10 Things No One Told You About Nyckelharpa

[@andrewharmon7929]

I built a travel case for my sister's Harpa. It's a monster! Covered with fancy black tolex, contoured dense foam interior, with lush red velvet, and brass fittings. I may be buried in it, when my time comes!

[@gregpastic6910]

So glad I found your channel! I lived in Stockholm from 1978-1980 for music studies and during those three years I met a few 'early' revivers of the nyckelharpa. I fell in love with the instrument. At a workshop I met a man named Herold Lundin. He was one of the first modern nyckelharpa builders. We became friends (he was like my grandpa!) and he invited me to build my own instrument in his shop. It took me a year even with his generous help! I also bought one of his beautiful instruments which I still have but don't play often enough. You've inspired me to spend more time with my harpa. Thank you!

[@davidwright8432]

I just 'discovered' the nyckelharpa about half an hour ago. To my ear, an indispensable part of its charm, is the resonance. But as a contraption, as a piece of mechanism - sublime! PS - sounds great, too! Thanks for the video.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thank you Emelie. This is the first time I have seen a nyckelharpa

[@dessiplaer]

Thanks for the information. I love this instrument, and I learned a lot about it.

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

Two or three decades ago, I found a record label from Minneapolis, that sold Nordic music. I bought a handful of albums....Norwegian and Swedish stuff. Since then, I've been somewhat curious about the nyckelharpa, but hadn't gotten around to actually looking into it. I could see that it's a very complicated instrument, harder than a hurdygurdy or violin. Thanks for all the info.

[@anetherealpursuit]

Thank you for this! I got my nyckelharpa in 2019 and I’ve found the main barrier to improving on the instrument is the back pain. I’ll be working on exercising my back more so I have the strength to sustain it, as I really want to get back into playing again! Also I live in New Zealand so there aren’t so many of us around 😅 so your videos are of great help to me!

[@EmelieWaldken]

Oh no, so sad to hear that back pain is such a serious problem for you with this instrument. It IS tricky on that point, but there are a few solutions, so I hope you can find some that help. All the best =)

[@facts68]

@@EmelieWaldkenNoticed the Jewish horns on the top shelf, are you Jewish? Or do Scandinavians also play them?

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@facts68 These are Swedish kohorn and bockhorn, very similar to Jewish shofar in every technical way, just not played for ceremonies but for casual music here in Scandinavia =)

[@CristinaMarshal]

My favorite corner of the vast - vast web! And speaking of vastness, this precious Instrument withholds much, so much beauty!

[@EmelieWaldken]

I'm really touched, thank you !! And I agree, the nyckelharpa is so full of beautiful music !

[@littleeggy3393]

Very informative. A lovely clear video. I came here after a friend said she’d taken up this fascinating instrument about a year ago and was very keen on it. I think I might be tempted if I was 25 years old and a fiddle player! For now I will enjoy listening rather than playing…..

[@EmelieWaldken]

There's no limit age for starting to play a new instrument, you know =)

[@pagophilus]

Carrying - hard case with foam padding. Johannes Mayr sells a Thomann one as an option when purchasing from him. I thought of getting a local business to make a custom one for me, but he suggested that purchasing one with the nyckelharpa was a good idea as it would make transporting it half way around the world to me much safer. Yes, it's heavy.

[@javi9038]

¡¡Fascinante instrumento!! Tu pasion por nychelharpa es contagiosa. Gran homenaje🎵🎼🎶🎻

[@LMB2301]

Kingham MTM (made to measure) in the UK make instrument cases to measure, so it could be worth approaching them. I play Renaissance lute where there is no standard size either, I got my hard cases from this firm. There's a similar firm in Spain, they are cheaper but I find they are heavier, so if the instrument is already heavy, you don't want a heavy case too! Kingham cases are relatively lightweight.

[@EmelieWaldken]

Thanks a lot for the tip !

[@howardboyer9092]

That means it would be like a Indian Sitar a 12harmonic 6 active string instrument

[@CristinaMarshal]

Also, a befitting brochure for Sweden would be: Come to Sweden! Take leisure time, sample the delicious foods, meet the amiable people!; Also, live with a highly intrinsic instrument that requires you to have a hardy back and a harpa-builder living not too far from you (Preferably in your back yard) and you've got yourself a passionate Swedish Folkie Band!

