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Scandinavian Folk Music and Dance Resource Guide
including other cultural interest items and contact information
This is a guide to further your interests in various aspects of Scandinavian
culture, primarily the living traditions of music and dance.
By taking some time to research web-sites and other resources provided,
a wealth of information will be revealed. You will also
find some fabulous opportunities to get meet interesting people with similar
interest at workshops, festivals, and other social functions across North
America and Scandinavia.
Instruments |
Dances & Dance Music |
Workshops & Festivals |
Recordings & Books |
Folk Costumes & Textiles |
Folklore & Storytelling |
Cooking & Food |
Local Organizations & Resources |
National Organizations & Resources |
About this guide
Instruments
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Fiddle (known as the flat fiddle or regular fiddle) - There is a great
diversity of fiddle playing styles throughout the Scandinavian countries.
It is common to play a second harmony part which adds to the beauty and
richness of the music. The fiddle is played solo, with other fiddles or
with modern and contemporary music ensembles. There are several ways to
tune the fiddle which may enhance the fullness of the sound. Swedish fiddle
playing is considered a living baroque tradition.
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Hardanger {HAR DONG ER} Fiddle or in Norwegian,
Hardingfele {HARDING FAYLA}
The Hardanger fiddle is similar to the fiddle/violin but there are several
unique differences. This Norwegian instrument is beautifully
decorated with mother of pearl inlay and ink artwork (rosing). There
are an additional 4 or 5 strings running parallel and underneath the top
four bowed strings that ring sympathetically when the instrument is played.
The traditional playing style is heavily polyphonic (a melody voice which
is accompanied by a moving drone voice). There are approximately
20 different ways to tune the instrument. The music from this instrument
is mystical, full sounding, haunting and beautiful. The oldest known
instrument was made in 1651. Dialect/regional dance tunes (springar
& gangar) and listening tunes are played as well as the newer dance
tunes which include the waltz, reinlender, mazurka and polka.
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Langeleik {LONG GAH LIKE} or Langspil (long play) - The oldest existing
instrument is dated 1524. It is played with a cowhorn plectrum. While
resembling the American mountain dulcimer, there are distinct differences
in repertoire and morphology. The langeleik is longer and deeper
than the dulcimer. The Norwegian langeleik has 8 or 9 strings, one
of which is the fretted melody string. The instrument has two primary
scales, the modern European tempered scale and the older variation which
has a higher fourth and lower seventh in the scale. The `blue
notes´ of the older scale add a mystical northern character to the music.
The langeleik is used to play listening tunes and dance tunes such as the
springar, waltz & reinlender.
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Seljefjøyte (willow bark flute) - The willow bark flute was traditionally
made from the bark of a willow tree in the spring when the sap was rising.
This made it easy to slip off the bark and plug it with a fipple.
Modern instruments are made from plastic which is more stable and gives
a greater range of notes. The notes are created by changes in the
volume of breath and by stopping the hole at the end of the instrument.
The pastoral sound quality is due to the natural harmonic scale of the
seljefløyte. Listening tunes and dance tunes are played on
this instrument.
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Nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed fiddle) - The modern nyckelharpa has 16 strings,
four that are bowed on the top and 12 that ring sympathetically under the
bowed strings. The bowed strings are cello gauge, providing a rich
baroque sound. Approximately 37 keys stop the strings. The
nyckelharpa has evolved for more than 600 years in Sweden.
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Singing - There is a rich heritage of traditional folk singing throughout
Scandinavia. Some of the instrumental tunes that are played
today evolved from old songs. Varieties of song include ballads,
cow calls and contemporary songs. Solo tunes can be sung for
dances.
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Other instruments - There are a great number of other instruments not covered
in detail here that are played in Scandinavia. This includes
button accordion, piano accordion, five row chromatic accordion, other
fiddle variations with sympathetic strings, clarinet, varieties of flutes,
the psalmodikon (one string bowed instrument), cittra (Swedish zither),
harmonica, the lur (birch bark horn), cow horn, bass, Swedish bagpipe,
munnharpa (mouth harp), bouzouki and guitar.
Dances & Dance Music
Music and dance are an interwoven part of the living traditions of Scandinavia.
Below is a very brief description of a few common and important genres
of the many dances and dance tunes from Scandinavia. Dance and music variations
occur from village to village
and between the individual musicians and dancers. There are three
major divisions of dance & music:
- Bygdedans (dialect village dances) which include polska, springar, springleik,
and pols. Typically these are couples dances whereby the couple is
turning clockwise, but circling around the room in a counterclockwise direction.
- Gamaldans (figure dances, dances introduced after the mid 1800's) which includes
waltz, schottis, hambo, mazurka, and polka.
- Set/Choreographed dances are group dances for performance or as community dances
that everyone can participate in.
Music is played solo on several instruments such as fiddle, langeleik or
Hardanger fiddle. Tunes are also embellished by adding an instrument(s)
to play harmony. Gamaldans bands are usually composed of fiddle, bass and
accordion, producing a very energetic sound. There is also a Scandinavian
American music tradition that has evolved in the upper Midwest.
