I am launching a new podcast and YouTube show, “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”. It will be available, both as an audio podcast, as well as a video version on YouTube. Initially, the audio podcast will be available on Spotify, with the other usual channels to follow. Interviews with guests and recording has been going on since early February. The first episode is scheduled to air on Spotify and YouTube on March 17, 2023.
In “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”, we delve into the fascinating realm of unusual and intriguing musical instruments. From the depths of history to the cutting edge of innovation, we'll explore the instruments that push the boundaries of what we consider music. Join us on a journey of discovery as we uncover the secrets of the world's most fascinating instruments, the people who make them, the people who play them, and the music they create.
The bar for music-related podcasts and shows is high; for example, Rick Beato’s “Everything Music” YouTube channel, and the "Voices from the Vernacular Music Center Podcast", hosted by Dr. Chris Smith and Dr. Roger Landes of Texas Tech University. As far as I know, "Cool Instruments for Hep Cats" is the only podcast focused exclusively on unusual musical instruments, the people who play them and the people who make them. If there are others, we are honored to be part of the same club.
I have received an incredible response from some very Hep Cats, who have generously agreed to be guests on the show. Some of those who have committed are:
- Daniela Gaidano of Visintini Gaidano Violoncello da Spalla Makers (luthier, writer, historian and player: violoncello da spalla)
- Mark Wickersham (player: violoncello da spalla and tenor-tuned viola - folk and trad. styles)
- Gerald Trimble (player: viola da gamba, violoncello da spalla and cittern)
- Natalie Haas of Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas (player: folk-style cello, particularly contemporary interpretation of Scottish Traditional music)
- Mikael Marin of Vasen (player: violoncello da spalla folk and trad. styles)
- Roger Landes, Texas Tech University (historian, musicologist and player: cittern, Irish bouzouki, octave mandolin and bagpipes)
- Andrew Gonzalez (player: violoncello da spalla, viola)
- Will Hurd (player: violoncello da spalla, viola)
- George Kelischek (Geigenbaumeister and historical woodwinds maker: hurdy-gurdy, crumhorn and other capped reeds, vielle, viola d’amore).
Some of the cool instruments that we will be talking about:
- Tenor and baritone range instruments either in the mandolin family or similar (double string courses, played with a pick, etc.)
This will be the focus of the first episode, with special guest, Dr. Roger Landes
-
- Bouzouki Greek and “Irish” variants)
- Cittern (historic and modern)
- Octave mandolin
- Mandocello
- Dulcimer (standard mountain lap and bowed)
- Nyckelharpa (traditional Swedish “keyed fiddle”
- Capped double reeds
- Rauschpfeiffen
- Crumhorns
- Kelhorn
- Violoncello da spalla (in Baroque music)
- Violoncello da spalla (in Traditional folk music)
- Alternative full-size cellos (e.g., 5-string cellos)
- Viola da gamba
- Sultana (aka cither viol)
- Cello-viol hybrids
- Full-size 4-string cello as a folk instrument
- Tin whistles and other flageolets
- Recorder
- Hurdy-gurdy
- Bagpipes and related
- Great Highland pipes
- Uillean pipes
- Shuttle pipes
- Parlor pipes
- English bagpipes
- Smallpipes
- Lower-pitched violins and violins with 5 or more strings
- Modern octave violin
- Octavgeige
- Modern tenor viola
- Octave viola (aka “chin cello”)
- Mezzo violin
- 5-string violin
- 6-string violin (aka “Fadolin”)
- 7-string mezzo violin
- Banjos
- Gourd
- Tackhead
- Minstrel
- Old-time 5-string
- Bluegrass 5-string
- Tenor
- Banjo-uke (banjolele)
- Banjo-mandolin (banjolin)
- Cigar box instruments
- Cigar box fiddles
- Cigar box Guitars
- Cigar box Mandolins
- Cigar box Ukes
- Pochettes, kit fiddles and modern travel violins
- Jaw harp
- Asian
- European
- Hand percussion
- Djembe
- Talking drum
- Cajon
- Spoons
- Experimental and super-weird instruments
The list merely scratches the surface. Since some of the topics will require multiple episodes, we are good topic-wise for at least a year of bi-weekly podcasts.
Value proposition
Guaranteed
- Learn something new and interesting or your money back, guaranteed!
- The podcast and YouTube episodes are actually free.
- Hear really intriguing musical instruments being played by skilled players.
- Get to see what we look like (sorry, only on the YouTube video version)
- Get to hear how world-class musicians and makers sound when they talk.
- They sound surprisingly like other humans
Not Guaranteed but Likely
- Hear musical instruments that you have never heard before, and possibly never even heard of.
Possibly
- Settle arguments and bets with colleagues and friends.
Probably Not, but Maybe
- Get rich.
You can be sure that you will be hearing much more about this, including where you can listen, watch and/or download episodes, in the coming weeks.
Cool Instruments for Hep Cats is brought to you by D. Rickert Musical Instruments and Don Rickert Musician Shop.
Comments