KVR Audio

Mr. Tunes · Post by **Mr. Tunes** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:41 am

So it recently occured to me that there are a few stores in the US that resell instruments from Asia and Eastern Europe. Kind of funny how most of us try hard to find the samples but rarely go after the actual instruments.

I'm wondering if anyone has bought anything from these stores, and which instruments are fairly easy to play (easy enough that you can get some bang for your buck out of them)?

http://www.mid-east.com
http://www.worldmusicalinstruments.com/
http://findinstruments.com

Herman Witkam · Post by **Herman Witkam** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:36 am

Some more stores:

www.larkinthemorning.com
www.duduk.com
www.melodyofchina.com

The most easy instruments to play are anything with a whistle/recorder-like mouthpiece and small percussion like shakers, small drums etc.

Mr. Tunes · Post by **Mr. Tunes** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:46 am

thanks for those herman!

ugo · Post by **ugo** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:55 am

i havent purchased from them yet, but i've heard good stuff about this place: http://www.hmtrad.com/ they're actually not all that far from me but i've yet to go up there.

...most likely out of fear of what would probably happen to my bank account ballence if i step foot in the store.

-ugo

topaz · Post by **topaz** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:53 pm

Hi Herman

I just met a guy in the UK that had a zurna from lark in the morning, he paid good money for it..I saw the same thing in turkey in gift shops for $10.

then again if he had never seen a Pro Zurna made from Plum Tree or Apricot then he would of known no different.

I hope their other stock is better than what I saw

Herman Witkam wrote:Some more stores:

www.larkinthemorning.com
www.duduk.com
www.melodyofchina.com

The most easy instruments to play are anything with a whistle/recorder-like mouthpiece and small percussion like shakers, small drums etc.

envoy · Post by **envoy** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:14 pm

I've gotten items from Lark in the Morning, a couple times by actually visiting the store (one in San Francisco and one in Mendocino) and then once ordering from them directly. I can't imagine only doing it by online/catalog, as a lot of the fun is going there and listening to it all! While I'd never vouch for every instrument, the ones I have gotten were of good quality. Naturally, if you were to be able to shop in the country of origin you'd probably find it for less, but then you wouldn't have an entire world collection in one place. As to finding a simple instrument, part of the magic of deep instruments from other cultures is that they *aren't* simple, and may yield a good bit more with study. Then again, there are lovely things to be found in simple instruments as well - last time I was there I couldn't pass up these beautiful bits of silver aluminum wire twisted into artistic "wands".

Happy hunting!

Cheers,
Envoy

Mr. Tunes · Post by **Mr. Tunes** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:35 am

this one looked cool:
http://www.larkinam.com/product.asp_Q_p ... ceanharp_E_
Oceanharp/Waterphone.
The Royal Conservatory of Music here in Toronto recently announced they are expanding with a Chinese instrument stream which is interesting to see.

Herman Witkam · Post by **Herman Witkam** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:55 pm

topaz wrote:Hi Herman

I just met a guy in the UK that had a zurna from lark in the morning, he paid good money for it..I saw the same thing in turkey in gift shops for $10.

Are you sure it is a similar instrument? Looks can deceive, and most Zurnas look alike to me. Anyway, if he's in the UK he could've ordered from: www.duduk.co.uk
Besides the Duduks they sell pro Zurnas, both made by Armenian master Arthur Grigoryan.

My experience with Lark in the Morning is generally positive btw. I got my first Duduk there.

topaz · Post by **topaz** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:51 am

Hi Herman

thats me that supplies arthurs instruments, thanks for the reccomendation.

yes it was a Turkish Zurna but the quality was on par with souvineers they sell in turkey for very little money.

I was just a bit confused as they seem to be a pretty major store in the U.S.

Herman Witkam wrote:
topaz wrote:Hi Herman

I just met a guy in the UK that had a zurna from lark in the morning, he paid good money for it..I saw the same thing in turkey in gift shops for $10.
Are you sure it is a similar instrument? Looks can deceive, and most Zurnas look alike to me. Anyway, if he's in the UK he could've ordered from: www.duduk.co.uk
Besides the Duduks they sell pro Zurnas, both made by Armenian master Arthur Grigoryan.

My experience with Lark in the Morning is generally positive btw. I got my first Duduk there.

Herman Witkam · Post by **Herman Witkam** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:25 pm

topaz wrote: Hi Herman

thats me that supplies arthurs instruments, thanks for the reccomendation.

yes it was a Turkish Zurna but the quality was on par with souvineers they sell in turkey for very little money.

I was just a bit confused as they seem to be a pretty major store in the U.S.

ok LOL - In that case, when is the next shipment of silver Ghamish due?

Also, will there be any other keys than A and G available in the future?

topaz · Post by **topaz** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:16 pm

i'm not sure yet, sorry (need to shift some other stock first)

I will be getting other keys and will contact everyone one as soon as I do

all the best

LOL - In that case, when is the next shipment of silver Ghamish due?

Also, will there be any other keys than A and G available in the future?

World Instrument Stores