Nyckelharpor

The nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish musical instrument. It is a keyed fiddle, meaning that instead of the player's fingers directly pressing down on the strings, they use a set of keys to change the pitch. The nyckelharpa typically has 16 strings, divided into three sets: melody strings, drone strings, and sympathetic strings. The melody strings are played with a bow, while the drone strings are played continuously to provide a harmonic background. The sympathetic strings are not played directly but vibrate in resonance with the other strings, adding a rich, ethereal quality to the sound.

The instrument has a long history in Sweden, with its origins dating back to at least the Middle Ages. Early nyckelharpor were simpler, but over centuries, the design evolved to the more complex instrument known today. It is closely related to other keyed fiddles found in various European folk traditions. The nyckelharpa was once a widespread folk instrument but fell into decline in the early 20th century. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant revival of interest in the instrument, both in Sweden and internationally. Nyckelharpa players are now found in many countries, and the instrument is used in a variety of musical genres, from traditional folk music to contemporary compositions.