Nyckelharpa
The nyckelharpa (Swedish for key harp) is traditional in Sweden. It is a string instrument or chordophone. Its keys are attached to tangents which, when the key is depressed, serve as frets to change the pitch of the string.
History
The nyckelharpa is similar to both a fiddle and a hurdy gurdy, and is known played from Sweden since 1641]. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the nyckelharpa was known throughout Sweden, Denmark and in Uppland. The latter has long been a stronghold for nyckelharpa music, including through the 1960s revival, which drew on musicians like Byss-Calle from Älvkarleby.
Changes by August Bohlin in 1929/1930 made the nyckelharpa chromatic and straight, more violin-like instrument. The best-known modern nyckelharpa player is probably Eric Sahlström, who was a major player, teacher, and builder of the mid 20th century. He helped re-popularize the instrument by his playing. In spite of these innovations, the nyckelharpa's popularity declined until the 1960s roots revival.
The nyckelharpa has been a prominent part of several revival groups later in the century, especially the trio Väsen and the more contemporary group Hedningarna.
Variants
There are at least four major variants of the nyckelharpa still played today, varying by the number and arrangement of keys, number and arrangement of strings, and general body shape. The nyckelharpa has sympathetic strings which are not bowed directly but resonate with the other strings.
See also: Music of Sweden