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Aymara
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The history of the risha
Hi everybody,
inspired by the great efforts of JDowning regardings the history of the oud, I would like to ask, if there are also historic documentations about the
risha?
Ok, it is said, that the oud was traditionally plucked with an eagle's feather, but what kind? A flying feather or a tail feather? And we can also
find hints about historic rishas made from water buffalo horn.
Regarding feathers ... after giving goose feathers a try, I found out, that it helps much to give the quill's top an equal round shape with a fine
file.
Might that have been done to eagle's feathers in the past too?
Many questions and a very interesting topic, isn't it?
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Aymara
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Let me quote from Wikipedia:
| Quote: | | The Arabs traditionally used thin piece of wood as a plectrum, later replaced by the eagle's feather by Zyriab in Spain (between 822 to 857), other
sources state that he is the first one to use the wooden plectrum. |
As it seems, it might make sense to first do a research about Ziryab:
| Quote: | | Ziryab is said to have improved the Oud (or Laúd) by adding a fifth pair of strings, and using an eagle's beak or quill instead of a wooden pick.
Ziryab also dyed the four string a color to symbolize the Aristotelian humors, and the fifth string to represent the soul. |
The footnote for this quote points to:
Salma Khadra Jayyusi and Manuela Marin (1994), The Legacy of Muslim Spain, p. 117, Brill Publishers, ISBN 9004095993
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Ararat66
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Hi there
| Quote: |
Ziryab is said to have improved the Oud (or Laúd) by adding a fifth pair of strings, and using an eagle's beak or quill instead of a wooden pick.
Ziryab also dyed the four string a color to symbolize the Aristotelian humors, and the fifth string to represent the soul.
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I love the idea of each string having this extra meaning. I wouldn't want to overload meaning - it becomes too heady but it is interesting.
Regarding the soul ... I've been concentrating a lot recently on making each note count as if each is a piece of music in itself. It really focuses
awareness and I can quite easliy see how more dimensions can be encompassed. It also gives me a route that I can pursue right now and at any time
regardless to the development of technique which obviously I have to work at.
Leon
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Aymara
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Hi Leon!
Yes me too.
Ziryab is very interesting, but it seems that it's hard to tell, what is historically correct and what is legend.
PS: HERE we find further info on the string coloration:
| Quote: | | Ziryab colored the highest string yellow (zir), which symbolized bile; the second highest was red (mathnd), for blood, the third white (mathlath), for
phlegm, and the lowest string black (bam), for black bile. The additional fifth string, inserted by Ziryab between mathna and mathlath, symbolized the
soul, since the four body humors, as he maintained, could not exist without the soul. |
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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jdowning
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Dr. G.H. Farmer states that the 'mizrab' (plectrum) introduced by Ziryab was an eagle's talon (claw) instead of wood that was formerly used.
Concerning attributes of string colour, Farmer also notes that many of the early Arabic and Persian writers delight in these kinds of conceits and
fancies - like for example if strings of sheep's gut and wolf's gut are used on an oud there will be no harmony resulting because of the natural
antagonism between these two animals (when living)!
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Aymara
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Quote: Originally posted by jdowning  | Dr. G.H. Farmer states that the 'mizrab' (plectrum) introduced by Ziryab was an eagle's talon (claw) instead of wood that was formerly used.
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A talon? Realy? Might that be a translation error? Because everywhere else is said, that it was an eagles feather. As I mentioned before ... what is
history and what is legend?
My girlfriend has an interesting theory ... she says it might be more likely, that it was a hawk feather (talon?) instead of an eagle's one, because
eagles are not common in Spain.
| Quote: | | ... there will be no harmony resulting because of the natural antagonism between these two animals (when living)! |
Might there be differences in the material itself (gut) too?
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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fernandraynaud
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The important thing is the flex and strength of the material, it's the same issue as on the harpsichord plectrum. Meat-eating raptors have a different
molecular structure in their feathers. "Primary flight feathers" are best, and apparently they flattened big feathers and soaked them in oil to make a
risha. There was a description of the process and a picture of one on the forum, much wider than a wire-tie. They didn't have cool plastics like
Delrin back then:
Delrin has become an increasingly popular material for guitar picks. It has excellent durability; it is much more resistant
to wear than nylon at the point of string contact, especially on round-wound strings. Delrin does not crack or break like celluloid or polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), ... Delrin is also much treasured by many makers and players of harpsichords, being used for the plectra, which pluck the strings when
a key is pressed. Delrin has been found to provide a tonal quality very similar to the bird-quill used in times past, while being far more durable and
consistent.
The animal horn material has a slightly better "snap" and "bite", but isn't as durable or self-lubricating. Delrin is close to perfect, beats other
plastics, in every way. You can spot it by the very glossy surface of the sheet material. Celcon is another brand, same stuff. There's a small
contingent of harpsichordists who prefer to make plectra from crow, raven or hawk feathers, you can buy them, but the players have to oil their
plectra all the time to keep them from breaking -- these guys are EXTREME.
