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The dulcimer and fiddle are the two most characteristic instruments found throughout Scandinavia. In Norway, the eight- or nine-stringed hardanger fiddle is also found. Gammaldans are a kind of dance song played by harmonica and accordion, popular in both Sweden and Norway in the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Nyckelharpa. It’s only appropriate to start our list with Sweden’s national instrument, the Nyckelharpa. The Nyckelharpa – which in Swedish translates to ‘Key Fiddle’ – is the quintessential Swedish instrument and arguably one of the most iconic, owing to its unique and intricate shape.
- Psalmodikon. The Psalmodikon or Salmodikon is another type of string instrument that’s made up of a long box with a string attached at each end. The musician then plucks the string or uses a bow like a violin to cause it to vibrate and create the sound.
- Moraharpa. Next, we have the Moraharpa, which looks and sounds very similar to the Nyckelharpa. In fact, you could think of it as the Nyckelharpa’s grandfather as it was one of the earliest predecessors.
- Spilåpipa. Changing gears from the string instruments we’ve looked at so far, the Spilåpipa is a traditional fipple flute with deep roots in the nomadic cultures of Sweden.
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Dec 19, 2023 · Instruments like the Hardanger fiddle, nyckelharpa, and the traditional accordion play a central role in Nordic folk music, creating a distinctive sound that captures the essence of the region. The melodic nuances of these instruments, often played in a minor key, evoke a sense of melancholy, mirroring the rugged beauty and harsh climates of ...
- Hardingfele (Hardanger Fiddle) Otherwise known as the Hardanger fiddle, the Hardingfele is a uniquely Norwegian instrument similar to a violin or viola.
- Nyckelharpa. The Nyckelharpa is another iconic Scandinavian musical instrument. While it originally hails from Sweden, Norway still considers the nyckelharpa an essential part of its musical heritage.
- Seljefløyte. The Seljefløyte is an incredibly simple flute instrument that Norwegians use in traditional folk songs. It consists of a single finger hole and exposed holes at each end.
- Kantele. Even though the Kantele originates in Finland, Norwegians value it as an integral part of their musical heritage. It stems from a long line of Baltic box zingers and has been adapted for use over the centuries in Norwegian and broader Scandinavian traditional music.
Dec 13, 2022 · The Old Norse who lived in Scandinavia during the Viking Age (8th-11th century) definitely did not play the Harpsichord, as the instrument was first developed in the 14th century. That said, it was and is a popular instrument in Scandinavia, the same region the Vikings came from.
Mar 29, 2023 · While we don’t know exactly what kind of music the Vikings listened to, we do know that they had a variety of instruments at their disposal. These included string instruments like the lyre, the harp, and the tagelharpa, as well as wind instruments like the flute, the horn, and the panpipe.
The music of Sweden shares roots with its neighbouring countries in Scandinavia, as well as Eastern Europe, including polka, schottische, waltz, polska and mazurka. The Swedish fiddle and nyckelharpa are among the most common Swedish folk instruments.
