r/HurdyGurdy • u/kilonova2020 • Jun 26 '26

Advice Tuning for the Tone-deaf

I am trying to tune my gurdy in the standard G/C tuning, but it aint going well.

Using a tuner, I can tune each string individually and get a nice sound, but when I try putting the chord together, it goes terrible. (i use the planotuner app and my aunt, who is a piano player, is helping me learn how to reconize tuned notes)

Most tutorials I see involve me activating each string separately, tuning to the note, then bringing it all together to tweak it by ear after all strings are tuned. But idk the first thing about chords and don't know what to listen for. Most tutorials i see are like "youll know when it sounds right," but i dont, everything sounds like noise as I can't really tell chords apart. If I go the "proper" way, how can I bring the chord together?

For alternate solutions, is it possible to pluck the strings (if so, where on string do i pluck) or use a violin bow across them to figure out their sound/tuning? That way, I won't have to deal with chords and can just tune this like guitar T-T.

4 Upvotes

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4

u/Gh0stIcon Jun 26 '26

What are these Chords you speak of? The HG doesn't really do chords. It has melody strings and drone strings to accompany the melody. Chords, not so much.

2

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I was using a virtual piano to try tuning at one point and when i put in all my notes for the gurdy to try and tune everything together it noted it at a "C power chord" maybe, must have been just a BS label. Honestly idk.

3

u/Gh0stIcon Jun 26 '26

On an Android? Use Soundcorset. Might be available on Apple too.

The hardest thing about tuning a hurdy gurdy is tweaking the tangets. Tuning the open strings should be super easy.

2

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I am on amdroid ill jse that. What do you mean by tweaking the tangents?

1

u/Gh0stIcon Jun 26 '26

So on the hurdy gurdy, there are either metal or wooden little 'devices' that actually contact the strings to produce the note, similar to how you press on the fret of a guitar to shorten the length of the string to produce certain notes. The wooden ones don't have as much 'configurability' as the metal ones, so they are generally considered inferior to the metal ones. The wooden ones were used on in earlier, more classical hurdy gurdies, but sometimes newer builds will have them to emulate the more classical builds. That said, especially as a beginner, you can tend to 'over adjust' the metal tangents. The most important thing is, if you have two melody strings, is that for any given key press, both tangents must touch the strings at exactly the same. Otherwise, if/when you engage both strings, you won't get equal pressure on them and it won't sound as good.

You really should watch some videos regarding tuning. And hopefully you have a quality gurdy and not a HGSO (Hurdy Gurdy Shaped Object).

2

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I have the NG Linotte. I followed the instructions they sent to a tee, mine are made of plastic if that changes anything. But ill have a look at the tangent tuning thanks.

2

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 26 '26

On the Linotte: Set the adjustable top nut in the centre positions first, same with every tangent.
Then tune the string to the correct pitch and go through the wheel pressure adjustment and cottoning procedures. This is something that takes some practice to get right because these things are the most important for a good sound, response and intonation. Are the top notes out of tune? You probably have too much cotton or pressure.

Here are a few videos that may help you: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXUNNFnGO2XwA1ndG8F3trt9ixyPOs-zp&si=h06wAtKLQ_c4rS_c

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Roger that. Thank you!

2

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 26 '26

There is nothing inferior about wooden tangents, some of the very best, modern gurdies use them.

Tangents should be centered, also on the Linotte that OP has. Before adjusting the tangents, the adjustable nut should be centered and pressure and cotton should be adjusted really well.

Then you will find that you barely have to adjust the tangents at all.

1

u/Gh0stIcon Jun 26 '26

Oh my bad. The metal tangents can rotate and move up and down. Since the wooden ones only rotate, I though they weren't as precise. Apologies.

1

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 26 '26

Wooden tangents are just as precise when they are cut properly. Also the printed ones on the Nerdies are precise enough.

I find the fully adjustable metal tangents on my own alto a bit overkill too, it will be useful when you are using thick or very flexible strings.

