-
Here's my new 10-string classical guitar, made by the Juan Hernandez company in Valencia, 664cms string length, and tuned in the "Yepes" tuning (invented by Narciso Yepes) of six regular strings, then a low C. It then surprisingly leaps up a b7th to Bb, then down a tone to Ab, and finally down a tone again to Gb. Why such a weird tuning? Well, play an open first string on a guitar, then put your finger back on the string to mute it - you still hear the note through sympathetic vibrations of other strings. Do the same with an F, and you'll hear pretty much nothing. These extra strings generate sympathetic resonances for the whole chromatic scale. When Yepes created it, he did not intend to play these other strings, but soon found the advantage of them for playing in keys not normally associated with the classical guitar, and is great for composing modern music with.
When Gilbert Isbin heard I was getting one, he wrote 12 pieces for me! Although this one wasn't written with Narciso Yepes in mind, it reminds me of him, and I was thinking of him while playing. He was such a gentle man, though with a determined mind.
The guitar was part-paid from contributions to my Patreon and Go Fund Me sites - many thanks to all who contributed!
-
10-12-2018 08:17 AM
-
Congrats on the new guitar. I taught at a music store in the late 90’s and someone had a 10 string classical there on consignment. Every time I had an absent student I would spend time with the 10 string. I absolutely loved it for renaissance and baroque. I got as far as tuning the lower strings to compliment the key of the piece I was playing. Not much experience but a nice memory.
Enjoy!
-
Rob, you're musicality never ceases to amaze and inspire me. I strive to master 6 strings, think 7 on a guitar is pretty cool to listen to and watch someone else do, but 10, that, in my mind takes a wizard! Thanks for your sharing, wizardry, and inspiration. Congratulations on that beauty. Sounds wonderful!
-
Wonderful, I use one too, a Bartolex. I arrange the piano parts from violin sonatas and play them with my wife (the violinist). My tuning from 7 down is D,C,B,A. Occasionally I change one or more of them for a specific piece. Can you tell me the string height at 12?
-
Cheers, lads, especially as it's not jazz.
Woody - I don't have any way of measuring the height. It's fairly low, and I was thinking I might raise it a little bit by placing a strip or two of card under the bridge saddle. Otherwise, the guitar is perfect. You should make a video of you and your wife playing Bach. I'd love to hear that!
-
wonderful! congrats on the beautiful instrument rob!! i look forward to hearing much more...so interesting about the tuning..the drone lives on!!
congrats & enjoy
cheers
-
Thanks, neatomic. It's a stunning instrument...But that's it - no more new instruments for twenty years!
-
A good friend performs internationally on classical and many-string classical guitars. Harp guitars, an old 3-neck guitar of Fernando Sor, and I've become rather used to the fullness of sound produced.
Yours is a beautiful example of the range of wondrous sounds out there.
Please play more for us!
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
-
Brilliant, Rob. Thanks for sharing your gifts. It brings joy to the soul.
Roli
-
Your friend would be John Doan! I met him very briefly at a guitar festival in Edinburgh . He was so lucky to find that original three-neck guitar.
Originally Posted by rNeil
Roli - many thanks!Last edited by Rob MacKillop; 10-14-2018 at 02:50 AM.
-
"It's a stunning instrument...But that's it - no more new instruments for twenty years!"
Aye Rob, we believe you. *koff koff*
I have to say, that one is a beauty though - even through the wee speakers on my macbook air, the tone is rich and full. The playing is as direct and musical as always from you, which is to say it's excellent.
-
Cheers. I mean it this time. Just like I meant it last time
-
Sonorous and serene. beautiful! Thank you, Rob!
-
Keep em coming! That is, Rob, keep the instruments coming in.
Wonderful, the sound is enormous. The chromatically tuned strings create an incredible resonance and natural reverb.
-
My curiosity was piqued... Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
-
Cheers k, om, and gbop!
-
It’s a slippery slope...
Kevin Kastning :: KK-15 15-string Extended Classical
-
Na. That's daft.
-
haha, thought you wouldn’t like it! doesn’t even look like a classical guitar. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Na. That's daft.
-
Interesting reading about that harpo-lyre guitar though. Apparently Sor wrote some pieces for it, and John Doan has arranged them for 6-string classical guitar.
It intrigues me how ‘experimental’ they were back in Sor’s time, building all those weird hybrid string instruments.
-
This thread reminds me that when I started classical guitar (age 12), my parents bought me a Deutsche Gramophon double-LP Narciso Yepes compilation. I loved that record, it sounded great, and it had a photo of Yepes playing his 10 string guitar inside. I thought that guitar looked really cool!
(I’ve still got the record.)
-
Great sound and playing on your clip Rob by the way.
Here are the photos of Yepes from the LP, with his 10-string.
-
Yes, Graham, Yepes is a hero of mine. He did some odd things, but by and large I loved his approach. He lived under the shadow of that fascist dictator known to the world as Andres Segovia, who wouldn't allow anyone to compete with him. So Yepes went his own way, and his invention of this form of 10-string guitar certainly set him apart.
Oddly, as far as I understand, he had no intention of actually playing the four extra strings - they were there purely to strengthen the resonances of the notes which were weak on standard 6-string guitars. His first album with it was of Spanish vihuela music, using only six strings. Then he brought out a Sor album, again only six strings. Then the composer, Maurice Ohana, wrote him a piece using all ten strings, and it dawned on him he could use them. Yepes then went on to commissioning new pieces for all ten strings, and making many great arrangements. I still find it hard to believe he never thought of playing them. Oops, I mentioned that in the OP.
I have a box set of all his Deutsche Gramophone recordings - stunning.
Edited for numerous typos. The Kindle Fire keyboard is a creative little soul.
Last edited by Rob MacKillop; 10-13-2018 at 04:58 PM.
-
I remember reading about Yepes in an article in Guitar Player many, many moons ago. Michael Lorimer's columns were instructional and the depth of coverage in those days was amazing. It's good to know that there are players that are keeping these lesser-known strands of the musical tapestry alive and in good repair. Thanks to one and all!
-
Yes indeed!
I took one quarter of classical guitar lessons from him 40+ years ago in college. I was a t-bone major though. My wife's instrument was classical guitar. So she had a couple years with John.
John and his first wife were the musical soloists at our wedding, she singing and he accompanied her on Judy Collins' "What I'll give you since you asked ... ". Still brings tears to my eyes, love my missus so.
She still has her Hernandez y Aguado classical though she rarely plays. Touch of an angel when she does. My first gift to her was a boxed set of 7 guitar concertos performed by John Williams. She opened it and put the first LP on the record player and we sat back to listen ... then realized from the cover art he also was playing a Hernandez y Aguado.
She was VERY impressed. Being young and stupid I of course said well that part was accidental. My.
I've photographed John and his many loves. Other than Deirdre all guitars od course. He used a picture of mine with a large red rose set in the neck of a large black harp guitar for quite some time.
We visit now and then, they live a beautiful 10 minute drive away.
Now, if I could bear to part with it, that Hernandez git od Miriam's could be swapped out for an L-5, a 175, a couple Epis and some other things.
Naw, ain't happening.
John is such a joy to sit in his living room and hear him talk of and play his joys. That 3-neck of Sor's is a most intriguing, full, and heavenly guitar to hear.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Feedback/Advice
Today, 04:34 PM in Recording & Music Software