I have recently taken an intrest in calliope music, and I plan to build one some day(although it will likely be airdriven, so it wont be a genuine calliope.)
I have a problem with foxtrot timing. Normally I would use pedals to lay down a bass line on the forebeat alternating tonic, and fifth; and play the chord with my left hand on the backbeat. As many of you know, there are no pedals on a calliope. Are there any helpful hints, as to how i can play the bassline, and chord with my left hand, while leaving my right hand free for a melody? Waltz time sounds okay without a bassline, but is still limited in dimension. Foxtrot on the other hand desperately requires a bassline. So before i can play any four, or two-steppers, i need a new technique.
'Stride piano' style would work, but would sound very choppy, given the organ's lack of a sustain pedal. Or maybe this, assuming a C major harmony.
C-E+G, g-E+G and so on, where g is an octave below G.
As you're not going to build a 'genuine' calliope, why not add a 13 note pedalboard, as per the Hammond in your avatar?
Andy
It's not what you play. It's not how you play. It's the fact that you're playing that counts.
New website now live - www.andrew-gilbert.com
I had considered it, but i have never seen a calliope with pedals. I don't much feel like breaking tradition, beyond using forced air instead of steam. I'll figure it out eventually. I suppose close end resonators don't much belong on the organforum. If i do build said instrument, I will be one of only a few calliope players left in the US. I wish there were more, so I could study their techniques, and learn the art of whistle building, but there is no calliope forum, I checked. I guess i will just have to get used to playing a bassline with my subdominant pinky finger.
[quote user="mortson978"]I suppose close end resonators don't much belong on the organforum.[/quote]Pipe organs are full of "closed end" (stoppered) pipes. This forum discusses pipe organs, reed organs, electronic organs, Hammond organs - I'm probably leaving something out. No reason calliopes shouldn't be discussed here!
[quote user="mortson978"]If i do build said instrument, I will be one of only a few calliope players left in the US.[/quote]Maybe not. While I don't consider myself a calliope player per se, I have played one and would gladly do it again if the opportunity arose. So in that sense, I might be considered a calliope player. [] I would agree that you may be one of the few in the country to own a calliope.
[quote user="mortson978"]I wish there were more, so I could study their techniques, and learn the art of whistle building, but there is no calliope forum, I checked.[/quote]I don't think there is too very much to learn about calliope playing technique, other than to avoid thick textures and perhaps to wear gloves (the one I played was steam-powered and had metal keys whichgot very hot to the touch).
[quote user="mortson978"]I guess i will just have to get used to playing a bassline with my subdominant pinky finger.[/quote]There are several styles of playing which would work on a calliope: Alberti bass, 'oompah' bass (for marches or waltzes), a dronebass, etc. You can also play the melody in octaves (one note per hand);there are many possibilites. I think the key is to keep it simple. These are very unrefined, limited-compass instruments that don't do well with complex music.
There are quite a few videos on YouTube you might want to explore - the ones made by experienced players should give you some helpful tips onappropriate ways to play a calliope.
Here's a sample which might be a less expensive way to start playing a calliope:
http://www.pipeloops.com//product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=28
If you have a keyboard with midi and a computer you could start playing in a few days.
Well, I'm glad to see the organ forum is calliope friendly. I think playing the melody in octaves is too one dimensional. I love rhythm in my music. I need a melody, a bassline, and a chord. I have been improvising various waltzes, and foxtrots for the pan flute setting for my keyboard. It sounds quite a bit like a calliope. Thus far my only reference for calliope is Jim Koehler. I have been watching his videos on youtube, but i cant see his hands work, I can only hear is playing. He is an excellent player though, and I was very impressed to hear how he uses walking bass throughout his music. I think when I do build my instrument, I will use wooden keys, 44, FtoC
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