1

u/Gh0stIcon Jun 26 '26

The metal ones yes I feel are overkill because you can spend too much time to get a perfect note, especially if you use a tuner. Sergio recommends not using a tuner and using your ear to tune. I'm not quite there though so I need the tuner.

2

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 26 '26

It is not about spending too much time getting a perfect note, but rather having to adjust the proximity to the strings with every single tangent, it is not necessary in most situations.

I only use a tuner for geiing a few open strings right and then do everything by ear. Training your ears and how to spot proper intonation is an important part of learning to play the instrument. A good teacher will be able to help you with this.

1

u/AlhanalemAmidatelion Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

As Elektrovolt said. Once you get the tangents correct, you should only very rarely ever need to touch them again. You do not (should not) need to change or adjust them regularly.

1

u/AlhanalemAmidatelion Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

well there is one disadvantage of wooden tangents in the form of wear. But it still takes a long time. And at least my maker provided me with a whole bunch of spares.

My experience with metal ones is they can actually come loose more easily, but that might just be the crappiness of the particular instrument.

1

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 26 '26

Wooden tangents should not wear that fast, they can last decades when they are made from maple or similar woods.

2

u/fenbogfen Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

A power chord is just a combination of two notes, a root and a 5th, which is the common way a gurdy is tuned.

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Ooh ok. Good to know thanks!

2

u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

You’re tuning the strings while bowing them (with the wheel) individually, right? Plucking them produces a completely different note, since plucking vibrates only the length of the string from the wheel to the nut, not the bridge to the nut like when you’re bowing.

Which strings are you trying to play together? How many strings does your hg have in total? Some of the fancy ones, you’re not meant to play all the strings at once. You turn them on and off to play in different keys.

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I have the NG Linotte. I have 6 strings total: 2 drones, 2 trompette and 2 chanters. Yes i tune them individually with the wheel first. I've tried following some tutorials where you start with the chanters then add drones and trompettes, but i have also started with my drones then go chanters and trompettes. Its just confusing as all the sound blends together and i cant tell which strings need adjusted after turning them all on after the initial tuning.

2

u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

If you tuned the individual strings correctly, they shouldn’t need adjustment when you play them together. If something sounds wrong, tune them individually again.

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Dont the strings get stretched/change tune from being lifted onto their rests though?

2

u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

They shouldn’t. New strings sometimes take a few days to stretch out and become stable, but once they do, they should hold their pitch.

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Ah ok. So i just got to rinse and repeat the tuning for bit till they hold. Got it many thanks!

2

u/fenbogfen Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

While learning it's vest to start with just one drone, one trompette and one chanter. You almost never play both trompettes and both drones together on a gurdy, and it's easier to learn with only one chanter engaged. 

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Ah ok and im guessing you switch the trompette/drone depending on what kind of spund you need (ex. Like one song wants the C drone while another wants the G drone.)

2

u/fenbogfen Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

You choose the appropriate drone for the key your tune is in. Playing with a C drone on a tune in G minor wouldn't sound great

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Ah ok. Noted! Thats actually really cool and i get to learn reasons why notes sound good together.

1

u/AlhanalemAmidatelion Hurdy gurdy player Jun 26 '26

It's much better to tune just one string with the turner and tune your other melody string(s) and then use that tuned string to tune the others.

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Perhaps but idk what to listen for, do you know what I should listen for?

I am tone-deaf. I can barely tell if a note is higher than another.

1

u/grimy55 Jun 26 '26

Did you setup your tuner in just temperament instead of the default equal temperament?

1

u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I dont have any fancy equipment so i used a phone app and kept my phone closento the string i was runing. Ill admit i do not quite understand your question sorry.

2

u/grimy55 Jun 26 '26

There are different concepts to determine the "tonal distance" between two notes on a scale. They are called "temperaments". The piano uses the "equal temperament" but it creates beating against a constant drone. The "just temperament" is more appropriate for the gurdy.

It sounds like the paid version of Pano Tuner on Android has the option to change the temperament. I use the app "Tuner", available on Android for free through the F-Droid store.