[@EmelieWaldken]

Very accurate XD

[@jensaskengren2905]

You can build a case similar to the wooden box using carbon fiber slabs and aluminium. The padding could be made from laser cut foam matching the body of your nyckelharpa perfectly. You should definitely be able to find a local shop making custom cases like this. For a professional that travels it might make sense to pay for such a case.

[@EmelieWaldken]

It is very doable, BUT it requires materials, knowledge and social connections to the right nerdy Makers... and not every nyckelharpa player has all that =) Myself, I haven't yet found people who could do this for me.

[@Eldrvak]

Great video and am extremely impressed at your 4 rows! i bet it plays beautifully

[@EmelieWaldken]

Thank you ! Yes I love the sound and playability of it !

[@BengtNordsten]

As for cases, ALWAYS haunt every nearby instrument shop you can get to! I needed a case to safely pack my old bouzouki, which just "sloshes around" in a standard guitar case -- he thought for a moment, and brought out a dusty cheap Flying V case that fits PERFECT. 😁 If you're a touring professional, you really NEED to have a custom-built case (with IMO composite or fiberglass sides, aluminum framework, fitted interior, and definitely WHEELS) for maybe EUR 1000... but you could also find a solid used box for keyboard or pedals or something that fits very well -- I have an old Akai keyboard case that is about right but so shallow there'd be almost no room for padding.

[@mogg3]

Got myself a nyckelharpa late last year and started playing like two-three months ago. All these tips & tricks videos you make are amazing for getting to know the instrument. Thank you. :) I actually made my own hardcase out of plywood for the harp to be able to protect and lug it around, and it gets heavy quite fast, especially since I haven't found a good handle to put on it yet. 😅 But I am thinking about experimenting a bit with lighter and maybe even a bit thinner plywood to see how that would work.

[@EmelieWaldken]

I think the easiest way to carry around a wooden case, aside giving it a handle, is to wrap it in a sort of harness made of heavy-duty straps (like bag straps). Also the only way to carry it on one's back probably. Glad to hear my videos are useful to you on your nyckelharpa journey =)

[@mogg3]

@@EmelieWaldken Ahh yeah that sounds like something to try out actually. I'll have to see what I can make out of it. :)

[@Seregium]

I think it will be easier to add a pair of wheels

[@Spacecookie-]

All you need is to borrow Mary Poppins' umbrella to carry your Nyckelharpa with you.

[@EmelieWaldken]

It's my birthday quite soon, if anyone wants to send me one of these =P

[@williamsurname4669]

I don't have a Nyckelharpa, but I like how they look and sound.

[@guitarandharmonicaman]

Hi Emelie. 😊 Thanks for this video. You are very impressing. I am just making a hard box for a special instrument, that I am just getting ready. 🤔 The box will be about 6 mm plywood. The idea comes from a bag, people use as flying. There are two wheels in the back, a nut in front and a grip. So you can draw the box after you on solid surfaces. 👍 I will soon share a video about the box on my channel. Regards Kari from Finland. ❤

[@Naule01]

A pelican case might be a good option if you don’t want to build one. Pelican cases come in a variety of dimensions. You can get them with pull and pick foam, foam that is divided into blocks that can be pulled out to create a custom fit for whatever you’re putting in the case. Also waterproof!

[@EmelieWaldken]

Never heard of it, where does it come from, who makes it, and what is it intended for in the first place ? :)

[@Naule01]

@@EmelieWaldken Pelican is a US maker of plastic hard cases, they are very tough and when closed are waterproof. They are for anything you might want to put in a case. I’ve bought several over the years for cameras and audio equipment. A long case like you’d want for an instrument would be about $300 USD. You can order it with the pull and pick foam I mentioned or empty and customize it how you like. People build all kinds of things out of them.

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@Naule01 Sounds extremely promising actually ! Thank you very much for the tip !

[@MARCUSSOUNDS]

Yes, that was also my first thought, they also go by the name of Peli Cases. They are super sturdy and can take a punch, waterproof also. Some have wheels, I use a peli 1510 for my electronic instruments, perfect for touring. The only problem really is they come with there own weight.

[@mindbodysaul4382]

Thanx for the information and spirit 😊 Such a wonderful channel!

