Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK

Subject: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:14 AM

Three nyckelharpa players (including me) got together in London this weekend. We did a very short set for a Swedish dance demo at a dance festival (which was just as well as we couldn't hear each other and got out of time). We spent the rest of the weekend playing and sharing tunes - heaven!

I've heard of another recent purchase and two who are very nearly on the point of in Yorkshire! This is getting exciting.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:16 AM

Wahts a nickelharper?

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:28 AM

Search threads on:

harpa

... since thre are so many spellings.

~S~

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:38 AM

A nyckelharpa is a Swedish key-fiddle. Related to the hurdy gurdy but played with a very short bow and fingered from round the side and underneath the instrument instead of over the top!

Sounds like a viola in a catherdral.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 03:01 PM

I'll bet Sam Pirt was one of you, eh, Sarah?

That's great that you all got together and showed people what they are and how they sound. I think they are fascinating.

Goodonya!

kat

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Ralphie
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 03:07 PM

GUEST Sarah..

You Yorkshire folk don't hold the monopoly on Harpas...
Have just bought one for my girlfriend in Faversham Kent!!
So, next time you come down to the "Sinful Sarf" please let me know, and I'll pass on the news to Barbara.

Good luck with the playing...It really is a bugger to play though!

Ralphie (sticking to the Duet Tina!)

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Gray D
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 07:35 PM

We just saw (I kid you not) Richie Blackmore's favourite medieval band. They're called The Geysers, they're from Germany and they may still be on tour in the UK.

"Whyfor you tellin' us that, Gray?" I hear you ask. 'Cos there is a damfine nickleharpa player amongst them; an' the woodwind/bagpipe/hurdygurdy player's not too shabby either (extraordinary bass voice, too).

Go and have a listen if your not a purist medieval music fan. If you are a purist, be warned that the player of the large madolin thing puts blues chords underneath some of the tunes.

Oh, and don't sit next to the percussionist, like we did, unless you don't want to hear the others very well, which we didn't.

Gray D

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Gray D
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 07:37 PM

I meant ". . . if you're not a purist . . .", obviously.

Gray D

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: John P
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 10:01 PM

My wife has been playing the nyckelharpa for several years now, although she doesn't do much Swedish music on it. It's great for medieval music and French music, and she's done some Scottish tunes, some Bulgarian, and some Appalachian music on it. Very cool instrument. There's a few other players here in Seattle, although they all seem very focused on the Swedish stuff.

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 10:59 PM

Here is everything you always wanted to know about nyckelharpas but were too smart to ask. :>)

Enjoy.

A

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: open mike
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:01 PM

yes those durned swedes think they own the nyckelharpa!!
(well, that's cuz they do!!)
I was in seattle this spring with my new harpa
and the folks there are very involved in Swedish
traditional tunes...even have a music library full
of research from Gordon Tracie to prove it!
(in the Nordic Heritage museum!)
And they bring the best swedish musicians over here
to give workshops!
I also got a swedish trio booked at the World Music festival
in grass valley this summer...but unfortunately could
not attend as i was in sweden at a nyuckelharpa festival!!
I am planning on bringing a nyckelharpa player
(my teacher, Tim Rued, from Manteca) to Butte
county for Santa Lucia day! yes it is a conspiricy--
they're every where! they're everywhere!!

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,Possible UK meet!
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 05:12 AM

Hi again,

Don't suppose Yorkshire has a monopoly, but probably the largest potential group in the UK within a 70 mile radius (currently at least four and two more potentials).

Ho Kat, Sam wasn't there.

Ralphie - it is one of those instruments that I haven't had too much difficulty with as I play fiddle and keyboard and this puts the two together. Hope your girlfriend is enjoying being a player.

For any other UK harpas out there - the Scandinavian Festival in Settle 2004 will have at least three of us, more if you guys turn up. Once the funding is sorted that is. If it goes ahead the dates will be across May Day bank holiday. Phil Kean is hoping to entice a nyckelharpa player over for us. Those of you who also play fiddle, there will be plenty of workshops - and those of you who dance, plenty of those workshops too.

The event is run by Yorkshire Dales Workshops.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 05:13 AM

Ooops - that last one was from me - typing slightly awry today!

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 05:17 AM

So where do you buy them? That website was very enticing.

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Ralphie
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 06:13 AM

GUEST Sarah.

Will bear next year in mind!.and forgive the thread creep here...My band (PJD) will be playing at Pete Coes club in Ripponden on 25th Nov. Barbara is coming up too, and would love to meet other "Harpa" players. So, if you're anywhere nearby...please get in touch!

Happy Scraping/Keying....whatever !

Regards Ralphie

Oh PS Guest KB...I had to go to Gothenburg to get mine, but, I hear that there is a maker in Dover apparently...Will try to get more info.

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 06:31 AM

Ralphie,

I'm only over the hill from Ripponden (Meltham) so I might be able to make it to that gig. No promises though as that is a heavy week for me (recording for three days from Fri.

KB - got my harpa from Lief Alpsjo in Sweden - he is a middle man for some of the makers and he also plays and teaches. He has a website which is also in English.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: open mike
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 03:04 AM

Lief's site is probably this: www.nyckelharpa.com
also has a currency exchange feature.
I got a bow from him in Österbybruk.

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 09:18 PM

An interesting night in store on the 25th at Ripponden, then!

:0)

Subject: RE: Nyckelharpa wave hits the UK
From: open mike
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 02:36 PM

see other thread reagrding swedish performance in Northern Calif.