Hurdy-gurdy

Courses /
  • Instrument

Learning Technique, Exploring Tradition and Innovation

Hurdy-gurdy lessons are designed for musicians of all levels, from complete beginners to those with prior experience.

Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, our lessons focus on mastering essential techniques, particularly the rhythmic intricacies of the right hand, and their connection to dance and drone music from various European traditions.

Core elements of the course include aural training, interval recognition, and consistent reference to the drone tone. Emphasis is placed on rhythm training, accompanying buzzing (both with the melody and independently), and confidently navigating complex rhythms. Preparatory exercises are tailored to individual skill levels to ensure ongoing engagement and enjoyment.

Lessons are available in individual and group settings, offering personalized instruction and the opportunity to explore the rich tradition and development of the hurdy-gurdy.

Hurdy-gurdy

Teacher

  • Photo of Silke Reichmann de Salas, Hurdy-gurdy teacher at the Global Music Academy, Berlin
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    Silke Reichmann de Salas 

    From Europe to the World

    Silke grew up in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. She learned to play flute and hurdy-gurdy as a teenager and took part in workshops for renaissance music with cornett, recorder and voice. (Father Kurt Reichmann best known hurdy-gurdy luthier in Germany, mother Heinke Reichmann played with the Frankfurter Renaissance Ensemble). During a student exchange in Calgary, Canada she took part in a jazz choir.

    Projects and Awards

    For the beginning years Silke has dedicated herself to European (mainly French, German) traditional and contemporary folk music and dances. She was a musician and dance guide in the hurdy-gurdy group “Die Hummel” (the bumble-bee). In 1985 she co-founded the band “Trio Grande” (existing till 2005) who first introduced Arabic, Asian, and African elements into their idiosyncratic, new European folk music. For the movie “Der Name der Rose” (by Jean-Jacques Annaud, 1986) she took part in the sound recordings.

    1991 Silke was awarded the first price of the hurdy-gurdy competition “catégorie double” (with Hans Lang) at the international Festival “Les Maîtres Sonneurs” in St. Chartier, France. She was a member of the first hurdy-gurdy masterclass (improvisation) with Valentin Clastrier in Montluçon, France. During the late 90s she took part in the national hurdy-gurdy music theater project “Ensemble Surradial”.

    Collaborations and Performances

    Inspired by the guest musicians of Trio Grande, Amie Jammeh/Yusupha Kuyateh from The Gambia (Album “PiloPao”), Silke developed a special interest in West African music and took lessons in West African percussion and dance. Some years she played with the band “Touramakang” (Mali/Senegal/Gambia/Germany) founded by Momo Papis Traoré.

    Through a cooperation with Rogerio Soares Peixoto, reggae singer and Master of “Capoeira Angola”, she got in touch with Brasilian music (as flute player). In 1998, Silke met the Brasilian singer Catarina de Paula Borba, both playing with the world music project “Caleidoscope” during a joined concert tour through Skandinavia. Today, they play together as a female Duo “Maritaca”.

    Silke remains especially interested in drone music throughout the world. Furthermore she has studied atonal improvisation for one semester at HdK Berlin with Natalia Siedler. Study trips and concerts have led Silke to New York (USA), Bakau (The Gambia) and La Habana (Cuba).

    At the Global Music Academy, Silke offers lessons in hurdy-gurdy for students from all music skills.

    Courses

    • Hurdy-gurdy

    Languages

    German, English, Spanish, French