Maija Kauhanen

Finnish Kantele

Teaches a course on Finnish Kantele - An Introduction [FI]

lessons in this course
  1. Course trailer
  2. Introduction to the course
  3. Performance - "Pinnalla"
  4. About Builders and Players
  5. How to tune a kantele
  6. How to change strings
  7. How to play chords
  8. 5-Kielinen Kantele Introduction
  9. Playing Techniques - 5-Kielinen Kantele
  10. Karhunpeijaispolska
  11. Melkutus
  12. Halosen Valssi
  13. Pienkantele Introduction
  14. Playing Technique - Pienkantele
  15. Maanitus
  16. Raharinki
  17. Saarijärven Kantele Introduction
  18. Viipurin Pukki - Basic Techniques
  19. Kahvipannu
  20. Accompaniment Polkka - Kahvipannu
  21. Färikaran Jaska
  22. Accompaniment Polska - Färikaran Jaska
  23. Pinnalla (Floating)
  24. Acoustic Effects
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About Maija

A powerfully expressive voice, deep-rooted Kantele, and inventive percussion: fleet-fingered virtuoso and one-woman band Maija Kauhanen specialize in Finnish Saarijärven kantele and the old and rare technique of playing kantele using a tiny wooden stick as a plectrum. Weaving this together with poly-rhythms and organic beats, she creates unique soundscapes and compelling grooves.

Maija is a composer and a versatile multi-instrumentalist as well as a charismatic performer with an entrancing stage presence. The rural music traditions of Finland and Karelia are her main influence and inspiration and she deftly gives their time-honored melodies a new life.

Over the past few years, Maija has toured solo in China, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, and Germany. She won the International Solo Kantele Competition in Helsinki in 2011 and during the same year, she shared the second prize of Nord´11 Competition in Sälen, Sweden. She is also a member of the world-music group's Okra Playground (FI) (Womex'16 Official Selection), Rönsy (FI), award-nominated Mari Kalkun & Runorun (FI/EE/AU), and Folk'Avant (SE/FI) and she is also a lead vocalist in Finnish pop band Malmö. In 2017 Maija won a Critics’ Spurs prize by The Finnish Critics’ Association for "the best artistic breakthrough or comparable for a young artist during the year".

www.maijakauhanen.com