Björndansen

Hello
I originally learnt this as a långdans that we sang as we danced. It's called Björndansen - (even though the image says Björnlåten). I later got to know this tune in Germany, where it was slightly different. So apologies if it's not the same as the version that you know - this is how I learnt and played it!
Enjoy
:)
Vicki

Fixing Sticky Nyckelharpa Keys

Hello!
I'm asked all the time about fixing sticky keys. People are usually really scared of taking the nyckelharpa apart for the first time, but it's actually really simple. You unscrew the top and take them out. Unscrew a little more and take more keys out. It can be a bit awkward to get to the very bottom row, so that's a different video - but the initial stage is really, really easy. So here is a video of me taking one apart (down to the bit where it gets harder anyway).
The scraping of the edge of the key is harder to explain - you need to figure out which key is sticking and then try to figure out where it is sticking on the shoulder or at the end. Then scrape away a tiny amount and apply lots of graphite - or pencil. I use a 4B pencil so it's as slippy as possible.

But the real purpose of this video is to stop people being scared of taking the first keys out of the key box....

Enjoy!

:)

Vicki

Nyckelharpa Four a Day - Day Seven

Hello!
Time for Day Seven.
:)
Vicki

Day Seven - today we are adding the first finger on the C string - this is D (gold note, second key)

Nyckelharpa Four a Day - Day Six

Hello!
Time for Day Six.
:)
Vicki

Day Six - today we are adding a whole new string. The C string - it's the second string.

The Rowan Tree

Hello!
It's Tune Friday! The Rowan Tree is a beautiful Scottish song that I learnt on the Scottish Smallpipes, again from my Dad.
Enjoy!
:)
Vicki

Nyckelharpa Four a Day - Day Five

Hello!
Time for Day Five. I re-wrote this page originally, but to see the re-write you'll need to visit my website. It uses audio rather than youtube videos.
:)
Vicki

Updated Day Five - today we are adding the dotted crotchet and the tie. A tie is where two notes are 'tied' together, you don't play a new note, just keep the bow moving the same way.  In line one we have a bar of half count notes, bar two has a one crotchet and two quavers. Bar three 'ties together the crotchet and the quaver. Bar four uses a dotted crotchet - this is exactly the same as tieing together the crotchet and the quaver. So bars 3 and 4 sound exactly the same.


Day Five - today we are adding the dotted crotchet.  This is a one and a half beat note. 

Nyckelharpa Four a Day - Day Four

Hello!
Time for Day Four.
:)
Vicki

Day Four - today we are only adding faster notes. The quaver or half count note. Don't rush them. They're not as fast as you might think. Just squeeze one extra note in between the main counts. Quavers can be written beamed together or not. When they're not they have wiggly tails, like in line one bar two. It's easier to read them when they're beamed together. 

Nyckelharpa Four a Day - Day Three

Hello!

Time for Day Three.

:)

Vicki

Day Three - today we are adding fourth gold note, fourth finger E. We are also adding the three counts in  a bar 3/4 time signature. Make sure each bar only has three counts and there isn't a stray fourth beat sneaking in.