Description:
The
tremoloa is a plucked chordophone and the member of the “guitar-zither”
family of instruments. This instrument was inspired from the increasing
popularity of Hawaiian music during the 1920s in mainland North
America. The first patent was issued to Harold Finney a principle in
the International Music Corp and John H. Large in 1932 who also
received a patent for the Ukelin. The tremoloa enjoyed a brief exposure
for 25 years. The price of this instrument during the early part of the
20th century up to the 1950s ranged from $30.xx to $45.xx (American
dollars) per instrument. A serial number stamped on the back of the instrument determines the manufacturing date and batch per
instrument made.
Playing Techniques: Each
group of four playing strings are tuned according to chords of C, G, F
and D. With in each chord the first two strings are tuned an octave
apart. This arrangement in tuning the tremoloa provides the ability for
the strings to be plucked as a chord. The melody is played on a single
string this is acheived by a weighted rolling mechanism attached to an
arm that is attached to the back of the tremaloa. The chorded strings
are plucked with the right hand. Decals featuring the markings of the
tunings and scales are placed in accordance to the location of the
playing and drone strings.
Anatomy of the Tremoloa: The construction of the tremaloa is
quite unique amongst the American guitar-zither family. The sound box
is built in an equidistant trapezoidal shape having a single sound hole
on the top surface of the instrument. This is due to a moving metal arm
where a weight is attached underneath the arm and comes into contact
with the playing strings.