Nyckelharpa

I teach nyckelharpa in my studio at the Arts HUB in Lafayette, CO, at Saint Stephens Church in Longmont, CO, and on Zoom.

The Nyckelharpa is the quintessential folk instrument of Sweden, but it is also enjoying a world-wide renaissance which has freed it to play many different styles of music.

There is something distinctly old-world, even medieval about the nyckelharpa, and indeed many of its design elements date back to those times, despite the sophistication of its modern form. It is now a fully chromatic instrument, capable of playing comfortably in numerous keys.

As my student, you will learn how to approach the instrument with ergonomics in mind, from the bowhold and technique to the way the instrument in actually held. As you will see, I don’t hold the instrument in the traditional way, due to the tension it puts on the neck. I learned to hold the instrument in a different way by adapting the work of Didier Francois, a modern player who has put a lot of time and energy into solving the problem of Nyckelharpa induced discomfort. Together we will achieve the most comfortable solution for you.

We will learn Swedish tunes, but also music from around the world, as well as develop your own compositional skill. We will learn to master the keys without looking, so you can maximize your intuitive connection to the instrument. If you happen to live nearby, we will also play together and find opportunities for you to play music with others.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to play for a live audience at recitals, held at the Arts Hub.

All Lessons are also available online via Zoom. Contact me to set up an appointment.

Contact Chris

Instruments Taught