Showing posts with label Bryan Tolley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bryan Tolley. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2014

Medieval Symphony by Bryan Tolley


  ▶ Medieval Symphony by Bryan Tolley - YouTube

This short video demonstrates a medieval symphony made by Bryan Tolley. This simple instrument has been redesigned by Bryan to include some unique features that offer the musician several scales (or modes) in spite of a diatonic keyboard, and also a relatively loud voice from a single melody string.



via Bryan Tolley -
I have recently made a series of medieval symphonies that were designed as less expensive alternative to the walnut and boxwood models that I usually produce. These new instruments have some very original feature
s that I'll certainly consider adding to all my symphonies from now on. Please don't be put off by what appears to be a diatonic keyboard; this colourful box can play in several modes and scales and it puts out quite a sound! For anyone interested, the links below will give further details and there's also a brief demonstration video of the instrument. The symphony comes with a lined wooden case and strap for 1000€ plus postage. At present, there's only a yellow/black instrument remaining, but if that colour doesn't suit you other symphonies can be built to order.




Atelier Bryan Tolley





Symphony Information





see also: Hurdy Gurdy Weekly • #HGWeekly: Medieval Hurdy Gurdy by Bryan Tolley


Friday, September 26, 2014

Medieval Hurdy Gurdy by Bryan Tolley

submitted by Bryan Tolley



Those of you interested in early music might be interested in the medieval hurdy-gurdy I have been building recently. It is based on an illustration from the Rutland Psalter (c.1250) that shows King David playing an organ; beside the king there's another musician with an early hurdy-gurdy (or possibly a small organistrum). I've made drawings based on the proportions from the illustration, and two instruments have been built.





The three strings have been arranged as two chanterelles and a drone (a single chanterelle proved too feeble), and the drone has been fitted with capos to allow three tones. The instruments are from maple and I couldn't resist the blue and white decoration. If you want further details then look on the medieval hurdy-gurdy page of my web site.






If you're interested in the medieval hurdy-gurdy then there's a couple of videos on You Tube to describe the instrument. They are in English but when I have time I'll make a French version for those who can't understand this gibberish. The two links are [attached] below.


▶ Medieval hurdy-gurdy reconstructed from the Rutland Psalter c.1250 - YouTube


▶ Medieval hurdy-gurdy reconstructed from the Rutland Psalter c.1250 - YouTube


Just a footnote concerning the medieval hurdy-gurdy. The keyboards are chromatic; I know this isn't the same as the instrument shown in the illustration but the most musicians want this to ensure that any tune can be played. Secondly, the tuners are mechanical. Sorry, another modern convenience. They could be changed for regular tapered pegs but you'd probably spend more time keeping the gut strings in tune than turning the crank.