Bortapolskan

Hello!
A little polska for you today. Bortapolskan. Borta means gone.
It's a kontrabasharpa polska, so I've got two videos. One on a contra and one on a normal nyckelharpa. At the bottom is my teaching vide from the Halsway Virtual May workshop day - it's the second tune in the video.
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

Polska efter Blinde Janne

Hello!
A gorgeous little tune from Gränna, Jönköping in Småland. It's most definitely a silverbasharpa tune!!
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

Don't Drive Tired

Hello!
It's the final tune from the album! The album is now out and here, hurrah! It arrived whilst we were at Halsway Manor and then this final tune was bumped by a week because of last week's sad tune. I for one am certainly reeling by the impact our current politics is having. But this blog is all about being inclusive and helping people be better nyckelharpa players - so that's enough of that. We shall continue making music and touring both in the UK and in the EU, in no small way possible because I am Swedish. :)

So the final tune is Don't Drive Tired and it's the third 16 bar jig. Play it with panache and gusto! Again this isn't the key I play it on the album as on the album I play it on border pipes in G. But if I'd been doing it on the harpa, this is the key I would have chosen!

I've got a workshop this weekend, so over the next few weeks there will be some tunes from that coming up. Also - as a note have you spotted about World Nyckelharpa Day yet? Check it out - I'll be banging on about that for the next two months!!
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

Ode to Joy

Hello!
A tune appropriate to the day.
:'(
Vicki

Contrapasso

Hello!
It's time for the third and final tune in the Medieval Contradance set from Sleep Deprivation. The tune itself isn't hard, but playing it up to speed is quite tricky!
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

Controtto

Hello!
This is the second of a three tune set from the new album. (Now sent off and we're waiting for news of it's replication). It's from the Medieval Contra set, so I've included me playing it on the sienaharpa again. Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

Contrarello

Hello!
This week it's time for the Medieval Contra set. It's a set of three tunes that Jonny wrote in a medieval style to contra dance to. This first tune is sort of a march, but with bounce. It's not a tricky tune. We recorded it with the Sienaharpa playing the melody, but decided that it was a better track with just normal nyckelharpa - but I have also included a version with me playing it on the Siena too for good measure.
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Hello!
It's December and so it's time for some seasonal video blogs! This week we have We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Without the double stops it's a nice and simple tune. Add the double stops in for something a little more challenging.
Enjoy!
:))
Vicki
PS If you are wondering about the new album - we didn't make the goal of New Years Eve, but the recording is finished and it's in the mixing phase.