Classical guitar with additional strings
A Multi-string classical guitar is a musical instrument with more than 6 strings, usually between 7 and 13.
Seven-string classical guitar
Its invention is attributed to Andrei Sychra, who also wrote a method for the guitar, as well as over one thousand compositions, seventy-five of which were republished in the 1840s by Stellovsky, then again in the 1880s by Gutheil. Some of these were published again in the Soviet Union in 1926.
Eight-string classical guitar
Eight-string classical guitar are generally tuned with two extra basses ([BD]EADGBE) that vary in pitch depending on the piece being played. Another common variation is to add an extra bass and treble string. The extra treble is almost always tuned to A, while the added bass string usually falls on A,B, or C.
Paul Galbraith and Alexander Vynograd and are two of the most notable 8 string players who use the extra high and low string tuning. Galbraith generally tunes (B)EADGBEA which puts standard 6 string guitar chord voicings and scale shapes within the neck and allows him to read directly off of lute tablature (a whole step higher). Vynograd chooses to tune AEADGCEA (notice the b string is tuned up a half step) which allows him to play the top 6 strings like a guitar a 4th higher. Vynograd writes his music on a grand staff in a different key and plays as if the guitar was tuned EBEADGBE. This is a less confusing approach than Galbraith for a 6 string transitioning to 8 because the fingerings and sheet music are more familiar.
Brahms Guitar
The Brahms guitar was developed by guitarist Paul Galbraith and luthier David Rubio to allow the music of Brahms to be played more comfortably on the guitar. Information: 8 string guitar
Ten-string guitar
A guitar with 10 strings. In it's modern form it was created by Narciso Yepes whose idea it was to have more bass strings, so that the various overtones of the bass strings cover all 12 possible standard chromatic pitches.
11-string alto guitar
The 11-string alto guitar is played by guitarists such as Stefan Östersjö ([1]), Göran Söllscher and often used in performances of Bach on the guitar.
External Links
13-string Guitars
The 13-string "Chiavi-Miolin" guitar is played by Anders Miolin and created by Swiss luthier Ermanno Chiavi.
Luthier Michael Thames has developed the 13-string "Dresden" designed to function as a baroque lute for guitarists.
External Links
Harp classical guitar
The harp (classical) guitar is a guitar combining features found in the guitar and the harp. The Harp style strings are used as Bass or Drone strings, and add to the harmonic texture.
See also
Bibliography
- [2] The State of the 7-String Guitar in 2006 by Stephen Rekas.
- [3] Creating the DeCava Ten-String Classical Guitar by James R. DeCava
External links
- [4] Cathedralguitar.com, home of the Multi-String Guitar
- [5] The Lacôte Harp Guitars by Gregg Miner
- [6] Harpguitars.net
- [7] George Montalvo
References
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