Fantasia Question

[Rudy Kristich Buffalo]

Mark,

Wondering if the original recording of Fantasia by Peter K. on the Kuda Idu Godine CD was done with 1 E string on the prim. It just doesn't sound like a double string, especialy when the bug and bass break on the 4th part. If it is a double string, can you explain why it sounds like 1 string ?

[horsovec]

Rudy - I know you asked this question of Mark, but perhaps I can help.

Peter used double-string E on his prim for Fantazija recording. The E string of a prim shouldn't audibly sound like two separate strings - they work as one. The added string adds volume, clarity and tone to the top end of the prim. I didn't notice an evident lack of any of these elements, so I can't relate to your statement of it sounding like only one string. As far as your mentioning the 4th part - I don't have the song avaialble to listen to now, but if you are referring to the solo section, that is all done on brac, not prim, and the brac also used a double-string on the top. Hope this answers your questions.

[Rudy Kristich Buffalo]

David,
Thanks for the reply. I realize the 2 e's should sound as 1 string, but sometimes when it is truely one string, it sounds a little "finer". I noticed that "finer" sound when listening to Janica recordings of certain instrumentals. I asked this question regarding the Janica recordings on Tamburaland...and your uncle responded that Janica had his bridge cut so he could move one of the e strings over.....so he could play a song with only one e string. Again, at times Fantasia sounded similar to the Janica 1 sting sound...so I just wondered if it was done that way. The 4th part I am referring to is the prim part played just before the song is started over again at part one. In any event, thanks for the answer. Rudy

[Aussie^Tamburas]

Gday Rudy,
r u reffering to Janika? if so then what recordings/songs did he use 1 E string?

thanks
Dundee

[Rudy Kristich Buffalo]

Don't know which ones, only know that some really sounded like one string only.

[Clive]

From what i've heard. Cigani (Gypsies) like playing tambure with single strings. It's more predominent in brac players. I'm not sure about prim players. Did anyone check out the tambura's that Janika's orchestra was using at Tamburaland?

[ken kosovec]

Rudy, Janika's prim was setup with wide spacing on his "E" strings. This enabled him to play on only one "E" for a different effect when he desired. He would utilize this method sometimes when playing very high notes on slower songs. If you listen to some of his earlier recordings such as "Biseri Narodna Muzika" on the instrumentals you will be able to notice this. Also when he played "Seva" live on the ad-lib passage on the very high notes he would often employ this method. He was of course known for his speed, but for me, he was the master of feeling, color, technique, style and artistry.

[hrastovica]

Is it true that gypsies prefer to use one string on the A??

I've watched recordings of Dzeno and his tamburasi and didn't notice single A strings???

If single A strings are used, I would assume they use a heavier guage string to compensate for the loss in volume and tone.

Does anyone know any more about this???

[ThE pHaNtOm]

Some do but not many as far as I know. I saw Djeno's band in Zagreb a couple times. They used double A's. The only Tamburasi Iknow for sure use single A is Sero and Darko from ExPanonia. And yes they usually go up to a 12.

[Clive]

Sure double firsts are used for a louder sound but i use them a lot for all those slavonski trills. Jako gud.