2742]

ELDRIM Thank you. Your advices was helpful to me too!. i never put rosin on the string and i try it . It made a difference! I found so little information about them. I made a tagelharpa(3strings). and then 2 jouhikko (2 strings) each(horse hair 35horsehair per strings). Inspired by gnaal and some others video... I enjoy woodworking and every band who has a tagelharpa/jouhikko in it! This sound is so profound and hypnotic i decided to try it! And made some artistic touchs of my own to my instrument. So this video helped me to give a brighter sound to my tagelharpa thanks

[@espenwinther9065]

Thank you! More videos will come.

[@diegowalterbedaukas5720]

Very insightful, Thanks much 🙏

[@TheMacronist]

THX for that great advice!

[@AdamStJamesStJames]

Espen, thank you for the music and your thoughts on the instrument. I have a question... did you design and build the one you used in the Gnaal video? I would love to hear your opinions on optimal wood types and dimensions and how these factors affect the tonal quality of the music. Thanks for your time!

[@bearshield7138]

I found this very helpful Thank you

[@susannewilliams]

Thank you! I learn.

[@nitnickers]

Thankyou... Just got myself a talharpa.. an same as you the nylon strings effect my ears haha

[@nikburisson9-pissedoffpeasant-]

Hello Espen. Tusen Takk. for sharing your wisdom. I am hoping you can make a video explaining how to pronounce names(song names) and a little information about the songs.

[@ELDRIMmusic]

That could be possible :)

[@samueloddamo968]

Great job! I would like a lot to see more videos like this. Maybe you can make videos on how to build theese instrument or video that just explain your songs. I'm sure a lot of us would love that!

[@espenwinther9065]

Thank you! I will make a video on what kind of wood to use and one video on how to make a lyre or taglharpa.

[@rolsen1304]

Ser fram til flere videoer! Kanskje du vet litt om hvilke dimensjoner som gir best resonans?

[@gearhead1234]

Thank you for the interesting video! I love the ancient haunting sound the taglharpe produces, and you play it so well! It stirs my Germanic ancestral soul 😄 Cheers from USA! 🍻

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Thank you!

[@whateversmurfette]

i love the look on your face when you're annoyed by nylon strings! thank you for this video, i just made my first taglharpa and it is more of a baritone/bass, i'm not sure how i should tune it because most suggestions are for higher pitches, but other than that it is my favorite instrument.

[@Epic501]

You can just follow the same tuning suggestions in an octave or two below, if that doesn't work for your strings then it doesn't really matter what the notes are, tune them to the best tension for your taglharpa and just keep the relationship between the notes the same, assuming you aren't playing along with higher instruments already.

[@erickdavidgutierrezcubillo1502]

I reeeally want to learn how to play this awesome instrument, I live in Colombia and I don't find someone who teaches it here. What can you advice me, and also where to get one

[@lydiasmith7274]

Hello thank you so much for your videos 😊 iv watched them over an over again haha do you think you can make a video on setting up the instrument an tuning it , I can't find anything on it 🙄

[@stephend50]

As a violinist, we put rosin on the bow, and only enough to give a good sound. But that's with gut, metal, and metal wound strings

[@Xelaju2013]

Very interesting, I am not a musician but I watched it to the end anyways! Good job!

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Thank you :)

[@odinallfather4560]

Thanks for the information, hopefully soon I will be able to build my own taglharpa. Any advice on how to go about the design and materials?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

If you want a historically correct instrument i think you need to do some research. There are lots of information to find if you google. I like designing my own instruments - both for better sound and because i like having something unike. When it comes to materials i would choose spruce for body and some hardwood for the hardware.

[@roxanneaspogard1327]

Jätte kul Eldrim! hälsa från Sverige...:-)

[@shieldmaidengaming-ameliat2560]

Legend thank you

[@KaiUchihaMuodaFoka]

I love what you do. I wish you would make a video tutorial how to make jouhikko one day. :)

[@espenwinther9065]

I will. And thank you!

[@mr.mcloremcclure2522]

Very helpful! Thank you. I cannot afford a 500 dollar Jouhikko so I am making my own. This is important to me!

[@ChasingDragons420]

I was thinking about buying a jouhikko. I've never not come across one with a neck though, is it easier to play?

[@jordannnaji5350]

Hey, I just recently found out about this instrument and I would love to learn how to play it, I was wondering if you know any book, website or youtube channel that teaches how to play?

[@user-yc6hn3gm6z]

interesting video! more of them :)

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I'll see what I can do :)

[@elmatadores6798]

4:43 i love

[@robabnawaz]

Wow, great idea to have a slightly fiddle-shaped tagelharpa. And the sound is still the same. The second instrument is from vietnam?

