Nyckelharpa for Beginners

Josefina Paulson takes you through the first steps on your journey towards mastery. First, you need an instrument, then know whether it is playable. Then learn how to hold, bow and use the keys. And not to forget, how to tune this beast of an instrument.

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Preview18 lessons

About this course

This is a beginner's course on the Swedish national instrument: The Nyckelharpa. This beautiful instrument is a centerpiece in the traditional music from Sweden and Josefina Paulson takes you th...read more
This is a beginner's course on the Swedish national instrument: The Nyckelharpa. This beautiful instrument is a centerpiece in the traditional music from Sweden and Josefina Paulson takes you through the first steps on your journey towards mastery. First, you need an instrument, then know whether it is playable. Then learn how to hold, bow and use the keys. And not to forget, how to tune this beast of an instrument.

You will learn a couple of beautiful tunes and the style of playing that comes with them. Most of the tunes are from Uppland and Västmanland where Josefina has dug through the archives and brought a lot of music from the scoresheet back to the dancefloor and concert halls.

Josefina tunes her nyckelharpa in C.
This is a beginner's course on the Swedish national instrument: The Nyckelharpa. This beautiful instrument is a centerpiece in the traditional music from Sweden and Josefina Paulson takes you through the first steps on your journey towards mastery. First, you need an instrument, then know whether it is playable. Then learn how to hold, bow and use the keys. And not to forget, how to tune this beast of an instrument.

You will learn a couple of beautiful tunes and the style of playing that comes with them. Most of the tunes are from Uppland and Västmanland where Josefina has dug through the archives and brought a lot of music from the scoresheet back to the dancefloor and concert halls.

Josefina tunes her nyckelharpa in C.

Browse the 18 lessons

  1. Introduction - Harp Showcase
  2. Perfomance - Anna Lisa Noramnn
  3. The modern Nyckelharpa
  4. How to hold the Nyckelharpa
  5. How to use the Bow
  6. How to use the left hand
  7. How to tune the Nyckelharpa
  8. How to change strings
  9. Bow & Scales
  10. Polska Bowing
  11. Explosive bowing
  12. Över Allt
  13. Uti gröna lunden, Mora långdans
  14. Vagnshusschottis
  15. Båtsmandäck
  16. Spikens Vals
  17. Polska nr 98
  18. Björnlåten

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About Josefina Paulsson

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Josefina Paulsson

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About the Nyckelharpa

This traditional stringed instrument has been an integral part of Sweden's folk culture for centuries, with its origins dating back to the 14th century. With a unique and instantly recognizable sound, the Nyckelharpa has evolved into a symbol of Swedish heritage. Played with a bow like a violin, but with keys that are pressed to change the pitch of the strings, the Nyckelharpa is a fusion of traditional and modern music-making. Today, musicians around the world are captivated by its distinct and beautiful sound, making it a must-have instrument for any music lover.
Learn more about the Nyckelharpa
Nyckelharpa

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