Monochord
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SIMO100 |
In ages past the Monochord was constructed by Pythagoras for basic harmonical experiments of tones. In those days it was a simple wooden plate with only one string. With the help of this instrument the mathematical relations of the length of a string to the height of a tone could be measured. The scale of the overtones is based on these proportions.
Today we know the Monochord as an instrument with many strings of the same length, all tuned to the same tone. If you slowly pass your hands alternately over the strings without a break, you get a long-lasting sound that is extraordinarily rich in overtones. The absolutely precise tuning of all strings is essential for the full creation of overtones, otherwise the sound is disharmonious and empty.
Quite often the Monochord is used for meditation music, overtone singing and musical therapy, because the sound is relaxing and balancing for almost everyone; overtones have a healing effect. The Monochord can be played also by children without any practice.
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KoTaMo
The Kotamo is a combination of three overtone instruments: Japanese Koto, Indian Tambura and modern Monochord. It is a specially developed type of Monochord therapy instrument and it unifies the qualities of all three instruments.
The strings of the Monochord are all tuned to exactly the same note, and the four strings of the Tambura are tuned in fourth, fifth and octave. The Koto has movable frets and allows various scales. Usually it is tuned in pentatonic. Koto and Tambura are both placed on one side of the instrument. When the Kotamo is standing upright it is possible to play on both sides simultanously. One hand passes over the Monochord, the other one improvises on the strings of Koto and Tambura. In the horizontal position both hands play continuously on one side. The Kotamo can also be spun around.
(For more details, see Monochord).
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Sound Cradle
 
SIKW130 130cm
SIKW150 150cm |
The Sound Cradle is a modern combination of a musical and a relaxing instrument. Either in lying or sitting position you can enjoy a remarkable sound experience with all your senses. The solid half-round cradle bowl is covered with strings on the sides, there are 2 times 18 strings. It sounds very similar to a Monochord but “stereo”. The Sound Cradle is constructed in a way that it can be used as a cradle, a tunnel, a sound chair or in standing position. Thus it is flexible as almost no other therapy instrument or sound object.
In the cradle bowl you find yourself in a kind of resonating chamber and protection room – here you feel the sounds of the strings very intensely. You hear the sounds as if you were inside of a harp, and feel the sounds with your whole body. In direct contact with the instrument you will experience a harmonising sound massage. When also being cradled you achieve an intense relaxation almost immediately, that has a psychically balancing effect.
The Sound Cradle is tuned like a Monochord – on one side all tones are tuned to A (in the case of the models listed here), on the other side the tones sound a five higher (E´). Additional bass strings on each side offer a more sonorous sound spectrum, rich in overtones. They are mostly tuned in intervals that most people find harmonising and relaxing: fives and octaves. Of course the strings can be tuned differently too, for example two notes higher or lower. The Sound Cradle keeps its tuning over a long time period when the room is kept in constant climate. But with the help of a tuning device and the included tuning key it can easily be retuned.
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Autoharp
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SIAH100 |
The Autoharp belongs to the Zither family, but has a sophisticated mechanism which makes it an easy string instrument to learn. In the beginning it might seem unusual to play, but soon proves to be simple. One hand operates with the help of a system of buttons and a number of buffers. So when playing a chord all the strings are silenced except those needed for the chord. The other hand passes a plectrum over the strings swiftly and evenly. In that way the desired chord is created and can be changed quickly.
According to the type the Autoharp can have up to 36 strings and a range of 2-4 octaves. Unlike the lying Zither, the Autoharp is played in the upright position or hanging on the body.
Our model here has 21 buttons for major and minor chords.
It is an instrument that can easily be learned by people without musical knowledge and even by disabled persons.
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Harp
SIHA020
20 String |
SIHA024
24 String |
SIHA027
20 String |
The Harp is one of the oldest musical instruments known to mankind. For ages the sound of the Harp has been considered to be the magic of divine and supernatural powers. In ancient legends we read how gods and goddesses rule the world with the help of sound: the Finn god Wäinämoinen guides and charms the whole creation, David goes with the Harp to Saul who is tortured by an evil ghost. Still in the 19th century art lovers firmly believed that the sound waves of the Harp conquered evil and saved humanity from worries and anxieties.
We offer hand made types from a German instrument maker: simply constructed low budget harps of Celtic type with a good sound. Suitable for beginners. There are hooks for F# and Bb, more on request.
Lap Harp: 20 nylon strings, 80 cm high, foot stand on request.
Other types with 24 or 27 nylon strings are also available.
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Kantele
SIKT100 Kalevala
SIKT200 Silver Moon |
In the Finnish national epos the old magician-singer Wäinämoinen created the first Kantele from the jaw of a pike. While playing on it all animals of the forest gathered and listened; people let go of their work and were fascinated by the beauty of the Lute music. Similar stories we know from Orpheus in the Greek legends.