[@markforster-king4465]

Hey Espen, great informative video...well done....I agree that the totally synthetic strings sound horrible and there are as you point out,also disadvantages with the pure Horse hair as well...I wonder what a hybrid bow, with horse hair and synthetic would sound like? Regards Mark

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I have not tried synthetic bows, but i've found that bows with black hair makes the strings sing easier and louder than the ones with white hair.

[@StarshipTrooper4231]

I have synthetic strings on one of my bowed lyres. I beg to differ and don't think they sound horrible. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnLQd4pvj8h0eJI You can use fishing line as material for your bow. It works great. But I prefer the horse hair.

[@MrUofreak]

Hey Eldrim, thank you for your advices. Did you weave the horse hairs to prepare them to be a string? Can you tell us some more information about you handle the strings?( how many hairs, weaving?spinning? dont know 😁) Thanks in advance!

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Hi! I just gathered the hairs, combed them and twisted them into a string. Then i made a knot in the end (to fit the fine tuners). Be sure that all hairs are evenly tight before making a knot in the other end. I'm not really sure how many hairs in each string. I just guessed what would work, and it did :) I might make a video on this later. I think maybe Mikael J.King has a video on strings.

[@xlu125]

Do horse hair strings on the instrument also need to be parallel? Thanks for your thoughts.

[@randreas69]

My cousin got the bow "streams" crossed. Careful when applying dark antimatter. 😀

[@kiwiwuey]

Great video. But then how do i learn more, cant find deeper info, where to find the songs how to play them etc.. does it make sence?

[@holysecret2]

I don't even own a Taglharpa, but very interesting ^^ 5:45 I agree the sound hurts in the ears

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

Try nylon on your bow with nylon strings (and rosin the strings up before playing) - it will get rid of that high pitched shrill skittering sound.

[@TheLordReverend]

Thank you sir could we get a more in-depth look into making one frome scratch and historically accurate? Thanks again brother you are an inspiration!

[@espenwinther9065]

Thank you! I had some plans on making historically correct copies, but i'd rather have my own design on the instruments i play myself. That way i get closer to the sound i want. I might do some historical instruments on a later point, but for now i concentrate on making what i need. But i plan to make videos on what materials to choose when building instruments in general.

[@TheLordReverend]

Espen Winther sounds just as cool man i look forward to it! Thank you again i love your videos

[@matthewharvey8755]

I just got my resin and hair in 😁 I'm going to try using American wild black cherry for the soundbox, pecan for the body/neck?

[@matthewharvey8755]

What woods do you use?

[@Nevatis_]

About what gauge should I look for in the strings?

[@impendingdoom7920]

FYI it's better not to apply rosin directly to the strings since you could possibly damage them. Instead, put rosin on the bow and bow your strings in between to let it rub off.

[@amyring9025]

Ok, one more question about how many strings do you use of the Dacron B-50 or is it a single string because I have no clue.

[@user-yh4zm4td8z]

Is there a specific rosin that I need?

[@jonmurphy3398]

Hi,just need to know,how many horse hairs for each string,thanks.

[@johntyler2508]

What is the second instrument?

[@VeronaPI]

I built a taglharpa a few years ago based on plans online and structurally it came out damn good.. I built two bows very similar to yours from poplar.. so aside from issues with a poor choice tuning knob design....what do you recommend for twisting strings? how many per string,? and how many twists? and recommendations for the bow...

[@VeronaPI]

correction...how many horse hair per string, how many twists? and the proper amount of hair per bow? sorry

[@Steveductions]

What's a good "standard" tuning for a 3 stringed lyre?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I like tuning 3-stringed lyres with an octave between the deepest and the brightest string. Example: B(deep) - F# - B

[@KREIVmusic]

Hi what is the tune in this instruments?

[@pauliuschockevicius4082]

hey, I have kantele of 9 strings, what tuning would you suggest for each string to have the sound of nordic/viking music?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Nobody knows what "viking music" sounded like or how their instruments were tuned. We make music to try to recreate a feeling and bring to life pictures we have in our minds. Our lyres are tuned in A, B, C#, D, E, F# and that seem to work fine for us. There is found a pan-flute in York that has similar tuning: www.panflutejedi.com/viking-pan-flute-tutorial.html

[@SeventhGate008]

what are your thoughts on using gut string instead of horse?

[@Gryfder]

Sounds like a Chinese Zhonghu! I'm a Zhonghu player my school Chinese Orchestra, love from Singapore!

[@martindesantiago6508]

Nice video

[@espenwinther9065]

Thanks!

