LL-L: "Music" LOWLANDS-L, 21.JUN.2001 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 21.JUN.2001 (02) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 A=Afrikaans, Ap=Appalachean, D=Dutch, E=English, F=Frisian, L=Limburgish
 LS=Low Saxon (Low German), S=Scots, Sh=Shetlandic, Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: "Szelog, Mike" <Mike.Szelog at CITIZENSBANK.com>
Subject: Lowlands Folk Music/Instruments

Hello Lowlanders!

I hope this inquiry will fall into the scope of the Lowlands culture -

Just wondering if anyone might be able to help with a bit of information? I
am an "amateur" musician and one of my interests, being interested in
languages, is world folkmusic. One instrument I have, and is one of my
favorites, is what is called here in America a "Mountain Dulcimer" - this is
not the trapezoid shaped instrument played with hammers (though I have one
of those as well and is called here a "Hammered Dulcimer"), but rather this
is a fretted instrument which may be played in a variety of different ways
and may also be tuned several ways - extremely versatile instrument. It is
known throughout Europe in slightly various forms and shapes and number of
strings (mine has four, for example - two drones and a double-coursed melody
string). The Swedish version is known as the Hummel, the Icelandic version
(which is typically bowed rather than plucked or strummed) is the "Langspil"
- the Germans know it as the "Streitholt", I believe it is known in Flanders
as an "Espinette".

I do play a few tunes I picked up while in the Low-Rhine area
(Viersen-Süchteln), but was wondering if the instrument is still used (if it
ever was)in the folk music  tradition of the Lowland areas? One typically
associates this instrument in the "German" tradition with Austrian/Tyrolean
folk music, where it is still quite popular.

If it is still used in the Lowland area folk tradition , I would be curious
to get some sort of detailed info regarding the instrument, particularly,
how many strings, what are they tuned to and is the instrument typically
strummed or fingerpicked (or even bowed)? Also, are there any books
available with folktunes in them in tablature form? I suspect probably not
many as being a folk instrument, like the American version, one typically
learns "by ear", though here there are many instructional books on the
basics of the instrument.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Mike Szelog
Manchester, NH - USA
mike.szelog at citizensbank.com

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