A new musical challenge

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Tom

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Having given up on the el cheapo madolin (returned to GC as useless), I got a nice Irish bouzouki for Christmas. It's an 8-string instrument, tuned different from any of my other instruments (G-D-A-D, actually gG-dD-aa-dd - two pairs are tuned an octave apart, while the other pairs are in unison), and played quite differently. The bouzouki is great for playing Celtic/Irish songs, like this Morrison's Jig:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvsxRPpEcs  (skip the ads). Just don't ask me to dance the jig  :eek:

I vacillated between Gold Tone and Trinity College, the latter being significantly more expensive. The reviews said that, for various reasons, I'd be happier with Trinity College. Surprise, when I popped it into the shopping cart, the supplier applied a $135 price reduction. Still more expensive than Gold Tone, but I have a feeling I'm going to be happy with this instrument.
 
Today I learned there was an instrument called a bouzouki  ;)
 
Scott, I discovered the bouzouki just a few weeks ago, when I realized how unhappy I was with the mandolin. Fortunately, Guitar Center has a great returns policy - 45 days to return to any GC across the country. So I brought it to the MidWest and returned it to the nearest GC here. No quibbles - the guy didn't even look in the box before ringing up the full credit.
 
Tom said:
No quibbles - the guy didn't even look in the box before ringing up the full credit.


It's refreshing to run across excellent customer service
 
We have the great (mis)fortune to be in striking range of Elderly's actual original store.  We were in there on one excursion where we passed near (less than 50 miles) and of course stopped in.  Mary plays guitar and other strings.  (I have an autoharp and several harmonicas that I use as threats.).  She pick up a bouzouki and was noodling.  She was getting it all figured out and then she looked at the price tag.....

We left with just the two new sets of strings (nylon and metal) and some picks and had dinner at a nice restaurant that overlooks Lake Michigan.  She thought that was a better deal. 

Matt 
 
Elderly looks like a nice store with a great history and great owners. I'd have a tough time getting out of there without at least one instrument  :)
 
Like any decent stringed instrument, the bouzouki tuned right up. One thing I haven't seen with other instruments I've bought is that the bridge came packaged separately. Usually the bridge is installed and the strings left 'slack'. Some online sites suggested the bridge for the bouzouki needed to be installed by a luthier for "correct position", but I took my best guess, and it seems to have been correct, or close enough. I might still take it to my favorite luthier when we get back to CA.

Attempting to strum and pick this instrument, and after watching some online videos, I decided it was time to go back to school. So I signed up for an Irish bouzouki class online. Time will tell if I learn anything  ???
 
Back2PA said:
Today I learned there was an instrument called a bouzouki  ;)
I have known about Bouzoukis for a long time. I never thought of them being Irish, though.
Had to go look it up.
I love a day when I learn something new.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_bouzouki


 
While I'm not a huge fan of the Ukulele, I like the sound of the Bouzouki.  Then I found this.

Would you believe, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain?  The theme song, the good, the bad and the ugly begins at 3.05 into the video.  But watch it from the beginning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhZo3sYQho
 
garyb1st said:
While I'm not a huge fan of the Ukulele, I like the sound of the Bouzouki.  Then I found this.

Would you believe, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain?  The theme song, the good, the bad and the ugly begins at 3.05 into the video.  But watch it from the beginning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhZo3sYQho
I saw them four years ago and I have front row tickets to two of their three FL shows next March. Tickets for the third show go on sale Jan 26. They are fantastic.
 
TUOGB is one of my current YouTube faves. I became aware of them after watching The Danish National Orchestra's The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The latter version is my current ringtone, and always gets smiles if it rings in public. 

garyb1st said:
While I'm not a huge fan of the Ukulele, I like the sound of the Bouzouki.  Then I found this.

Would you believe, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain?  The theme song, the good, the bad and the ugly begins at 3.05 into the video.  But watch it from the beginning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhZo3sYQho
 

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