Information AboutHardingfele |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT HARDINGFELE | |
| norwegian musical instruments | |
| bowed instruments | |
| string instruments | |
| string instruments with sympathetic strings | |
| folk instruments | |
| nordic folk music | |
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The Hardingfele is used mainly in the south west part of Norway, whereas the ordinary violin (called 'flatfele' - 'flat fiddle' or 'vanlig fele' - 'common fiddle') is found elsewhere. The Hardingfele is used for dancing, accompanied by rhythmic loud foot stomping. It was also traditional for the fiddler to lead the bridal procession to the Church . The instrument is highly decorated, with a carved animal (usually the Lion Of Norway ) or a carved woman's head as part of the Scroll at the top of the Pegbox , extensive Mother Of Pearl Inlay on the Tailpiece and Fingerboard , and black ink decorations called ' Rosing ' on the body of the instrument. Sometimes pieces of Bone are used to decorate the pegs and the edges of the instrument. The earliest known example of the hardingfele is from 1651 , made by Ole Jonsen Jaastad in Hardanger , Norway . Originally, the instrument's appearance was significantly different. Around the year 1850 , the modern layout with a body much like the violin became the norm. TUNINGS The instrument is tuned higher than a violin, because it sounds better in a higher range. The ' A ' on the hardingfele corresponds to B Flat or higher on a standard Piano . The notes given below for tunings are therefore relative to the A on the Hardingfele, not to A equal to 440 Hertz . The understrings are tuned to vibrate according to the main tuning. For example, when the main strings are tuned A-D-A-E, the understrings are tuned B-D-E-F#-A. The tuning is largely depended on the Region in which the Instrument is being played, or the requirements of a particular tune. In Norway , about 40 different tunings are recorded. Most hardanger tunes are played in a common tuning (A-D-A-E). The hardanger fiddle can also be played in "low base" (G-D-A-E), which resembles the normal violin tuning. In certain regions the "Gorrolaus" (F-D-A-E) tuning is sometimes used. Another tuning is called " Troll tuning" (A-E-A-C#). Troll tuning is used for the ''fanitullen'' tunes, also called the Devil 's tunes; in the Valdres District Of Norway , this particular tuning is called "greylighting", a reminder that the fiddler tuned his fiddle like this when the morning was near, and he had played himself through a number of other tunings. Legend had it that the fiddler learned ''fanitullen'' tunes from the devil. This tuning limits the melodic range of the tunes, and is therefore sparsely used. TECHNIQUE The technique of bowing a Hardingfele also differs from that used with a violin. It's a smoother, bouncier style of bowing, with a lighter touch. The player usually bows on two of the upper strings at a time, and sometimes three. This is made easy by the relative flatness of the bridge, unlike the more curved bridge on a violin. The strings of the fiddle are slimmer than those of the violin, resembling the strings of violins from the Baroque period. Tunes and techniques of playing differ a great deal between different regions in Norway. This is probably because Norway consists of a series of valleys separated by mountains, and communities were isolated from each other in the past. Standard musical notation is rarely used by the traditional players. But to preserve the music, and to get classical players to play Norwegian Music , there were people who systematically transcribed tunes. They used a system where the notes corresponded to the fingering on the instrument rather than to absolute pitch. It is said that the very best players in Norway don't read music, but learn tunes by ear. In later years, however, some fiddlers use manuscripts as a kind of "second-hand" source, for refreshing their memories. CONTROVERSY The hardanger fiddle and its music was, and perhaps still is, associated with the devil. The Church banned these instruments and the players from entering the churches. They also went to the extent to eradicate by fire an extensive number of fiddles. The tradition in Norway has had a deep impact because of this, since folk music was not well respected in areas where Christianity was deeply rooted. . Areas where Christianity was not deeply rooted have kept a strong tradition, and that's where the old technique and tunes are still in practise.. It was also believed that some were taught to play by the Fossegrimen . INFLUENCES . In recent years the instrument has gained recognition in the rest of the world. Japan has been one of the countries that has found an interest in the hardingfele and Japanese musicians travel to Norway just to learn to play this instrument. PLAYERS See also List Of Spelemannslag Notable hardingfele players include Hallvard T. Bjørgum , Torleiv H. Bjørgum , Knut Buen , Hauk Buen , Andrea Een , Olav Jørgen Hegge , Vidar Lande , Annbjørg Lien , and Myllarguten . USE IN FILM The Hardanger fiddle was used in the '' composed by Howard Shore , to provide the main voice for the Rohan theme. The use of the hardanger fiddle in this movie, however, is far from traditional since the theme does not make noticeable use of the usual practice of bowing on two strings at a time for harmony. The Hardanger fiddle also features in the soundtrack of '' Fargo '', written by Carter Burwell . Here the context is a little more traditional. The main theme it plays is an arrangement of a Norwegian folksong entitled "The Lost Sheep". In the Japanese animated movie '' Tales From Earthsea '' it is played by Rio Yamase . EXTERNAL LINKS
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