[@travisbristow7407]

When did you start playing with the Taglharpa? and do you have a recommendation on where to buy one or a good direction on what to look up to build one and which I should do?

[@sycopath5774]

I just gathered up scrap wood and built mine.

[@Erykfib]

@@sycopath5774 how long did it take?

[@sycopath5774]

@@Erykfib a couple of days after work.

[@Erykfib]

@@sycopath5774 Thanks!

[@sycopath5774]

@@Erykfib ur welcome. I've tuned to c g c on nylon twine. The strings need to be rosined as does the bow. The plans came from watching utube taglharpa vids. Good luck with it's.

[@varulvaustria]

hey there! where can i buy the " resin" you use in the video? greetings from austria!

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Hi! I bought in a normal music store. You can find lots of resin on eBay.

[@meekalefox2703]

Does your tattoo say "Kafangr", and are any of those kauns a G?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

SKUKAFANKR (SKUGAFANGR) Skuga (skygge) = shadow Fangr (fanger) = catcher Shadow catcher (Because I am a photographer)

[@meekalefox2703]

ELDRIM that’s awesome!

[@diablo_4x4]

Hello! What is the name of the other stringed instrument you play here? Thank you!

[@gillwalton2316]

if you search bass jouhikko on youtube you should get plenty of results

[@groundpounder8855]

Where you find the rosin? Excellent information thanks for sharing

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I buy resin at any musical instrument shop.

[@groundpounder8855]

ELDRIM thank you

[@cryoanubis]

Second question(sorry) for the Tagelharpa does the order of strings matter?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Not really. Whatever you feel is more comfortable :)

[@EricSwanson1]

Kaffe er alltid god 😁

[@PalmettoNDN]

"Non-expert". Bullshit! Encore, Maestro!

[@katiaeleonor6364]

How did you tune your 2 string? :)

[@rodrigo-sama7354]

hello sir would you teach me how to tune it? greetings from chile

[@Bryan-jm4uc]

C G C G(octave lower from first G)

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

@@Bryan-jm4uc Or CGG, CCG depending on number of strings. Based on archeological finds however I suspect we are stringing them and playing them the wrong way. The earliest engraving he looks like he's merely 'holding' the instrument. And that is what many archeologists assumed. Then I saw a child trying to play. He had tuned it the wrong way around because he wasn't a string player and programmed to string the way we do, and held it by the limb that in almost every find is curved or more rounded to look like a comfortable handle spot, and used the backs of his fingers to play. I truly suspect this is how the instrument was played in the period and we're tuning them the wrong way around.

[@cryoanubis]

What is the name of the instrument with the nylon strings that you pluck?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I think it's a Vietnamese Dan Sen

[@Caligari...]

On your video about switching to archery line on your Tegelharpa , you said that you used B 50 Dacron archery line . I am trying to find this product is that actual bow string line ? it seems to be 35 lb test ,is that the stuff ? 7 , 9 and 11 are the number of raps on the three strings right ?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

brownellarchery.com/product/b50-bowstring/

[@alanmichelena6974]

Which type of wood should i use for the instrument?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

The best wood for the soundboard is spruce. You can use spruce to build the whole instrument.

[@alanmichelena6974]

ELDRIM thank you, yours sounds beautiful!

[@amyring9025]

Hi , I have a friend who is making me a taglharpa,but if not able to use horse hair, what would you recommend for the strings and bow?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I have changed from horse hair to B50 Dacron (bow string) on all my taglharpas. It sounds good and it keeps the tuning much better.

[@amyring9025]

@@ELDRIMmusic Thank you so much. How is the best way for me to share a photo of it with you when it is finished? Oh, is it bow as in bow and arrow string ? Do you use the same for your bow to play the taglharpa? I am sooo excited that I am going to have a taglharpa

[@rachaeljohnson3579]

I have just finished making my own taglharpa and because horse hair string are so hard to get a hold of in New Zealand for a cheap price I had opted to use synthetic strings. My issue is when I place my knuckle or fingertip against the 3rd string, I cannot get it to make a loud enough sound, my fingers are stopping the vibrations. Do you have any advice?

[@espenwinther9065]

How deep is your taglharpa tuned?

[@rachaeljohnson3579]

Espen Winther i have it tuned EAD

[@rachaeljohnson3579]

I should also mention that I am trying to play it with a straight violin bow instead of a curved horse hair bow.

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I have found that bows with black natural hair is better than the ones with white hair. eBay is a good advice for buying hair :) I have found that it's harder to get deep tuned strings to sing, but they will come around if you play your instrument a lot. I use the inside of the first joint on my fingers to touch the strings when i play. I don't know if that is the "right" way, but it works for me.

