Seurantaset

Seurantaset is a musical instrument that originated in Finland, particularly in the regions of Northern Karelia and Savo. It is a type of hurdy-gurdy, a stringed instrument that uses a wheel to produce sound when a rosined wheel is turned by hand.

The seurantaset is played horizontally, with the player holding the instrument between their legs and turning the wheel by hand. The instrument has a distinctive sound, often described as mournful or haunting. The seurantaset has a long neck with a fretted fingerboard, typically with three or four strings. The soundbox is usually a carved wooden box, which amplifies the sound of the strings.

Seurantaset were traditionally used in Finnish folk music, particularly in the Satakunta region. They were often played in combination with the kantele, a stringed instrument with a wide, round soundbox. The seurantaset was an important part of traditional Finnish music, particularly among the rural population.

The seurantaset is no longer a commonly played instrument in Finland, although it can still be found in some museums and cultural centers. It is considered an important part of Finland's musical heritage, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote traditional Finnish music, including the seurantaset.

It's worth noting that the seurantaset is a relatively rare and obscure instrument, and there is limited information available about its history and use. However, it is an important part of Finland's musical culture, and its unique sound continues to be celebrated by musicologists and enthusiasts today.