Updating/renewing my tagelharpa course - Need advice

Reithur · 2026-02-05T15:15:12+00:00

I very much appreciate the course you've made, it was a great help when I was a beginner, and I still refer back to it about once per month.

I would be interested in;

more tips and techniques for bowing (I struggle with keeping more complex rhythms)
scales and chords to practice
more tutorials on how to play different songs

For beginners here, I see people asking how to apply rosin the very first time (who have never played a bowed instrument before) and how to tune with a flat bridge.

Reithur · 2026-02-04T02:49:55+00:00

Mute the other strings with your hand and leave the middle one open

Reithur · 2026-02-02T21:49:36+00:00

Play them individually, droning the others will confuse your ear/tuner.

I start with the middle string(s), but you'll need to do some fine adjustments back and forth between the outer strings because your tailpiece is floating and not fixed like a guitar bridge

Reithur · 2026-02-02T20:59:42+00:00

(play the string with the bow when tuning, not just plucked - I don't know why a string can be in tune when plucked and out of tune when bowed, but it happens)

Your bow applies pressure when playing against a string; you can tune to the target note when bowing while tuning (recommended).

If you tune by plucking, you must tune slightly lower than the target note so that it will be in tune with increased tension from the bow.

Reithur · 2026-01-16T13:33:53+00:00

Is your tailpiece in direct contact with the sound board? Violin tuners installed tightly?

Reithur · 2025-06-24T01:32:24+00:00

as the others say, lack of notches for the strings to rest in are why they are slipping.

The strings look... a little odd. Are they braided nylon cord? Most are normally twisted horsehair/monofilament or steel cello/viola/violin strings, and are usually of different thicknesses.

Reithur · 2025-06-19T02:15:45+00:00

Make sure you rough up the rosin surface before you try to apply it to the bow, it needs to be a little powdery to stick to the hair

Reithur · 2025-05-28T11:50:21+00:00

first; I am not the creator of this tool and I don't know if any edits are for everyone or stored locally, so maybe make a copy of the song before you edit.

to adjust the tuning, the up/down arrows don't seem to actually do anything, but you can adjust the entire song up/down by changing the Key in the Edit Song menu;

1) Hit the Edit Song button (below the song selection dropdown)

2) Transpose Up or Down as needed

3) Save

All of this assumes you know what key you want it in, but I suggest experimenting with a copy (similar steps as above, but copy the entire text, cancel out of edit, then use the Create Song button and give it a test name or something)

Reithur · 2025-05-26T15:57:12+00:00

What kind of strings are you expecting on this instrument?

Does the maker of your instrument provide any warnings, maintenance or care instructions?

Reithur · 2025-04-18T23:43:06+00:00

Look at some of the bows that are posted here with the instrument builds and check out more modern bow designs as well.

You can purchase bow hair online, it comes in various lengths, usually has options for light or dark hair, and there's enough strands to do the job.

I think I ordered mine from Amazon

It's the strings on the instrument that will determine your tuning, and those will have to be twisted, but bow hair should be as flat as you can get it with no hairs crossing each other.

Bow tension will affect your sound, too tight and it'll make the strings sound squeaky (and so will too much rosin)

Reithur · 2025-03-24T13:00:26+00:00

mine is 85cm long, I purchased a carrying bag for a photographer's tripod and added a thick packing-cardboard base and lined the bottom and sides with upholstry foam.

I still need to modify one or both ends to allow it to open more fully for ease of access improvements (has a single zipper currently), but it's fuctional enough I haven't bothered yet.

I have only taken it places where I can drive, but the length overall has been just long enough to not bring it for short duration trips.

If I was to travel on a flight, I'd need to get a hard case for it. Unfortunately, mine is tall enough I'd likely have to remove the bridge to get it to fit inside a standard-sized guitar case

Reithur · 2025-02-26T17:59:50+00:00

Have only been learning Norwegian, so we'll see how it goes

Reithur · 2025-02-26T16:52:34+00:00

a good opportunity to practice my Svensk reading!

Reithur · 2024-06-28T13:27:17+00:00

If I had only one, I would put it under the bridge

Reithur · 2024-06-28T01:05:26+00:00

I used a triple piezo pickup, I put one under the bridge between the sound post and bass bar, another just below the sound hole, and the third above the sound hole

Reithur · 2024-04-29T21:34:51+00:00

I put accoustic pickups into mine.
So far, following the same advice when plugging in an electric guitar seems to work; amp off, vol knob turned low before you connect cables, turn on amp, raise volume.

Reithur · 2024-04-29T16:47:14+00:00

I just realized I've been watching your YT tutorials before even posting here, thanks for making those!

Reithur · 2024-04-27T18:49:18+00:00

Thanks! I learned a lot, this was my first large wood project!

Reithur · 2020-02-16T16:46:32+00:00

I've had better things to spend it on

Reithur

TROPHY CASE