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Aymara
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Interesting hint.
| Quote: | | "Primary flight feathers" are best, ... |
But the quills of tail feathers are thicker and should be more durable, I think ... but they are also longer.
| Quote: | | ... and apparently they flattened big feathers and soaked them in oil to make a risha. |
Aaah, interesting ... should try that with my goose feather, especially the oiling process.
| Quote: | | There's a small contingent of harpsichordists who prefer to make plectra from crow, raven or hawk feathers, you can buy them, but the players have to
oil their plectra all the time to keep them from breaking -- these guys are EXTREME. |
The harpsichord is an interesting comparison ... weren't the first harpsichord's mechanics equipped with feather quills?
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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jdowning
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Eagle beak, eagle talon, eagle feather etc. ? - hard to say what was meant when one does not have access to the early texts or facility in the early
Arabic and Persian languages needed to read them. Most of us can only quote from secondary sources - which may or may not be correct - so best to be
cautious in drawing any conclusions.
Were there eagles in Moorish 'Spain' in the 10th C. - perhaps in the mountainous northern regions? I don't know but, with well established trading
routes in place pretty well any material could have been be imported if not locally available. I am not aware that 'talon' ever translates into
'feather' (in English).
Incidentally there was some discussion on the forum a year or so ago about using goose feathers for risha. I cannot find the thread but as I recall,
the conclusion was that (domesticated) goose quill was too soft and that the wing feathers had to come from wild birds - the act of flying presumably
making the quills tougher. So perhaps wild goose would do as well as eagle, hawk and raven/crow (for harpsichord jacks).
I am not aware of any thread on the forum that fully covers - step by step - the preparation of risha from bird quill.
If anyone has first hand experience who could post instructions - preferably with images - that would be useful information for the benefit of
everyone.
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Aymara
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| Quote: Originally posted by jdowning | Eagle beak, eagle talon, eagle feather etc. ? - hard to say what was meant when one does not have access to the early texts or facility in the early
Arabic and Persian languages needed to read them.
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I think, if any, here was be the translation error and not in English. But who knows, maybe it's not a translation error, but in early transmission,
which might have been originally only oral.
| Quote: | | ... so best to be cautious in drawing any conclusions. |
That's why we often read warnings, that it's hard to tell, which is history and which legend regarding Ziryab.
| Quote: | | Were there eagles in Moorish 'Spain' in the 10th C. - perhaps in the mountainous northern regions? |
I found hints about eagles in the Pyrenees of today, so it's very likely, that there were eagles in 9th C. too, when Ziryab lived in Cordoba.
| Quote: | | I am not aware of any thread on the forum that fully covers - step by step - the preparation of risha from bird quill. If anyone has first hand
experience who could post instructions - preferably with images - that would be useful information for the benefit of everyone.
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I gave goose feathers a try and formed the quill's top with a fine file. I could open such a thread and do further examination, if oiling the quill
has any advantages.
So far I reported about my goose feather experience only HERE.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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DaveH
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making feather rishas
Hi John
I agree, there's a lot of tantalising references but nothing very comprehensive. Somebody out there must know. You probably saw this post of mine listing everything I could find on the forums.
I have a couple of Red Kite feathers marinating in olive oil at the moment. I prepared them according to what I could glean from Ronny Anderson's
posts - he seems to be the main authority on the boards. He uses the Iraqi method which appears to be quite different from the Turkish one. The Iraqi
method uses the pith-filled section of the feather and hardens the pith by soaking in olive oil. The turkish method, as briefly referenced by
twogoodears (referring to Dmitris Rapakousis's work), appears to use the hollow, calamus section, which is bare of barbs, and to split this and
flatten this out. I'd appreciate a more comprehensive description from Ronny and/or twogoodears but in the absence of that, here's a description of
what I did.
I used primary wing feathers - the longest two or three at the tip of the wing. Note, Ronny in one of his posts mentions retrice feathers and implies
these are synonymous with primary feathers. I think there's a mistake here. Retrice refers to the symmetrical tail feathers. Assymetrical wing
feathers are referred to as remiges and the longest of these are the primaries, on the wing tips. I think it's the primaries that are usually
recommended, though I do seem to remember once hearing a reference to tail feathers as well.
First I soaked the kite feathers in cetrimide disinfectant as I was a little concerned about what the Kite had died from!
Next, I cut off the barbs with a scalpel to within a couple of inches of the feather tip.
I then cut off the calamus at the point where the hollow section ends and the shaft starts to be filled with a soft, white pith, which coincided with
the point where the barbs had started (not sure if pith is the technical term). You can see this point fairly easily through the translucent shaft
wall. These feathers are very tough to cut across the grain, even with a substantial-sized scalpel blade. Perhaps a good sign given the intended use.