[@qoph1988]

I can assure you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that nobody has ever told me ANYTHING about nyckelharpa. Not that I wouldn't want to know. The topic does not come up often

[@pRahvi0]

Hejsan från Finland! Thank you for this informative video. I probably won't ever need to know these things but it was nice listening you tell them anyway. '^^ And who knows, maybe I'll start designing and selling proper cases and/or microphones for these one day. :P

[@Kalsiver]

Thanks for the informations!❤

[@musicanimation-ss4hl]

Please, where can I get this instrument to buy? Do you also teach classes? Thanks!

[@paulbecket7399]

oooooo! time to make some fiberglass rolling cases!

[@ArabianJirds]

Thank you so much for this video, it definitely hits a nerve :D I am a beginner myself and I am still kind of struggling finding my playing position. Since I broke my right elbow, I've got some difficulties moving the right arm. Right now, it looks like I am dancing with my Nyckelharpa so I can play all the strings in the right angle. Luckily I can't see myself, so I don't now, how ridiculous it looks... :D Looking forward to your next video, you are a great inspiration for me :)

[@EmelieWaldken]

"Hits a nerve" I guess the pun was intended ^^ And yes, finding a good position, which allows to hit all the strings and keys while being comfortable is HARD on this instrument ! Wishing you good luck with it ^^

[@doremifadi]

Very informative! thank you!

[@Lexcoaster]

Awesome instrument! And I love how you pronounce 'angle'. 😄

[@EmelieWaldken]

Haha okej, why ??

[@Lexcoaster]

@@EmelieWaldken A very Swedish 'a'. 😀

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@Lexcoaster Okay ^^' If you say so !

[@robban3954]

Very informative video! :D Thanks for sharing!

[@granolasong6994]

A lot of things to put me off getting into the nyckelharpa. 😊 I love the sound of it but think I’ll stick to the fiddle in the foreseeable future!

[@miroevermoss]

Absolutely lovely and super informative for person like me who dream of owning nyckelharpa, but never touched one ❤

[@EmelieWaldken]

So glad to hear ! And I hope you can get a nyckelharpa soon =)

[@miroevermoss]

@@EmelieWaldken As soon as I have a place to call a Home...and ofcourse the finances, I am getting one 😌🙏

[@pagophilus]

Re precision, you also can adjust the finger pressure for intonation, especially if it's incredibly hard to tune the tangents super precisely and you don't want to unscrew the whole keybox. There may be one or two notes that you need to press a bit harder or a bit less.

[@EmelieWaldken]

Yep, I made a video about that technique kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJe0ZWeipaljqc0

[@BengtNordsten]

I've always wanted to learn nikkelharpa. Speaking as an all-round frets player, some great advice here, particularly stretching (before, during, after playing AND throughout the rest of your day particularly after a long playing session!) AND exercise. I would add: DEFINITELY find a good chiropractor, one that suits your needs very well. Years of wearing heavy guitars for hours at a time has pulled my upper back laterally out of line (C3-C5). I found a chiro who specializes in sports injuries. He said, "Oh, yeah, I see that all the time in hockey players." 😁 I go in every 2-3 months for a "maintenance" visit, more if I wrench my spine out of place, and I'm back to excellence in less than a half-hour.

[@davidsunderland8063]

You have inspired me💛 to make one with bigger keys💛

[@davidsunderland8063]

And a matching mic😄💛

[@EmelieWaldken]

Glad to inspire you to try things and explore what works for you =D

[@jmozart198]

I cant wait to lean to play this beautiful instrument.

[@countess.draculaura]

Amazing amazing amazing! I'm getting a Nyckelharpa from a Swedish maker and I'm so happy I found your channel! I'd love to know how one can write their own music using a Nyckelharpa ☺️ would it be similar to other instruments?

[@EmelieWaldken]

Yes you can absolutely write music with the nyckelharpa in mind / on the nyckelharpa. It's not different from a viola, basically. I usually write in violin key (G clef) though.

[@countess.draculaura]

@EmelieWaldken Great! Thank you so much for replying! 💕

[@ricardinskiy]

Bello instrumento and the sounds is pleasant. I would like to have this instrument, but it would be difficult to think of getting one here in Bolivia.

[@glenrobinson916]

Ha, ha, I enjoyed this. Thank you. Hey do.

[@jsanledes]

Eres muy buena comunicadora, ¡felicidades!

[@EmelieWaldken]

Gracias !

