43rd National Táncház Festival & Fair • 5–7 April 2024
Issue:
Starting page: 14
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Thoughts on placing pickups on a Hungarian hurdy-gurdy: a detailed technical discussion of the ups and downs of placing pickups on a traditional hurdy-gurdy whether for the purpose of amplification or recording. The instrument used as an example is one made by the traditional Hungarian musician, instrument-maker and ethnographic informant from Southeastern Hungary, Bársony Mihály (Tiszaalpár, 1915–1989). The author also brings up the question of whether or not it is (would be) ethical to alter an instrument made by Bársony in the ways suggested – towards use of the modern sound technology. The parting comment is that it’s too bad Bársony isn’t still around to ask, as he would certainly have had some creative input. By Bartha Z. Ágoston.