Here is a Swedish/Estonian Talharpa- bowed harp/lyre sort of thing. You play it like a violin, but fret the strings with your fingers directly. Similar instruments are found throughout Europe,with the Finnish Jouhikko being considered to be more or less the same thing. You also hear the term Strakharpa on occasion. 2, 3, and 4 string versions are found depending on where and who constructed it.
This is tuned CGcg, the first two string are an octave higher than the next pair, and function primarily as drone strings. Generally you only use the first and or second string as melody strings when playing notes... the instrument faces away from you and you hold the frame with your left hand, while resting it on your lap in an upright position.
This one is made out of purpleheart (my favorite wood!) for the frame, back, and tuning pegs, with a western red cedar soundboard, and cherry bridge. Twisted nylon fishing line is used for the strings, but traditionally horsehair or gut would have been used. It measures about 21" tall, 2 1'4" deep, and just under 6" wide.
I can't play it all that well yet, but the little tunes I can do on it have great tone. lots of sustain with this instrument. Good for repeating tunes in folk music. You can hear it in some of the stuff produced by the band Skald, Wardruna, A Tergo Lupi, and there are a handful of artists specialising in them as well.
This is tuned CGcg, the first two string are an octave higher than the next pair, and function primarily as drone strings. Generally you only use the first and or second string as melody strings when playing notes... the instrument faces away from you and you hold the frame with your left hand, while resting it on your lap in an upright position.
This one is made out of purpleheart (my favorite wood!) for the frame, back, and tuning pegs, with a western red cedar soundboard, and cherry bridge. Twisted nylon fishing line is used for the strings, but traditionally horsehair or gut would have been used. It measures about 21" tall, 2 1'4" deep, and just under 6" wide.
I can't play it all that well yet, but the little tunes I can do on it have great tone. lots of sustain with this instrument. Good for repeating tunes in folk music. You can hear it in some of the stuff produced by the band Skald, Wardruna, A Tergo Lupi, and there are a handful of artists specialising in them as well.
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Honestly it feels very similar. I have issues with my hands sometimes and on these you kind of loosely hold the frame, and touch the closest two strings with your fingers. I find it actually a bit easier than a traditional neck and fingerboard like found on a violin. One of the reasons I built it was to have a unique instrument to play in order to give my hands some therapy in order to keep my dexterity up. It's less strain than a violin or guitar for me.
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