Irish Lyre in G Pentatonic Tuning by Michael J King

Plans download: https://payhip.com/b/bVM1website
Irish Lyre plans now also on 2015 Lyre MakingCD-ROM:
http://www.michaeljking.com/build_you...
Instruments available to order
http://michaeljking.com/irish-lyre.htm

www.michaeljking.com
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Stick Dulcimer plan Downloads offer

Get Download here 

Just a quick update, I am testing a new hosting site for downloads which means I can now offer the Stick Dulcimer plans as a download once again.
They are available at the reduced price of $16 for now while I test the service.
Downloads from here:
https://payhip.com/b/QbR0
Alternatively If you wish to buy the physical Stick Dulcimer DVD-ROM which accompanies the series its available from my website shop,  purchase of the DVD by April the 12th and I will included a free full size folded printed copy of the Stick Dulcimer plans:
http://www.michaeljking.com/stickmaking.htm
as always also selling tailpieces, strings, straps and of course instruments starting from £400 for the mahogany edition
Let me know if you have any questions!  

Sutton Hoo Lyre (for sale)

Used Sutton Hoo replica for sale  

Email  sales "@" michaeljking.com for more information on this.

11 String Kantele: Playing the first 6 Chords

I have now made the simple chord charts for 10 and 11 string Kanteles,  each on their individual pages on my website,

This video was demonstrated on a Custom walnut 11 String Kantele made for a customer in Oregon USA,  This instrument has Kolrosing decoration which is very subtle on Walnut but can be seen in low light.  See my video on Kolrosing for more information



Plans as always are available on my Kantele Making CD-ROM Here:



http://www.michaeljking.com/plans.htm



Chord chart for 11 String:

http://www.michaeljking.com/11-string-kantele.htm

Chord chart for 10 String:

http://www.michaeljking.com/kantele.htm



Books to learn to play 5/10 or 11 string:

http://www.kantelemusic.com/product.html

11 string Tutor:

http://www.temps.fi/en/store/



Instrument made to commission:

www.michaeljking.com

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FOR SALE : 18 String Kantele in Walnut and Cedar by Michael J King

This 18 string Custom closed back instrument with inbuilt K&K pickup is available to buy
email me at sales@michaeljking.com for more info

Learning to play the Kantele with written Music

Lani K Thompson Has written several books for the 5 and 10 string Kanteles, On her website you can purchase these either as a physical book and CD or as a Download.  Lani also can provide Private Lessons by Skype.

My First Kantele

This book provides a foundation and skills for playing and learning written music at the same time on your Kantele.  This is the most recent book by Lani and is highly recommended.

"Don't know how to read music? No problem! This book, which comes with a CD, will teach you everything you need to know in order to play a five or ten string kantele and read music written for it. Videos and sound files make it easy to learn and practice the accompanying exercises and songs. Quizzes test what you learn and an Answer Key is included so you can check your answers. The second part of the book consists of 46 songs written for 5 and 10 string kanteles. This book is also available as an ebook"


My Kantele is my Teacher

The next book is for people who already read music, a little more advanced but It has a great collection of Finnish tunes, some really great tunes to play.

"If you can already read music, this book will teach you how to play small kanteles with 5 or 10 strings. Learn different techniques such as how to play a kantele with a bow, pick or chopsticks. Information on caring for your kantele, finger positions, tuning and changing strings is also included. Music includes my arrangements of approximately 36 traditional Finnish folk tunes and songs. This book may be purchased by itself or with a CD to illustrate some of the techniques. Also available as ebook."

Fishbone    

The last book Is the one that featured heavily in my Kantele playing guide on youtube,  This is the quintessential book for playing the 5 string.  In my video I demonstrate how the PDF version of the book works on a laptop with the embedded soundfiles.  

"This book includes original compositions by a number of artists, as well as some Finnish and American folk songs. All the tunes can be played by changing only one string from F to F#! The e-book includes song files (in .mp3 format) so you can hear how each kantele part sounds by itself or with other parts."

Complete chords for the Kantele   (revised edition)

This contains chord charts and tuning variations for 5 and 10 string Kanteles,  a great reference and also has some fantastic original tunes including "in the forest" one of my favourites

"This book contains extensive chord charts (420 charts, total) for all the major and minor keys, including charts for pentatonic tunings in all the keys. In addition, there is information on tuning your kantele, a small glossary of musical terms, and 45 mostly original songs and tunes written and arranged for five and ten strings."


Lastly Here is a book specifically for Children: 

The Handle on the Banana

"This book contains 57 songs to enjoy with children. Included are songs to sing around the campfire, familiar childhood favourites and some original music written for young children. Instructions for accompanying games and fingerplays are included. All music can be played on a ten string kantele."

For more details about purchasing these books and much more Lani 's website here:  http://www.kantelemusic.com 

Her email for more info about Skype is here

                  (Picture of Lani K Thompson taken in my Cheltenham Workshop in 2004)

Making Luthier Spool clamps!

Not everything in a luthiers toolbox is cheap to buy, making your own spool clamps is something very economical.

Ingredients to make 20 spool clamps:

One IKEA chopping board, (Legitim). white polyethylene     8mm thick.    24x34cm 80p in UK 

Hole saw. 38mm from poundland  £1

M6 coach bolts. 4" or 100mm for lyres, kanteles, dulcimers, mandolins, ukes.   

(Longer bolts are needed for guitars etc)

20 of these

25 or  30mm washers 40 of these 

Wing or butterfly nuts.    X 20

I was able to purchase all the metal hardware from my local wilkinson for £2,99 in their self service pick and mix bags 

Total cost for 20 clamps  £4.79! 

(I can't take credit for this,  I read about using chopping boards and hole saws in a mandolin making book by Graham Macdonald but this was the first time I got round to trying it)

Instructions 

Use the hole saw in a bench drill to cut out the clamps from the chopping board.    

Inset the bolt with a washer and slide on another clamp piece and washer.

Screw on the butterfly nut

Done.  :-)

They work really well despite the top and bott being loose.  The texture of the chopping board also helps.