In the New World, a guitarra séptima or guitarra sétima-with fourteen strings, strung in seven double courses-has been known in Mexico since at least 1776 (Antonio Vargas). Despite some brief setbacks in the mid-20th century, during which six-string instruments rose in prominence, the seven-string Russian guitar has remained popular in Russia to this day. īy contrast, in Russia the seven-string guitar became widely popular, and entire schools of playing were developed around its use.
The Italian guitarist Mario Maccaferri (1899–1993) was a celebrated advocate of bass strings (diapasons or bourdons) and also composed for the instrument. French guitarist Napoleon Coste (1805–1883) composed works with a seven-string guitar specifically in mind. The seven-string guitar never became as widely accepted in Europe as the six-string instrument, but a number of composers did produce a significant body of work for the seven string. It is likely that all of these factors contributed to the development of the seven-string guitar, which has been around ever since. The changing number of courses in these early guitars may also illustrate an ongoing desire on behalf of players to increase the range of the instrument, a development similar to that gone through by the lute in earlier days. As use of metal strings became more widely adopted, their greater volume output impelled luthiers to experiment more with single-strung courses on their instruments and, in a relatively short time, the modern practice of using six single strings became first common, and then standard. These new strings were more durable, remained in tune better and, most importantly, produced a louder sound than the traditional gut strings. At around 1800, quality metal-wire strings became widely available. Up to this point, most stringed instruments were strung with gut strings. By the early 18th century, six double-strung courses had become common. 1600–1750), it more commonly had five courses (still double-strung) and used a variety of tunings, some of them re-entrant. 1400–1600), the European guitar generally had four courses, each strung with two gut strings, and the pair of strings within each course tuned in unison. The history of the seven-string guitar stretches back more than 230 years. Some types of seven-string guitars are specific to certain cultures such as the Russian, Mexican, and Brazilian guitars. Such unfrettable bass strings were historically known as diapasons or bourdons.
3 STRING RUSSIAN GUITAR FREE
In the latter case, the extra bass string lies next to the existing bass strings, but free of the fingerboard in similar fashion as the archlute and theorbo. The additional string is added in one of two different ways: by increasing the width of the fingerboard such that the additional string may be fretted by the left hand or, by leaving the fingerboard unchanged and adding a "floating" bass string. There is something really wonderful about getting a feel for the provenance of an instrument.The seven-string guitar adds one additional string to the more common six-string guitar, commonly used to extend the bass range (usually a low B) or also to extend the treble range. My third-born (Kolya - yes his mum is from the Eastern Bloc!) is studying the Russian revolution at school at the moment and has been getting me back up to to speed on my Russian history - there is some serious back story in this guitar! I think the compensation is less necessary with 'open' tunings? Yeah, she is sounding good, the strings have settled down.įicht, I am growing to love the "tattoos" - been studying up on the history of the Cossack choir - wow they can really sing, there is even footage of them in 1930s on Youtube - of course (when they signed the guitar). (the tuners appear to be ivory as well - I don't condone but that cruelty was done 100+ years ago. I just modded a straight old reclaimed Ivory saddle.
0 kommentar(er)