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Gånglåt/march/walking tune A 2/4 or 4/4 processional tune
used in celebrations such as weddings and mid summer festivities.
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Polska A couples turning dance in ¾ time. There are many
variations of the polska from Sweden. The polskas are divided into
16th note, 8th note varieties. There are also variations in the symmetry
within each measure of the tune depending on the region where the tune/dance
originated.
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Pols A couples turning dance in ¾ time from Norway, similar to
the polska in Sweden.
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Springar A couples turning dance in ¾ time from Norway that
is played on the Hardanger fiddle. There are variations in
the symmetry within each measure of the tune depending on the region where
the tune/dance originated.
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Springleik A couples turning dance in ¾ time from Norway &
Sweden. It is related to the Pols.
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Vals/waltz A couples dance in ¾ time.
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Schottis/reinlender A couples turning (figure) dance in 2/4 time.
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Hambo A couples turning (figure) dance in ¾ time that is related
to the polska.
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Sønderhoning A Danish couples dance in 4/4 time.
- Additional dances not described include: bakmes, stigvals, storpolska,
snurrbock, slängpolska, bondpolska, polkett, trava, gruvslunga,
rull, vossarull, halling, Røros pols, långdans, snoa,
gangar, minuette, mazurka, polka and a great number of choreographed dances.
Music and Dance Workshop & Festival Locations
Recordings & Books
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Recordings and books can be found in a variety of places. A good
place to get recordings is at workshops that you attend. Mail
order is the best way to find the greatest selections. Several of
the organizations mentioned here (HFAA, ANA) either offer links to places
that sell recordings or sell recordings themselves. I
will refer you to the link page of the ANA to locate providers of these
fine recordings http://www.nyckelharpa.org/resources/links.html
National Organizations & Web Resources
Local Organizations, Activities, & Web Resources
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Byron Wiley, Lawrence KS: Byron is a national and international
resource for Scandinavian music and dance. He offers instruction
in Swedish fiddle, and is always interested in playing with folks interested
in this music or just visiting about other aspects of Scandinavian culture.
He also plays for dances and other occasions utilizing the fiddle, langeleik
and other insturments. Please contact him if you have an interest
in the living traditions of Scandinavian culture. 785-841-2829 or
ingevaldmusik@yahoo.com
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Norwegian Heritage Society, Lawrence KS: They focus on the Norwegian
culture but embrace other Scandinavian cultures as well. Contact
Marilyn Meyers at 785-843-7535 for more information.
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The Scandinavian Association of Greater Kansas City: Contact Karen Nielsen
913-451-0668
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Danish Brotherhood in America Denmark Lodge#56, Kansas City: Contact Dean
& Barbara Larsen 913-642-5884
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Scandinavain Folk Dancers of Kansas City: Contact Sharon Mitchell 913-831-0591
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Scandinavian Women's Society, Kansas City: Contact Carla Hanson
913-268-1620
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Icelandic Association in Kansas City: Contact Vilborg Petursson 913-685-0821
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Vasa order of America, local lodge Facklan #248 (Swedish), Kansas City:
Contact Jeremy & Avis Garrett-Baptist 816-931-0299
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The Lindsborg Folkdanslag: Contact Duane & Nancy Fredrickson
785-227-3678, Lindsborg, KS.
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Scandinavian Society of Wichita KS: Contact Raymond & Margaret Nelson
316-722-4174
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Ozark Scandinavian Society of Springfield MO: Contact Art & Anne Lindeman
417-862-1682
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Omaha NE: Skjaldborg Reenactors, Scandinavian Folk Dancers of Omaha, Vasa
Omaha Lodge #330, Independent Order of Vikings: Contact the Scandinavian
American Society 402-572-9790
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International Folkdancers, Lawrence: http://www.kansasfolk.org/folkdance/
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Genealogy The best resource in our area is the Mid Continent Public Library
in Independence MO.
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/branch/ge/
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Kansas Folk Music and Dance Resource Center is home to this pages, and contains
further links to local folk music concerts, dances and other items of interest.
http://www.kansasfolk.org/
Folk Costumes & Texttiles
Folklore & Storytelling
Folklore is very abundant in Scandinavia. There are many wonderful
folktales and stories about mystical creatures, legendary people, etc.
Some of the folk tunes are related to folk tales and legends from the past.
There are many books and sources on the web.
Cooking & Food
The traditional food and cooking of Scandinavia is quite varied and is
very tasty. Some of the unique Scandinavian food items include
pickled herring, potato sausage, cheese, home made beer, flat bread, lefse,
lutefisk, fish, etc. Information can be found in books
and on the web.
About this guide...
This resource list was compiled by Byron Wiley, 785-841-2829 ingevaldmusik@yahoo.com.
Resources & contact information for the following may also be obtained
from Byron: rosemalling, Hardanger embroidery, rustic wood architecture,
language assistance, Scandinavian dance parties, art/paintings, and travel.
Revised November 2002
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