soolukannel

The soolukannel is a traditional Finnish bowed lyre, a type of stringed instrument. It belongs to the family of instruments that have a soundbox over which a neck is placed, and the strings pass over this neck and are bowed. The soolukannel is characterized by its small size and usually has only a few strings, often made of horsehair or gut. Historically, it was played by common people and nomadic groups in Finland, and its name suggests a connection to "soolo," meaning "solo," or perhaps a type of sinew or gut used for the strings.

Unlike the more widely known kantele, which is a plucked zither, the soolukannel is bowed. The playing technique involves drawing a bow across the strings, producing a melancholic and often improvised melody. The instrument's construction is typically simple, reflecting its folk origins. The body might be carved from a single piece of wood or made from hollowed-out wood. The neck is usually attached directly to the soundbox.

The soolukannel was an important part of the folk music tradition in certain regions of Finland, used for accompaniment to singing, storytelling, and personal entertainment. Its use declined over time with the advent of more complex instruments and changing musical tastes. While not as common today as the kantele, there is renewed interest in the soolukannel among folk musicians and historical instrument enthusiasts, who seek to preserve and revive this unique aspect of Finnish musical heritage. It represents an earlier, perhaps more intimate, form of musical expression in Finland.