[@rachaeljohnson3579]

ELDRIM Thank you! I will have a look on eBay. In the meantime I will keep on practicing ☺

[@johnjoyner8172]

Where can I buy resin and do you use resin with nylon strings ?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

I buy my resin at the local instrument store. Resin must be used on any bowed instrument.

[@grahammoulton3374]

What am I doing wrong. On the jouhikkos that I have made my horse hair bow is not reacting with my nylon strings. Did I forget something in the building of the instrument?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Is there somewhere (online) your instruments can be seen? Have you tried moving the bridge? What about resin? How close to the bridge are you stroking the strings?

[@grahammoulton3374]

ELDRIM kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpfNfpxmlNCdrZo yeah, I used this general design. I don't have any resin, strings are very close, moving the bridge does not help

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Ahh! You must have resin! You can buy it in any musical instruments store :)

[@grahammoulton3374]

ELDRIM okay, thank you! I will try that

[@amyring9025]

Me again,do you still apply rosin on the B50 Dacron?

[@espenwinther9065]

Yes

[@amyring9025]

@@espenwinther9065 Thanks🤩😊

[@frankwilliam3777]

what is that nylon instrument called?

[@ELDRIMmusic]

It is a Qinqin. Chinese.

[@stefanSS1480]

You look exactly like King Harold from Vikings

[@matthewharvey8755]

Nylon are most definately better for plucking!

[@Buyniy9670]

Hi there, guys! I want to ask u very important think. I want to buy something like jouhikko/taglharp. Can u recommend for me some good master or forum where I can find it? Thx!

[@ELDRIMmusic]

If you're on facebook, this is a great place to ask: facebook.com/groups/458771167542016/

[@Buyniy9670]

ELDRIM thx) I try to watch some makers video in you tube , but it’s so terrible sound) I really haven’t idea is it instrument or their hands)

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Maybe i'll try to make a "How to make a taglharpa" video :)

[@Buyniy9670]

ELDRIM it will be amazing because one man in Ukraine ask 300$ for it and I think it’s little a bit expensive)

[@ELDRIMmusic]

300$ is actually not so bad, conscidering the time it takes to make one, but it is lots of money. That's why we make them ourself. We can't afford to pay what they are worth :)

[@Artyom471]

Hello, new Tagelharpa player here :) Great tip with the darker rosin, I'll have to try that. I've noticed a trend with having the third string made of gut, and the others horse hair. Can you explain this? Does it make the melody string sing louder?

[@espenwinther9065]

I have not tried gut strings, so i don't know.

[@jayjay2x417]

Härliga instrument men bäst att spela utanför eller i störe localer om man ska säga så men dom väker en sån stor kännsla inom sig. (Translation) Wonderful instruments but its best to play out doors or in bigger premises (sorry for my swedish tho its been a very long time since i have ever spoken my native language online anyway)

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

Yes, natural products are usually better!

[@tosiakluszewska7357]

Who else thinks he is very handsome :))

[@marbellaolvera9340]

helloooo👹

[@cricketol]

make another and return it to do what you want . i understand why it sounds bad. ants got after sugar not salt

[@ELDRIMmusic]

Must be a language barriere in here somewhere. You don't make sense...

[@enesaydin24]

This is alternate version of "Kemençe" from Turkey :))

[@StarshipTrooper4231]

Constructive thoughts and video about bowed lyre? Sure. Let me show you a instrument that isn't even a bowed lyre or a proper bow.

[@espenwinther9065]

The advices still adhere to instruments with horse hair strings. The bow is absolutely proper enough - i have combed the hairs now. But somehow negativity is a strong force in some people....

[@tagelharpist]

@@espenwinther9065 It's not mandatory for a talharpa/jouhikko to have horse hair strings. That does not define the instrument, even considering the name. Most historic records, recordings and picture show that most players used metal/violin strings. Even further back in time they surely used gut more than horse hair. If the instrument have a neck, it's not a talharpa/jouhikko. It has nothing to do with negativity, it's just pointing out facts. :)

[@espenwinther9065]

Tagl=Horse hair (tail) Just pointing out facts...

[@tagelharpist]

@@espenwinther9065 So anything you put horse hair strings on becomes a tagelharpa. Now I know.

[@espenwinther9065]

That's just what I said, wasn't it? No, it wasn't... A bowed lyre without horse hair is a bowed lyre, but if you use tagl strings it may be called a taglharpa. I never call this instrument a taglharpa, but a taglfidlle. Still the advices fits most bowed, instruments with tagl strings.