Early America has such a rich tapestry of history in music and instruments, many home made as well as imported. So it is good to see them kept alive. Their faith and hope in God during these pioneering days was everything, music playing an integral part. As someone who is not American, I have always found this a great inspiration.
It's great to hear from you. I also have a profound respect for the pioneers of that era, exploring and living the spirit of adventure and exploration. It wasn't until I grew into my 30s that I understood the lasting effect and influence that pioneering spirit still has on California.
@@MountainHomeJerrel That's interesting, one imagines so much lost in history might be forgotten or taken for granted. The pioneers and early American settlers were so resilient and enterprising, it's humbling to think what was created! I last visited America 54 years ago! That was mainly New York and New England. Everyone so polite and hospitable I have never forgotten.
Really exciting project. I dig the idea of releasing plans as well. It would be cool if you could provide sample packs or VSTs so that modern digital musicians can get a taste of this too. Musicians would be a big part of the audience after all. I hope you can find some collaborators with a music history background too.
That's a great idea. I've never created a VST but now that you say that, I will look into it. I use plenty of VSTs in my line of work so I totally understand the appeal.
Why were they wiped from history at the turn of the century? I’m very interested in this project. I believe my father (who was a historian and conservator) might have a few of these as “wall art”. I’ll check with him. Great work!
@@R0ckerb0y I am collecting more sources that I can cite and will present my findings in a documentary which I will score myself using the very instruments that were erased from history. I want to present as much information and sources as possible with hopes that other people can share any bits kf information they may have and contribute to the conversation as well. It has to do with the anti-German sentiment in the US in response to WWI.
@@MountainHomeJerrel I just picked up a Franz Schwarzer concert zither 1894 off eBay. I loved the sound of yours. Are there any reading materials on them? I’ll start by ear. Where do you get your strings?
@@R0ckerb0y congratulations!! Because concert zithers are primarily an alpine German instrument, it is hard to find resources for information in English. I hope I can contribute and help people find more information on that. I've actually used Mandolin strings for the fretted portion but I don't know where to get strings for the chord and bass strings. I need help from a German person who has experience with these.
In addition to the table violin, were there table violas and table cellos? I have heard the autoharp called "a zither with training wheels." The solo from Strauss' "Tales from the Vienna Woods" is sometimes played on a zither or on a mandolin. I don't know which was Strauss' intent.
@@brucealanwilson4121 I have neither seen nor heard of table violas or table cellos. The table violin doesn't seem to be created for classical music, but rather for more informal music, such as playing music in social environments like the pub. The fretboard configuration is like that of the German Zither, which leads me to believe it was meant to be used in the same environments. The autoharp being called a "zither with training wheels" is a description that comes from people who do not understand the autoharp at all. Having the chords formed by pressing a button doesn't just make the instrument "easy"; it opens up the player to focus on complex finger picking patterns across the strings. It doesn't do what German, chord, or other old time Zithers do, and vice versa. My hope is by making and sharing more videos, I can help show people the appeal and unique utility of all these instruments.
@MountainHomeJerrel Despite not being authentic to the period, it would be interesting if some luthier were to experiment with making a table viola or table cello. I'd certainly be interested in hearing them, at least. Ever heard of a "chincello"? It is a viola tuned an octave lower; something more portable on which to play the 'cello part. I've even seen kits advertised to turn a viola into a chincello.
One of my favourite melodies.
It has grown to become one of my favourites as well.
This is so cool. Thank you for doing this!
Thanks for watching and enjoying. I've got heaps more videos, music, and information coming soon.
Early America has such a rich tapestry of history in music and instruments, many home made as well as imported. So it is good to see them kept alive.
Their faith and hope in God during these pioneering days was everything, music playing an integral part. As someone who is not American, I have always found this a great inspiration.
It's great to hear from you. I also have a profound respect for the pioneers of that era, exploring and living the spirit of adventure and exploration. It wasn't until I grew into my 30s that I understood the lasting effect and influence that pioneering spirit still has on California.
@@MountainHomeJerrel That's interesting, one imagines so much lost in history might be forgotten or taken for granted. The pioneers and early American settlers were so resilient and enterprising, it's humbling to think what was created!
I last visited America 54 years ago! That was mainly New York and New England. Everyone so polite and hospitable I have never forgotten.
Really exciting project. I dig the idea of releasing plans as well. It would be cool if you could provide sample packs or VSTs so that modern digital musicians can get a taste of this too. Musicians would be a big part of the audience after all. I hope you can find some collaborators with a music history background too.
That's a great idea. I've never created a VST but now that you say that, I will look into it. I use plenty of VSTs in my line of work so I totally understand the appeal.
Why were they wiped from history at the turn of the century?
I’m very interested in this project. I believe my father (who was a historian and conservator) might have a few of these as “wall art”.
I’ll check with him.
Great work!
@@R0ckerb0y I am collecting more sources that I can cite and will present my findings in a documentary which I will score myself using the very instruments that were erased from history. I want to present as much information and sources as possible with hopes that other people can share any bits kf information they may have and contribute to the conversation as well. It has to do with the anti-German sentiment in the US in response to WWI.
@@MountainHomeJerrel
I just picked up a Franz Schwarzer concert zither 1894 off eBay. I loved the sound of yours. Are there any reading materials on them?
I’ll start by ear. Where do you get your strings?
@@R0ckerb0y congratulations!! Because concert zithers are primarily an alpine German instrument, it is hard to find resources for information in English. I hope I can contribute and help people find more information on that. I've actually used Mandolin strings for the fretted portion but I don't know where to get strings for the chord and bass strings. I need help from a German person who has experience with these.
In addition to the table violin, were there table violas and table cellos?
I have heard the autoharp called "a zither with training wheels."
The solo from Strauss' "Tales from the Vienna Woods" is sometimes played on a zither or on a mandolin. I don't know which was Strauss' intent.
@@brucealanwilson4121 I have neither seen nor heard of table violas or table cellos. The table violin doesn't seem to be created for classical music, but rather for more informal music, such as playing music in social environments like the pub. The fretboard configuration is like that of the German Zither, which leads me to believe it was meant to be used in the same environments.
The autoharp being called a "zither with training wheels" is a description that comes from people who do not understand the autoharp at all. Having the chords formed by pressing a button doesn't just make the instrument "easy"; it opens up the player to focus on complex finger picking patterns across the strings. It doesn't do what German, chord, or other old time Zithers do, and vice versa. My hope is by making and sharing more videos, I can help show people the appeal and unique utility of all these instruments.
@@MountainHomeJerrel Thanks for the clarification.
@MountainHomeJerrel Despite not being authentic to the period, it would be interesting if some luthier were to experiment with making a table viola or table cello. I'd certainly be interested in hearing them, at least.
Ever heard of a "chincello"? It is a viola tuned an octave lower; something more portable on which to play the 'cello part. I've even seen kits advertised to turn a viola into a chincello.