Rommelpots and other weird medieval instruments

[Derian le Breton]

I was recently given a rommelpot. It's basically a form of Friction drum, and is a real hoot.

Who else has experienced the joy of the rommelpot?

What other sorts of weird medieval instruments do people play?

-Derian.

[Mac]

Derian,

I've messed with the rommelpot. They're pretty limited in what they can do.

The trump is fun, and a bit more versatile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew%27s_harp There are good ones and bad ones though. These guys have a selection of good ones. http://www.mouthmusic.com/trumps.htm

I have a collection of a couple hundred antique and vintage trumps. I have also made a few in medieval shapes.

Mac

[Patrick]

I play the Anglo-Saxon lyre. I have messed around with a Jouhikko (bowed lyre from Finland, though similar bowed lyres exist all over that part of the world). I've made a couple of rebecs, too.

So, really, nothing of the truly odd instruments, but I've played around with some slightly obscure ones. And some common ones.

-Patrick

[zippy]

hmmm i could make a rommelpot
i have access to cow bladders so that part is easy
and plenty of potters too
i just need to know what treatment to do to the bladder
this could be fun

any other info would rock

[Derian le Breton]

Adding a knob of some sort on the end of the stick beneath the drum head will keep the stick from pulling out. The one I have has a bead glued to the end.

Getting the drum head taut makes a big difference in the character of the sound.

-Derian.

[zippy]

Just commissioned a spoutless pitcher similar to the one in the Breugel painting. Its nice to know potters who will work in trade. She is checking on earthenware, but sadly I don't know the difference between that and stoneware.
Next question; What wood would the stick be made from?
If I had to guess I would check what the black forest is flled with and go from there. Or available firs in abundance.