[@BengtNordsten]

While I'm here: Has anyone tried reversing the bow, as with the tagelharpa? I asked a friend (orchestra violinist) for input, and she suggested "maybe cello style not violin" -- though perhaps under-hand instead (she studied renaissance instruments a bit).

[@EmelieWaldken]

Yes it is a technique, some nyckelharpa players (mostly coming from cello or perhaps double-bass) use it. It is shown in my video about how to hold the instrument kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKu3pp6Dhr-FgpY

[@dididoo]

I reply "oooh yeeesss!" To all you comments!🤣😏🤭

[@DestinationBarbarism]

Must be a solution for backstrap the case. Maybe try to buy old military rucksack, like internetsearch for "ryggsäck bärram" or some such?

[@slowcreep6978]

I would kill for one of these, but they're expensive and hard to find.

[@mindbodysaul4382]

Thanx for the information anf positive

[@hannafiddler]

Emelie: "It's going to be a semi-tone difference, and that clashes a heck lot" Hanna: "Okay, so what exactly is the problem...?" :p

[@EmelieWaldken]

Most people don't play modal stuff with lots of build-in semitone tensions, dear ^^

[@nicolafattorini3841]

I would love to hear your version of polska efter Sven Donat, I think you could make a lovely one.

[@EmelieWaldken]

I've been considering it for years and practicing that tune, but never got it fully smooth. Magnus Holmström's version is such a perfect one...

[@nicolafattorini3841]

@@EmelieWaldken well I hope to listen to Emelie's version too in the future :)

[@nicolafattorini3841]

@@EmelieWaldken kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZXam6GhbKuCors I did really enjoy this ensemble version of it

[@mattiasthorslundjonsson1929]

Couldn't some of the keys have a little "nub" or bump on them (or a groove), so you could feel when your hand is in the correct place? Like my computer keyboard has nubs on the F and J keys.

[@jamesrobertson6860]

Hi Emelie. What sort of mount do you have on your t.Bone microphone. Is it the cello mount? Thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@EmelieWaldken]

Yes, the cello one !

[@jamesrobertson6860]

Thank you so much! You are wonderful!

[@nicolafattorini3841]

I love this video so much

[@FSEAirboss]

Thanks for the great overview of such a unique instrument. I wonder...would something like what marching bass drummers use to carry their drum would allow the weight to be more evenly spread and perhaps allow the strap to not quite be in the way as much (or a single pressure point). Just a thought and you could decorate it so its not so...marching band looking :D

[@EmelieWaldken]

I don't actually know the contraption you're talking about, but a friend of mine uses a saxophone structure that puts the weight of the instrument onto a belt.

[@FSEAirboss]

@@EmelieWaldken HI Emelie, try searching for "Bass Drum Harness" Its as simple as just Crossed (X) straps, to rigid plastic metal contraptions. Its designed to use both shoulders/full back support. I'd put a link, but think YT doesn't allow that. Hope you are having a great day.

[@aldebaran3700]

Hi I'm new here 😁 where did you buy this big nickelharpa ?

[@YouPeasant888]

I think Vicki Swann uses aluminum flight cases with carved foam.

[@EmelieWaldken]

I will ask her !

[@YouPeasant888]

@@EmelieWaldken kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnXaaIt3mstopac

[@Hin_Håle]

Many useful tips and good information, thanks! I recently bought a nyckelharpa and have started to learn. I reckoned that it would be harder than I anticipated and BOY was I right. 😅 I'll be digging around for more of your videos and taking detailed notes. Btw, is that a säckpipa I see on the shelf? 😃

[@EmelieWaldken]

It's a drone of a säckpipa yes ! Wishing you patience and progress on your nyckelharpa adventure then ^^

[@DestinationBarbarism]

Go to the gym and weight lift. Increasing max strength is best protection against wear. Don't have to overdo it but it really works.

[@NataliaBazj]

Wheel 🛞! Did someone already write that the heavy case must have wheels?

[@EmelieWaldken]

Haha no, never heard of that ^^ Not a bad idea tho

[@JustFiddler]

ah baru tahu aku. Matur suksma

[@catholicdoula]

How do you play the keys?

[@bgardunia]

Can you play it like a cello with the keys upright?

