Study guide for: Educational
Concerts
The Accordion
was first patented by a Viennese instrument
maker in 1829.
It has two (or more) sets of metal reeds which are mounted on the
opposite ends of the bellows. Basses and
chords are played on the left hand side, and the melody on the right. There are
two main styles of accordions: button and piano accordions; and a number of
lesser known versions such as the bandoneon, bayan, concertina, etc.
Alpine Bells
are tuned miniature cow bells.
Country of origin: Austria.
These bells are used by rural folk groups to play
simple melodies, mostly in the alpine regions of Austria, Bavaria and
Switzerland.
Autoharp
Country of origin:
U.S.
Supposedly designed in 1881 by a German immigrant, Charles Zimmermann
(there is some dispute), in
Philadelphia; the autoharp is a simplified version of an
alpine instrument (the zither) from Central Europe. A muting device for
unwanted sounds (felt dampers) makes playing the autoharp very easy. It is used
for song accompaniment and, with some practice, for melody playing as well.
Balalaika
Country of origin: Russia.
The balalaika has 3 strings, two of which are tuned in unison, although
sometimes an octave apart: E-E-A (from bottom to top). It can be played with
bare fingers or with a flat pick, and it produces a sound similar to that of a
mandolin. The balalaika is easily identified by the distinct triangular shape of
its body.
Banjo
Country of origin: Africa,
United States.
The instrument was initially brought over by black slaves in its
original version (body made of gourd, very few strings, no standard tuning). It
was later refined and improved, and has become the American instrument as
we know it today. The body of the banjo is constructed like that of a drum with
the addition of a tone ring made from metal alloy. Two main styles
evolved: the 4-string banjo (tenor and plectrum) and the 5-string banjo.
Bouzouki
Country of origin: Greece.
Number of strings: 8 ( 4 pairs). The bouzouki
is a cousin of the mandolin, but with a longer neck and a different tuning:
C-F-A-D (from bottom to top). The typical Greek playing style is marked by a
liberal use of grace notes. The bouzouki has a become a favorite with celtic
musicians who have created a new niche for the instrument.
Appalachian Dulcimer
Country of
origin: Appalachian Mountains, Eastern U.S.
Forerunners of the dulcimer can be found in Central and Northern Europe. Number
of strings: 3, sometimes 4. Two of its strings are drone strings; the melody is
played on the first string with the help of a little wooden stick called a noter.
The dulcimer's tuning varies depending on the key and on the mode (major or
minor) of the song that is being played.
Guitar
Country of origin: Spain.
Number of
strings: 6, sometimes 12. The Spaniards took their national instrument on all
their sea-going expeditions and introduced it to all the countries they visited,
from North Africa to North and South America and even the Philippines. It has
become the most widely used stringed instrument in the world.
Little known outside of Central Europe is the Contra-Guitar (sometimes
called "Harp Guitar" in English). Country of origin: Austria. Number
of strings: 13 - 15. In addition to the 6 strings on the normal neck the
instrument has 7 (sometimes 9) bass strings on a second neck. It was, and still
is, used by small ensembles to compensate for the lack of a double bass.
The Harmonica works on the same principle as the
accordion, but only has one reed block. Instead of having bellows, the air to
vibrate the reeds is produced by blowing into the instrument. It is mainly used
for melody playing, although there are some larger versions of it for
accompaniment and even for playing bass.
Celtic Harp
Country of
origin: Ireland.
The harp is certainly the oldest stringed instrument and
forerunners of it existed in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It was,
however, during medieval times in Ireland that the harp was brought into its
present shape. It was used so widely that it became that country's national
instrument and symbol. The Irish or Celtic Harp has between 30 and 40 strings
depending on its size. It is a diatonic instrument; halftones can be produced by
switching a lever located at the top end of each string.
The Hurdy Gurdy
is from Eastern
Europe. Country of origin: unknown.
This particular one was made in Ukraine.
Called Lira in Ukrainian, Leier in German, and Vielle a Roue
in French it was at one time
popular all over Europe, played mostly by street musicians. It has two drone
strings and one melody string which is agitated by the turning of a wooden wheel
that rubs against it.
Mandolin. Country of origin: Italy.
Number of
strings: 8. The tuning of a mandolin is identical to that of a violin, except
that its strings are arranged in 4 pairs. The Italian style of playing makes
heavy use of tremolos. The instrument is also very popular in bluegrass music,
where it is used for chording and for playing runs of single notes in rapid
succession.
Ukulele is a Hawaiian word meaning "jumping
flea".
The instrument was brought to the islands by the Portuguese who
landed there in 1879. The actual instrument they had along was the braguinha
(from the Portuguese island of Madeira), but they started making ukuleles soon
after their arrival. It is a small, guitar shaped instrument with four strings
that are tuned like the upper four strings of a guitar, but higher. Ukuleles
come in four sizes: soprano (standard), concert, tenor and baritone. They are
usually strummed with bare fingers.