In its classical form the Kantele consists of a wooden resonating body in the shape of a wing. The body is made from a specially crafted Birch trunk. Five strings from horse hair tuned in pentatonic scale cover the body. Modern Kanteles can have up to 36 metal strings and offer a system of hooks which allow the player to change the tone a half-note higher or lower. That can be done even while playing. The instrument is plucked with the fingers while lying on the lap or at a table, similar to a Zither.
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Psaltery
SISP100 |
The Bowed Psaltery originates from the Orient. The wooden body has the form of a long stretched triangle. The pegs are fixed at the edge on both sides. The strings are played between the pegs with a bow.
The chromatic type has 20 strings with a scale from C´ to G´´. On the right side there are the notes of C major, on the left side the complementary half-notes. The pentatonic Psaltery is specially built as it has double strings for each tone, except for the lowest. One advantage is that it can be played with two bows. The other, that the sound quality of the instrument is improved to a great extent. When one string is played, another equally tuned string sounds simultaneously. Due to its inner harmony this Psaltery is perfect for improvisation as each tone fits with the other and there is no disharmony.
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Singing Saw
SISG100 |
The origin of this instrument is buried in oblivion... Nobody knows exactly when, but most probably a few woodcutters discovered the sound of the saw around the beginning of the 20th Century. We do know that the Weaver Brothers used the Singing Saw in 1919 in a Vaudeville Show and then they travelled with it through the U.S. as Marlene Dietrich did in Europe.
The Saw is played with the help of a violin bow and the blade is bent to vary the tone. But it looks much easier than it is...!
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Guitar
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SIGT100 | 
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Guitar-like instruments have been in use for 5000 years. The name Guitar originates from the Spanish language (Guitarra) and was then transferred to German. It reaches back to the old Greek word Kithara which describes a Lute instrument of the Greek Antique.
But no matter where the Guitar actually comes from, everybody knows it. It belongs to the best known string instruments. Certainly one reason for its popularity is the great variety of ways to express rhythms, melodies and moods. The best proof is in the manifold genres where the Guitar is played.
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Bouzouki
SIBZ100
Irish Style |
SIBZ200
Sakis Greek |
The Bouzouki is one of the most important string instruments of Greek music. Our original Greek model from the Sakis workshop is tuned to Gg-dd´-aa-d´d´´.
The other type is built like the Irish Mandolin and has a flat body. It is perfect for every kind of folk music. Tuning and mensur correspond to the Greek example.
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Charango
SICH100 |
The Charango belongs to the family of plucked instruments. It was developed in the 16th Century from the Chitarra battente of the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors.
Originally the dried shell of an armadillo was used as the resonating body; nowadays it is replaced by a wooden body. Of course this was due to the protection of animals. The construction of a Charango is quite similar to the Guitar but it is much smaller.
The left hand makes the chords while the right hand plucks the five double strings (Nylon) of different thicknesses. They are not tuned in the normal rising height but crosswise. Therefore it is a bit difficult for Guitar players to get used to the Charango.
The rhythmic striking technique is quite common when all the strings are played together as a chord. Either the Charango is held onto the right of the chest or upright onto the right thigh.
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Ukelele
SIUK100 GR 3600
SIUK200GR 3605 |
Portuguese immigrants originally brought the Ukulele to Hawaii. There it received its name which means “hopping flea”. Probably the Hawaiian people got this impression while seeing the fingers moving fast over the strings.
The Ukulele is a small Guitar-like plucked instrument that is usually covered with 4-8 strings. Its normal size is 60cm long and 20cm wide, and is thus considered by most people as a toy Guitar for children. From Hawaii the Ukulele spread to North America and returned from there to the “Old World”. In the German countries it became famous recently in the Stefan Raab TV show.
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Mandolin
SIMA100
Italian flat body |
SIMA200
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Mandolins belong to the family of Guitar-like plucked instruments. Either they have a round body, as is traditional in Southern countries, or a flat one. The latter is quite common in Irish music. We offer both types: there are simple low budget instruments or models of high quality from various brands.
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Pitch Pipes
Pitch Pipes
ZUSG002
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Chromatic Tuner
ZUSG001
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Tuning Keys
ZUSS001
for Auris-Leier, Harp, KoTaMo chinese style
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ZUSS002
for Kantele, Äolis-Leier, KoTaMo japanese style
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Kolofonium
Kolofonium
ZUKF001
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Just for those who do not know, the hair of a string bow is rubbed with Kolofonium (a resin) so as to create the proper friction while playing. This simple Kolofonium is suitable for all our string instruments. Special types are available on request.
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