Efren Lopez – Hurdy Gurdy Seminar

This workshop is aimed to hurdy gurdy players of all levels who wish to expand the work field of their instrument, incorporating new repertoires, ornaments, phrasing and rhythmics to the HG’s techniques and common styles.

We will move the hurdy gurdy out of its common musical context, such as Early Music and Western European folk styles, and apply it to music of Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and other countries of the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. We will focus on ornamentation, phrasing, and rhythmic elements, adding regional expression to common hurdy gurdy techniques and style. We will also look at some modes of those regions.

The ideal tuning for the course is: chanter strings in G and D, drones in D, C, A, E and G, and trompettes in C, D, A, B and G.

Although not essential, basic knowledge of music theory and reading is recommended.