[@EmelieWaldken]

Doable but not the most practical. The keys fall down by gravity, so if you want to hold it completely vertical (like a cello) you'll need a special thing: a little piece of metal behind each key acting as a spring, to push the key back into neutral position.

[@user3141592635]

Vad händer om två svarta hål roterar och förlorar energi genom så kallade gravitationsvågor ? Jag skojar förstås.

[@JustFiddler]

is it possible to making carbon fiber nycelharp ?

[@EmelieWaldken]

No idea ^^ Try it and tell us !

[@pqsnet]

My dad plays Nyckelharpa, or at least have one... And i play the violin. Ive tried nyckelharpa, but find it difficult, since on the violin, your hand follow the bow, meaning, playing from G-E strings your bow and hands move from top (G) to bottom (E). But on the Nyckelharpa, its the opposites. When the bow goes up the fingers move down on the keys... So, why are nyckelharpor constructed like this?

[@pqsnet]

And are there nyckelharpor constructed the other way, meaning the bow and finger/keys are arranged the same as on a violin? Shouldnt be hard to just reconfigure the keys.

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@pqsnet I see what you mean. Yes, there are nyckelharpas on which the left hand goes the same "direction" as on violin : the Tord Johansson nyckelharpas ! These are very rare though. I personally just worked through the adjusting time and now the "nyckelharpa direction" of the left hand feels just as natural as the violin's =)

[@pqsnet]

@@EmelieWaldken Hmm, yes i guess its a practice and by time natural coming thing. But the instruments i would like to play are so different. I got Nyckelharpa, vevlira and accordion/dragspel on my list.. And i really make it hard for my self... I see you have a vevlira in the background. Do you have any good advice? I heard Johannes Gewokian in a church in Sörmland and was hooked on that instrument.

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@pqsnet Vevlira (hurdy-gurdy) is having a similar keyboard to a piano, so it's completely different from nyckelharpa (despite looking quite similar). Also the left hand is in the opposite way (facing down), so it's REALLY confusing - to me at least. It's the trickiest of my instruments to play for me. I guess it's, as usual, "just" a question of practice and patience...

[@emmanuels7723]

Well as a cellist I have trouble playing violin for the same exact reason... Plus we get a lot of movement between positions compared to what you have on violins.... So maybe nyckelharpa would be easier for cellist in general ?

[@amymerrill1550]

BagLuthier from Spain make nyckelharpa cases to measure.

[@williamwurthmann1573]

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIND ONE?

[@bhaktsuva]

has anybody built nyckelharper for left handed musician?

[@EmelieWaldken]

Yes !! They're rare but they exist ! Most builders can build them - and I'm pretty sure the Nerdyharpa can be built left-handed quite easily, too.

[@aaronchambers9888]

Related to a sitar?

[@EmelieWaldken]

Not really, but the concept of resonance strings is POSSIBLY coming from India/Rajasthan, imported to Europe at the end of the Renaissance period (give or take a century).

[@_echo_off]

Damn fiddle! lol

[@howardboyer9092]

Try not bowing it and holding it like a violin Instead set the bottom down like a string bass bow it from the left like a string bass keys up key it up or down

[@erikhiltunen4697]

Happy Nyckelharpa day!

[@erikhiltunen4697]

By the way, the “hitting the adjacent key” is very relatable for hammered dulcimers, too!

[@EmelieWaldken]

@@erikhiltunen4697 I can imagine !! Been plucking a harp these days and very relatable on these too ^^ Happy That-instrument-you-don't-play-but-are-constantly-surrounded-by Day to you too !

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

BYE! If a shotgun case would work for you? Or maybe the smaller nickelharpa?

[@MrShayed1]

Bangladesh

[@plschwartzx]

You might look into constructing a case by CAD 3D printing. You "build" your model on the computer. 3D printing extrudes a plastic material in thin layers, following computer instructions. In its own way, this procedure seems very much a handicraft.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Like deployed 👍

[@vladimir_violin]

i like you) interesting video

[@Medic1170]

This girl should've been Silvie from LOKI...

[@Normanskie]

Getting hard work, living in an apartment surrounded by other residents you have to keep the noise down, but then can hardly hear you once the loud music stops, sorry as it looked really interesting but alas don't want the landlord on my back. Still gave you a thumbs up though.

[@choomanfoo]

Just get on with it!

[@tonyfrench2574]

We heard her but not the instrument