This left me with the central section of the rachis (shaft), which has a longitudinal groove down one side. I cut longitudinally up the shaft from the
transverse cut, keeping the blade off centre towards the grooved side in order to leave as much as the pith as possible. This cut was gradually
tapered out to leave the top of the shaft intact and about 4 inches of the pith exposed. A scalpel or a very sharp craft knife is necessary here to
avoid rough splitting or tearing.
The shaft was then soaked in olive oil, where it will stay for six months to harden the pith, before being shaped. I'll report back then!
Sorry, I don't have any photos of the actual process but attached are a couple of slightly crude ones of where we're at now.
[file]12444[/file] [file]12442[/file] [file]12440[/file] [file]12446[/file]
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DaveH
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PS. In playing, according to Ronny, the risha is used with the smooth side down and the pith side up, ie using the smooth rachis wall for the
downstroke.
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jdowning
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Sorry DaveH - I must have missed that particular interesting thread - information overload can be a problem on the forum!
It would be great if Ronny could compile a comprehensive thread on this important topic to 'start the ball rolling'.
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Aymara
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Me too ... nice tips to try out 
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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FLIPAX
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| Quote: Originally posted by jdowning |
information overload can be a problem on the forum!
It would be great if Ronny could compile a comprehensive thread on this important topic to 'start the ball rolling'. |
Amazing thread Guys!
I Hope Ronny has some time to spare.
Gracias
Philip
Every time I Hear The Oud, I fall into a Deep Long Trance of Perpetual Bliss!
"Naseem Al Rooh"
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jdowning
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OK found it! The thread that I was looking for Subject:"eagle risha" was posted on this forum by azzizza on 6-20-2007 - further back in time than I
remember.
Tempus fugit!
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fernandraynaud
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The historical value aside, what I was LOOKING for in feather, I expected in horn, based on similarities in molecular structure and physical
properties.
Yes, Aymara, of course the harpsichord was first quilled with ... quill. Quill on metal, horsehair on gut, these are rich, or as the studio kids say,
Phatt sounds. Horn and feather are closely related.
I'm very happy with Cow Horn rishas, they sound good and they solve the plastic-on-plastic problem with the plain nylon strings on the top courses of
the oud. I hope we do get to try some historically informed wwlprepared feather rishas, I would LOVE to be amazed, but I don't expect a giant
improvement over cow horn, which is already a big step over the best plastic to date (Delrin/Celcon/Acetal).
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Aymara
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Those interested just click HERE.
In the meatime I often read, that horn rishas are the best, but also that buffalo horn would be even better.
There are also infos in the eagle risha thread mentioned above.
Oh ... btw ... I found out, that the feathers I used are not goose feathers, but turkey wing feathers.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Ronny Andersson
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ok I will do some post about eagle and horn risha making.
My horn plectrums are different the ones mentioned here in recent post.
I will scan couple of old photos I have of the horn plectrum procedure and start from there. I do not have any photos of the eagle risha making but
can arrange that within some time.
Also would like to say that eagle risha is not necessary better than horn risha, it is also question about different playing technique.
Nice work Dave with the quills!
Best wishes
Ronny
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Aymara
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Especially the later would be very interesting, because horn has a better availability.
And we shouldn't forget protection of species and stay away from eagle feathers.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Ronny Andersson
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| Quote: Originally posted by Aymara |
Especially the later would be very interesting, because horn has a better availability.
And we shouldn't forget protection of species and stay away from eagle feathers. |
Exactly but I am getting my eagle quills legally from a taxidermy studio that have old feathers.
Best wishes
Ronny
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DaveH
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Thanks Ronny. It will be really interesting to see. Info on shaping would be particularly useful for me as that's where I'll be in a few months. I'm
assuming as it's less wide than a conventional risha, the style is to make it thicker (as in between the playing surfaces), but I have no idea really.
By the way Fernandraynaud, did you receive the feather you requested?
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Aymara
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We might also have a chance to get one from a zoo, but from my efforts in species preservation breeding regarding parrots I know, that some people are
real assholes, who don't care about protection of species.
That's why I tried turkey wing feathers instead, which I bought in a handicraft work shop and I think, we should concentrate on feathers of not
endangered birds instead of eagle's.
So the question is, which feathers would be a good substitute or if the horn risha wouldn't be the best choice instead.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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Ronny Andersson
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Check out this recent photo shoot in Moscow 
Sorry for the out of focus but it was a snap shot when the so-called owner of the eagle wanted money for photos.
I think the playing technique with eagle risha is dying out.
Bashirs technique is different the Nasser school and both are Iraqi.
I am looking for substitutes in some other birds quills and have tried goose,turkey and they are not suitable.
Best wishes
Ronny
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Aymara
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That's a "harmless" example of what I was trying to explain. It's a shame, how some people treat animals.
| Quote: | | I am looking for substitutes in some other birds quills and have tried goose, turkey and they are not suitable. |
Bird of prey's feathers seem to be different in some way. It might be interesting to do some research about the how and why.
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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