Kantele

History and origin of the Kantele

Kantele is a traditional Finnish stringed musical instrument, sometimes also known as a Kannel. It is played by plucking the individual strings.

It features a simple, usually wooden construction with strings stretched across a soundboard. Kanteles are highly renowned for their clear, bell-like sound, which is deeply associated with Finnish folk music and culture.

Innovative modern look of historical musical instruments

We offer this instrument in a modern, innovative presentation that combines authentic medieval construction using the most modern elements, components and technologies.

Used components and materials:

• Body: Alder
• Top: Resonant spruce
• Finish: Satin nitro lacquer
• Diatonic tuning: D minor
• Tuning: D E F G A B C D E F G A
• Number of strings: 12

History and origin of Kantele

Kantele is a traditional Finnish and Karelian stringed musical instrument, sometimes known as Kannel. Along with other instruments such as the Russian Gusle, Latvian Kokle and Lithuanian Kanklės, it is ranked among the Baltic psalteries.

Its age cannot be determined precisely, however, several scientists agree that the origin of the kantele may date back 1000-2000 years.

This musical instrument has a characteristic clear bell-like sound and has been strongly associated with the ancient art of runic singing. This sound easily pulls the listener into its calm keys, soothes the mind, and sounds very magical.

Original construction

Kantele's oldest instruments had five or six strings made of horsehair. The body of this instrument is hollow and made mainly of alder, pine or spruce.

Legends and epics

Legends describe the mythical origin of Kantele in the national epic of Kalevala, where the magician Väinämöinen makes the first instrument from the bones of a giant pike jaw and from several hairs of Hiisi's horse. The music this instrument creates attracts all forest creatures to wonder and admire the beauty of the tones.

The use of Kantele at present

Kantele is an instrument with which you can express a wide range of emotions and moods. It is widely used to play traditional folk music, waltzes, and polkas. Many artists also use it for a pleasant background sound in meditation.

An interesting feature is the use of Kantele in the well-known film Narnia (2005). Music composer Harry Gregson-Williams used the Kantele with the help of the Finnish artist Timo Väänänen to bring the atmosphere of an icy, snowy, and mysteriously calm landscape closer.

Innovative modern look of historical musical instruments on AuraInstruments: Kantele 12 ProK

We offer it in a modern, innovative presentation that combines authentic medieval construction using the most modern elements, components and technologies.

Kantele Aura 12 ProK is mirror-inverted:

The tool is mirror-inverted for a better adjustment of the right-hand game. This brings the bass strings to thumb level and the top strings to finger level. Guitarists will especially appreciate the turning of the strings. The twelve-string cantellas cover a range of one and a half octaves. It is possible to tune it to different tones and use different diatonic, chromatic, pentatonic and other tunings. Guitar strings can be used on the kantele.

Kantele Aura 12 ProK used components and materials:

• Body: Ash
• Top: Maple
• Finish: Satin nitro lacquer
• Tuning: C D E F G A H C D E F G F
• Number of strings: 12

History and origin of Kantele

Kantele is a traditional Finnish and Karelian (Karelia is a country between Russia and Finland) string stringing musical instrument - sometimes known as Kannel. Along with other instruments such as Russian Gusle, Latvian Kokle and Lithuanian Kanklės it is ranked among the Baltic Žaltara (Žaltar is a collection or collection of psalms).

Its age cannot be determined precisely - however, several scientists agree that the origin of the cantella may well be as far back as 1000-2000 years ago.

This musical instrument has a characteristic clear bell-like sound and has been strongly associated with the ancient art of runic singing. This is perhaps because Kantele has a very calm, harmonious sound of contemplative quality. This sound easily pulls the listener into its calm keys, soothes and looks very magical.

The original number of strings and the construction of the tool

Kantele's oldest instruments waved five or six strings. The strings were made of horse's hrivy. The body of this instrument is hollow and made mainly of alder, pine or spruce.

The Finnish cantelles were mostly tuned in diatonic tuning (one octave scale composed of five full tones and two semitones).

Legends and epics

Legends describe the mythical origin of Kantele in the national epic of Kalevala, where the magician Väinämöinen makes the first instrument of Kantele from the bones of the giant pike jaw and from several hairs of Hiissi's horse (Hiissi is a Finnish mythological demonic being or Satan himself). The music this instrument creates and sounds attracts all forest creatures to wonder and admire the beauty of the leached tones. Later, the wizard loses this tool.

Then the sorceress Väinämöinen saddened by her loss, produces other, wooden Kantele from birch wood and with the help of a willing girl's hair. He finds that this instrument also provides the same deep charm and magic. This tool leaves behind as a great gift.

The use of Kantele at present

Kantele is a tool with which you can achieve a very interesting and beautiful sound that can express a wide range of different emotions, moods and feelings. It can be used - and many artists also use it - to play a traditional waltz or polka. It can also be used to play traditional folk music. And many artists also use it for a pleasant background sound for a variety of meditations and meditation backgrounds.

Using Kantele in movie Narnia

An interesting feature is the use of Kantele in the well-known and relatively successful film Narnia: The Lion, Wardrobe and Witch of 2005. Music composer Harry Gregson-Williams used Kantele in this film in an excellent way - with the help of the Finnish artist and musician Timo Väänänen harmonious sounds to bring the atmosphere of an icy, snowy, calmly mysterious landscape closer.

Studying playing music at Kantele

In Finland, Kantele is so popular that there is also great interest in professionally studying the game on this unique musical instrument.

There are a number of schools, conservatories and music institutes where you can study Kantele. Even Sibelius Academy offers study on this instrument. Kantele is used by several Finnish composers, even for the orchestra.

Probably the most famous musician of the Kantele play is the artist and professor Martti Pokela.

Finnish producer Kantele Koistinen has even developed electronic pickups for this instrument - similar to electric guitars - and this innovation has attracted many metal bands that are also involved in folk music.

Innovative modern look of historical musical instruments on AuraInstruments

We offer it in a modern, innovative presentation that combines authentic medieval construction using the most modern elements, components and technologies.

Used components and materials:

• Body: Ash
• Top: Maple
• Finish: Satin nitro lacquer
• Tuning: C D E F G A H C D E F G F
• Number of strings: 10
• Steel strings across the body