greenscoe
Well-known member
I have just returned from a trip to the Canary island of La Palma where I was hiking. In the Canaries they play the Timple, an instrument the size of a soprano uke tuned GCEAD where both G and C are re-entrant tuned. Some versions have a fretboard flush with the soundboard with only 8 frets: other versions have a raised fretboard that extends over the soundboard. The back is highly domed: this is said to account for the loudness of the instrument.
I was unable to visit the 2 luthiers I established existed on La Palma but saw an example of the work of one of them. I also heard the instrument being played on 2 occasions but lack of a common language prevented much discussion. A proficient player strumming in a characteristic pattern can dominate a small group of instruments playing music for dancing. The instrument can also be picked.
Lanzarote is the main Canary island for this instrument and has a Timple museum (which has been previously mentioned on this forum).
A search on Youtube will reveal some Timple playing and several short clips on making the Timple. The link below however leads to 3off videos each about 8 mins long showing the construction in some detail. It shows how little equipment is needed to make an instrument. I think its interesting to compare how this instrument is made with how most of us make a soprano uke. It’s in Spanish but only your eyes are required to understand the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy2zwO18vi0
I was unable to visit the 2 luthiers I established existed on La Palma but saw an example of the work of one of them. I also heard the instrument being played on 2 occasions but lack of a common language prevented much discussion. A proficient player strumming in a characteristic pattern can dominate a small group of instruments playing music for dancing. The instrument can also be picked.
Lanzarote is the main Canary island for this instrument and has a Timple museum (which has been previously mentioned on this forum).
A search on Youtube will reveal some Timple playing and several short clips on making the Timple. The link below however leads to 3off videos each about 8 mins long showing the construction in some detail. It shows how little equipment is needed to make an instrument. I think its interesting to compare how this instrument is made with how most of us make a soprano uke. It’s in Spanish but only your eyes are required to understand the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy2zwO18vi0