singelsträngat

Singelsträngat is a term used in Swedish-language musicology to describe instruments or playing styles that revolve around a single primary string. The word combines singel (single) and sträng (string) with the adjectival suffix -at, and is used to discuss a class of instruments where melody is carried primarily by one string.

In practice, singelsträngat instruments typically feature one main playable string, with other components of the instrument providing resonance, a drone, or sympathetic effects rather than the melody. Playing techniques vary and can include plucking, bowing, or striking, depending on the instrument’s construction. The design often emphasizes clear articulation on the main string while auxiliary elements contribute timbral or rhythmic support.

Common characteristics include a compact or simple resonator body, a mechanism for stopping the main string to alter pitch, and, in some cases, drone strings or sympathetic strings that are not intended to carry the primary melody. The approach favors a straightforward melodic line on the principal string, with accompaniment produced by the instrument’s body, by additional strings, or by performer technique.

Historically, singelsträngat concepts appear in various regional folk traditions and have been referenced in discussions of instrumental morphology and texture. In contemporary contexts, the term is more often used descriptively or theoretically rather than to name a widely recognized instrument category. It occasionally appears in experimental and educational settings to illustrate principles of single-string melody and resonant accompaniment.

See also: Monochord, Single-stringed instruments, Drone in music, Folk instrument classification.