What is the Nyckelharpa used for?
A nyckelharpa (Swedish: [ˈnʏ̂kːɛlˌharːpa], “keyed fiddle”, or literally “key harp”, plural nyckelharpor) is a traditional Swedish musical instrument. It is a string instrument or chordophone. Its keys are attached to tangents which, when a key is depressed, serve as frets to change the pitch of the string.
Where did the Nyckelharpa come from?
The nyckelharpa has been continuously played in the Uppsala region of Sweden since the mid-1600s. There is an early version instrument from the 1680s, called a Moraharpa. There are a total of two instruments of this kind, both were found in the Älvdalen Parish, near Mora.
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 family is the nyckelharpa in?
The nyckelharpa belongs to the same instrument family as the French vielle and the English hurdy gurdy.
How does the Nyckelharpa make sound?
Each key has a tangent that reaches up and stops (frets) a string to make a particular note. The player uses a short bow with the right hand, and pushes on the keys with the left. It has a 3 octave range (from the same low “G” as a fiddle’s 4th string) and sounds something like a fiddle, only with lots more resonance.
How old is a nyckelharpa?
The Nyckelharpa has existed in one form or another format least 600 years, and is generally considered an instrument of Swedes. Given how Christianity came later to Sweden, its earliest iterations can easily be associated with Norse gods and secular life in the Nordic lands.
Is it hard to play nyckelharpa?
Also, bands and musicians that use the instrument play mostly traditional music. 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. It’s hard to tune as well.
Is a fiddle a violin?
Western classical players sometimes use “fiddle” as an affectionate term for the violin, that intimate companion and workmate. But in the United States, most often “fiddle” means the violin as used in Irish-Scottish-French traditional music and all the descendant American styles: Appalachian, bluegrass, Cajun, etc.
How is a nyckelharpa tuned?
The D-tuning is CGDA. A soprano nyckelharpa is usually tuned in 5ths just like a violin, GDAE. The tenor nyckelharpa is also usually tuned in 5ths, 1-octave below the soprano. The cello or octave nyckelharpa is 1-octave below the standard nyckelharpa and can be either Swedish or D tuned.
How is a nyckelharpa played?
The player uses a short bow with the right hand, and pushes on the keys with the left. Earlier forms of the nyckelharpa had fewer keys, fewer (or no) sympathetic strings, and fewer melody strings, but often made more use of drone strings.
What is a Hurley girly man?
The hurdy-gurdy is an instrument from the sixteenth century. The Hurdy Gurdy Man is a chronicler. The Hurdy Gurdy Man is like a bard. The Hurdy Gurdy Man is any singer-songwriter in any age, whether they were Ireland of whether they were in the streets of New York during the 60s.
