How much does a nyckelharpa cost?
If you get lucky you may find a few instruments available in the less than $1500 price range. It is not uncommon for a beginner nyckelharpa kit (nyckelharpa, bow and case) to be about $2500 (plus shipping).
What is the nyckelharpa made out of?
The highest melody string was of twisted silk and the highest drone of an overspun silk string. In the 1860s, the nyckelharpa got an extra row of keys for chords like the then new accordions, and used silver-wound strings, which had recently come into production.
Is it hard to play nyckelharpa?
The players of the nyckelharpa are very builder-specific. You see that there are more players of the instrument who live near the builders. I don’t think that the nyckelharpa will ever become a well known instrument. It’s not like a fiddle, it’s not like a guitar, it’s very hard to make and the sound is very specific.
How long does it take to learn nyckelharpa?
One year of training consists generally of 6 teaching modules (five 2.5 days and also the 3.5-day International Days of the Nyckelharpa).
How old is the nyckelharpa?
However, it turns out that the nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish instrument, and over 600 years old. The modern nyckelharpa has 16 strings. Three of the strings play melody and one is a drone string. The remaining 12 strings are tuned to the chromatic scale, and add a haunting resonance to the music.
Who invented Nyckelharpa?
August Bohlin
The Modern Chromatic Nyckelharpa August Bohlin made one of the first 3-row nyckelharpas in 1926, after being frustrated that he couldn’t play along with the fiddle players he was meeting down at Skansen in Stockholm, where he worked during the summer of 1925.
What does a kantele sound like?
bell-like sound
The kantele has a distinctive bell-like sound. The Finnish kantele generally has a diatonic tuning, though small kanteles with between 5 and 15 strings are often tuned to a gapped mode, missing a seventh and with the lowest pitched strings tuned to a fourth below the tonic, as a drone.
How many strings does a nyckelharpa?
Nyckelharpas have 12 sympathetic strings that run below the primary bowed strings. These strings are standard Guitar strings, and we’ve selected the D’Addario brand as the preferred brand.
How many strings are on a nyckelharpa?
Nyckelharpas have 12 sympathetic strings that run below the primary bowed strings. These strings are standard Guitar strings, and we’ve selected the D’Addario brand as the preferred brand. There are three ways to configure your sympathetic strings and we sell these three as packages.
Where can I buy nyckelharpa strings?
Vermont Violins is the Best Source of Nyckelharpa strings in the United States! Not a big claim…one of the only sources! The Nyckelharpa is an ancient traditional instrument of Sweden, bowed like a fiddle but the strings are stopped with keys instead of fingers much like a hurdy-gurdy.
What does “a reasonable price” mean when buying a nyckelharpa?
“A reasonable price” really means “compared to what you might pay for another instrument of similar quality.” These days, it’s quite easy to find a new nyckelharpa to buy, and used instruments should be judged accordingly. If the instrument for sale is by a known maker, find out what his or her new instruments cost.
Does the Ana sell nyckelharpas?
Please note that the ANA does not sell nyckelharpas directly, nor does it favor or endorse any one of the following sources over any other. This page is merely intended to be a help those not living in Sweden who are interested in buying a nyckelharpa. In an effort to help deter e-mail harvesters, e-mails are not listed as links.
What is a nyckelharpa bow?
Our Nyckelharpa bow is finely crafted by Gewa Music in Germany from quality woods. The bow is closer to a Baroque violin bow in design, though significantly shorter at 38 cm. It is well-balanced and responsive!