Hardanger fiddle facts for kids
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The Hardanger fiddle, called hardingfele in Norwegian, is a special string instrument. It comes from the southwest part of Norway. It looks a bit like a violin, but it's unique! This fiddle has eight or nine strings. Four strings are played with a bow, just like a violin. The other strings are called sympathetic strings. They are underneath the main strings and vibrate on their own when you play the others. This gives the Hardanger fiddle its special sound.
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A Fiddle for Dancing
The Hardanger fiddle is often used for dancing. Players sometimes stamp their feet loudly while playing. In Norway, it was a tradition for a Hardanger fiddler to lead a wedding procession. They would play music as the bride and groom walked to the church.
Beautiful Decorations
This instrument is known for its beautiful decorations. At the very top, where the strings are tuned, there's often a carved animal. This is usually the Lion of Norway. Sometimes, it's a carved woman's head instead.
The tailpiece and fingerboard often have shiny mother of pearl designs. The body of the fiddle is decorated with black ink patterns. These patterns are called 'rosing'. Sometimes, small pieces of bone are used to decorate the pegs and the edges of the instrument.
History of the Hardanger Fiddle
The oldest known Hardanger fiddle might be from 1651. We are not completely sure if this date is correct. By the year 1850, the instrument had developed into the Hardanger fiddle we see today.
Tuning and Famous Music
The Hardanger fiddle can be tuned in many different ways. The tuning depends on the type of music being played. The famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg loved Norwegian folk music. When he wrote his well-known tune "Morning" for the music of Peer Gynt, he was thinking of the sounds of the Hardanger fiddle.
Popularity Today
In the 20th century, the Hardanger fiddle became very popular in Norway. There are even competitions for players. In these competitions, players must play in the traditional style of their home area. This helps keep the old traditions alive.
Images for kids
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The strings on a hardingfele
