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Nyckelharpa
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A nyckelharpa (literally "key harp", plural nyckelharpor or sometimes keyed fiddle) is a traditional Swedish musical instrument. It is a string instrument or chordophone. Its keys are attached to tangents which, when the key is depressed, serve as frets to change the pitch of the string.
History
On the face of it, the nyckelharpa might seem similar to a fiddle or the bowed Byzantine lira.
Discussion
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Encyclopedia
A nyckelharpa (literally "key harp", plural nyckelharpor or sometimes keyed fiddle) is a traditional Swedish musical instrument. It is a string instrument or chordophone. Its keys are attached to tangents which, when the key is depressed, serve as frets to change the pitch of the string.
History
On the face of it, the nyckelharpa might seem similar to a fiddle or the bowed Byzantine lira. In fact, it is not very closely related to that instrument, but rather to the hurdy gurdy. The oldest indication of nyckelharpa playing is a relief near one of the gates to Källunge church on Gotland from about 1350 showing two fiddles – presumingly nyckelharpor of European origin. Other very early pictures were found in Hildesheim (Germany) and in Siena (Italy). During the 16th and 17th centuries, the ’Schlüsselfidel’ was known in Germany, or at least the idea comes from there. The Swedish province of Uppland has been a stronghold for nyckelharpa music since the late 16th century, including the 1960s revival which drew on musicians like Byss-Calle (1783–1847) from Älvkarleby.
Changes by August Bohlin (1877–1949) in 1929/1930 made the nyckelharpa chromatic and straight, making it a more violin-like and less of a bourdon instrument. The best-known modern nyckelharpa player was probably Eric Sahlström (1912–1986), who was a major player, composer and builder of the mid 20th century. He helped re-popularize the instrument by his playing. In spite of these innovations, the nyckelharpa's popularity declined until the 1960s roots revival.
Since then the development of the number of players, the playing and the building of instruments have been rapid. Presently there are about 20.000 players in Sweden, of all levels. The list of prominent players is long. Sture Sahlström, brother of Eric, Hans Gille (also one of the best builders) and Nils Nordström are important members of "the old guard".
Since the 1990's nyckelharpa is one of the instruments you can study at the folk music department (established 1976) of the Royal College of Stockholm (Kungliga Musikhögskolan), both to become a musician or a teacher (Master of Education).
The nyckelharpa has been a prominent part of several revival groups later in the century, especially the trio Väsen, the more contemporary group Hedningarna, the Finnish folk music group Hyperborea and the Swedish folk music group Dråm.
Since the 1970's the nyckelharpa has become more and more popular, even outside of Sweden and in different music styles. Marco Ambrosini (Italy, Germany) plays the nyckelharpa in early music as well as in contemporary music. By his suggestions the French nyckelharpa builders Jean-Claude Condi and Annette Osann developed a type of nyckelharpa based on their experience as violin makers. Jean-Claude Condi also worked on the developing of the bow.
Technique
Traditionally, and presently, the nyckelharpa is played with a strap around the neck, stabilized by the right arm. Preferably you play standing, but you hold it exactly the same way when sitting.
Didier François, violinist and nyckelharpist from Belgium, invented his own technique of playing the nyckelharpa. Holding the nyckelharpa vertically in front of his chest, he can move both arms more naturally and relaxed. This results in a different sound of the instrument. Using a violin bracket to keep the nyckelharpa away from the body it can swing freely and sounds more open. Didier François was stimulated to this technique by the violin style of Arthur Grumiaux.
Variants
There are at least four variants of the nyckelharpa still played today, varying by the number and arrangement of keys, number and arrangement of strings, and general body shape. The dominating type, by far, is the so called "chromatic nyckelharpa", with the melody strings tuned A1 - C1 - g, a drone C (from the highest to the lowest string) that you only touch occasionally, and 12 resonance strings (one for each step of the chromatic scale).
The resonance strings, or sympathetic strings, which were added to the instrument during the 2nd half of the 16th century, are not bowed directly but resonate with the other strings. During all times the instrument has had one or more drone strings.
Trivia
The artwork on the Swedish 50 kronor banknote has a musical theme, the back of the note featuring a nyckelharpa, and the front a portrait of Swedish opera-singer Jenny Lind.
See also
External links
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