The instruments I build and play

Kontrabasharpa - One rowed nyckelharpa

The Kontrabasharpa is a pure drone instrument with it's roots in the beginning of the 17th century. It works like a bag pipe as it keeps a base note all the time (drone). The drone string is located between the two melody strings (tuned in D and A) and is tuned to suit the musical key that's played at the moment. The kontrabasharpa only have one row of tangents (called nycklar - keys, therefor nyckelharpa - key harp) and used to be called enkelharpa - single harp. The first 10 or so keys are dubbelkopplade - double connected in that they change the notes on both melody strings at the same time which allows for 20 different notes! The instrument is fully chromatic and can be fitted with extra quarter note keys according to the wishes of the customer.

Tuning of the playing strings: D, G/A, A

Number of sympathetic strings: 10

Silverbasharpa - Two rowed nyckelharpa

The Silverbasharpa is an invention of the 19th century with an unknown constructor. In keeping with the changing musical ideals of the time the instruments drone string was moved to the side of the melody strings where it can be avoided at will. An extra drone was added beside the first and the music became more chord based (still with heavy drone influence) and the tuning of the instrument was centered around the key of C-major. A silverbasharpa has two rows of keys where most of them are "free" (only changes the note on one string) while some are double connected to provide certain chords. The placing of the drone strings and the double connected keys provide exciting opportunities to accompany your own melody playing, but it requires good bowing technique and lots of practise. The number of keys and double connections has varied heavaly throughout history and the customer is encouraged to give specific requests. The instrument is not fully chromatic.

Tuning of the playing strings: C, G, C, A

Number of sympathetic strings: 10

Three rowed nyckelharpa

The three rowed nyckelharpa was developed in the 1920's by musician August Bohlin and was made famous by musician and maker Eric Sahlström, both residents of Uppland, Sweden. On this nyckelharpa the G-drone was given its own keys to develop a deeper register, all the keys were made free and the instrument returned to being fully chromatic. The tuning of the Silverbasharpa was kept as the main part of existing tunes were made for Silverbasharpa. It is the three rowed nyckelharpa that is most common today and it's being played oll over the world. The instrument is suitable for many  different kinds of music and have nearly endless possibilities. The tuning pegs for the sympathetic strings were exchanged for guitar mechanics which allows for more stable tuning.

Tuning of the playing strings: C, G, C, A

Number of sympathetic strings: 12