"The Fairy Dance" played on the jouhikko

"The Fairy Dance" by Nathaniel Gow, composed in 1802 for the Fife Hunt Ball. This jouhikko was made by Simon Chadwick in 2008. It has 2 black horsehair strings. See http://www.simonchadwick.net/jouhikko/ for more info

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jouhikko
• bowed lyre
• horsehair
• crwth

[livinginthepast3]

are you sounding notes with the back of your fingers pressed against the melody string? Very nice video.. Thanks for posting.

[simonmchadwick]

@livinginthepast3 That is correct. Thanks for your comment!

[livinginthepast3]

@simonmchadwick Well, sir, you've inspired me to attempt to build one. I'll probably build a prototype out of scrap yard pine. Are the strings made of horse hair?

[simonmchadwick]

@livinginthepast3 Pine is a good timber to use, and the aesthetic of these instruments is to do it at home using simple hand tools - not fine luthiery but more like cottage handcrafts. Yes the strings are bundles of black horsehair, knotted at one end, damped, combed, knotted and twisted in situ on the instrument. There's a link to my website on the video description where there's a little more info and photos of this instrument and how it was made.

[livinginthepast3]

@simonmchadwick Well, after being inspired by your vid, I finally have a prototype jouhikko that is just about ready to string. It's a little smaller (shorter) than I intended, but I'm hoping this won't affect playability. I'm writing to ask for your assistance in helping me understand how to gauge the strings. Can you say approximately how many strands of horse hair goes into a single string? Thank you!

[simonmchadwick]

@livinginthepast3 The two strings are of black horsehair, 30 strands on the upper melody string, and 25 on the lower drone string. Knot one end of the bundle in a, overhand knot, attach to the tailstick with a "larkshead" knot, damp & comb the hair with an ordinary comb, then knot the other end (hopefully now all the hairs are taught and none are loose). Then twist the bundle up, and finally slot the end of the string into the tuning pin and wind it up. It must be dry before coming up to pitch.

[simonmchadwick]

@livinginthepast3 Length - you can place the bridge higher or lower on the soundboard to change the sounding length of the strings. If the string is shorter than mine then the pitch will be a bit higher.

[vinstrumentals]

Love this instrument. Thanks

[simonmchadwick]

@TanteA Thanks for your comment!

[TanteA]

Oh what an interesting instrument. I have never seen it before. I am very interested in folk instruments and so I am glad that I found your vid.

Nice greetings from Anette