THE DOWNHILL GAMUT
Here is the string range of the diatonic 30-string harp as given by Bunting along with his
Gaelic names for the strings. The spelling has been regularised to a modern form and the
Irish amended where thought appropriate. The system of alphabetical names for pitches is
that associated with the gamut of Guido di Arezzo.
ddd
ccc
bbb
aaa
gg
ff
ee
dd
cc
bb
aa
g
f
e
d
(middle) c
b
a
G
G
F
E
D
C
B
A
(GG) Γ
FF/EE
DD
CC
|
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach [na g]comhlaí
téad an leithghléis
giolla/guaillí téad na feola
téad na feola
an treas téad os cionn [na g]comhlaí
an dara téad os cionn [na g]comhlaí
giolla/guaillí [na g]comhlaí
comhlach, pl. na comhlaí
comhlach
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach téad na feola
freagrach
freagrach
freagrach
[an] crónán
[an] téad leagaidh/leagtha
freagrach
[an] crónán [íochtar?]
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
responsive
the response to the 'sisters'
the string of the semi-tuning
servant/companion of the string of melody
the string of melody
the third string above the 'sisters'
the second string above the 'sisters'
servant/companion of the 'sisters'
'sister', lit. companion, as per Byrne
'sister'
responsive
responsive
response to the string of melody
responsive
responsive
responsive
the drone
the 'falling'/'fallen' string
responsive
the [lower?] drone