The langspil (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈlauŋkˌspɪːl̥]; meaning long-play) is a traditional Icelandicdrone zither. It has a single melody string and usually 2 drone strings.
Langspil
Langspil in the National Museum of Iceland, in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The langspil can be played by plucking the strings by hand, with a bow or by hammering. Langspils exist in two basic versions, straight and curved and are generally around the length of 80 cm (31 in), and can be as long as 104 cm (41 in) or as short as 73 cm (29 in). Many different types of wood have traditionally been used, including pine, fir, beechwood, birch, oak and walnut, since they were generally constructed from driftwood.[1]
History
Anna Þórhallsdóttir, wearing a traditional costume playing her langspil with a bow
Langspil illustration from 1811
The oldest written sources describing the langspil are from the 18th century. In those times langspils are described as a long thin box, wider at the bottom end and with one to six strings. In the early 19th century a version with a curved soundbox emerged which has improved sound qualities. In 1855 the book Leiðarvísir til að spila á langspil (A guide on playing the langspil) was published. It also included information on how to make langspils, although with a slight printing error in the fretting. This book increased the popularity of the Langspil quite a lot.[2] However, by the middle of the 20th century the instrument had become rare and few played it any more.[1]
By the 1960s, the singer Anna Þórhallsdóttir realized that the langspil was slowly disappearing from Icelandic musical traditions and as a response she spearheaded its revival, which is still ongoing.[3] Today a number of bands and performers include the langspil in their repertoire, including Spilmenn Ríkinís, Sigurður Rúnar Jónsson, Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster and Þórður Tómasson á Skógum. The langspil also has an important place on the yearly folk-song festival on Siglufjörður.[4]
^. Archived from the original on 2012-03-10. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
January 20, 2023
langspil, langspil, icelandic, pronunciation, ˈlauŋkˌspɪːl, meaning, long, play, traditional, icelandic, drone, zither, single, melody, string, usually, drone, strings, national, museum, iceland, reykjavik, iceland, string, instrumentclassificationstring, inst. The langspil Icelandic pronunciation ˈlauŋkˌspɪːl meaning long play is a traditional Icelandic drone zither It has a single melody string and usually 2 drone strings LangspilLangspil in the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik Iceland String instrumentClassificationString instrumentsHornbostel Sachs classification314 1 true board zither Related instrumentsLangeleik Scheitholt Epinette des Vosges DulcimerThe langspil can be played by plucking the strings by hand with a bow or by hammering Langspils exist in two basic versions straight and curved and are generally around the length of 80 cm 31 in and can be as long as 104 cm 41 in or as short as 73 cm 29 in Many different types of wood have traditionally been used including pine fir beechwood birch oak and walnut since they were generally constructed from driftwood 1 History Edit Anna THorhallsdottir wearing a traditional costume playing her langspil with a bow Langspil illustration from 1811 The oldest written sources describing the langspil are from the 18th century In those times langspils are described as a long thin box wider at the bottom end and with one to six strings In the early 19th century a version with a curved soundbox emerged which has improved sound qualities In 1855 the book Leidarvisir til ad spila a langspil A guide on playing the langspil was published It also included information on how to make langspils although with a slight printing error in the fretting This book increased the popularity of the Langspil quite a lot 2 However by the middle of the 20th century the instrument had become rare and few played it any more 1 By the 1960s the singer Anna THorhallsdottir realized that the langspil was slowly disappearing from Icelandic musical traditions and as a response she spearheaded its revival which is still ongoing 3 Today a number of bands and performers include the langspil in their repertoire including Spilmenn Rikinis Sigurdur Runar Jonsson Bara Grimsdottir Chris Foster and THordur Tomasson a Skogum The langspil also has an important place on the yearly folk song festival on Siglufjordur 4 See also EditAppalachian dulcimer Epinette des Vosges Hummel instrument Langeleik Scheitholt Fidla the other string instrument native to IcelandReferences Edit a b David G Woods Islenska langspilid Arbok hins islenzka fornleifafelags 1993 p 109 128 Ari Saemundssen Leidarvisir til ad spila a langspil Akureyri 1855 Anna THorhallsdottir Langspil Timinn 19 August 1961 p 11 THjodlagasetur sr Bjarna THorsteinssonar Archived from the original on 2012 03 10 Retrieved 2010 08 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Langspil amp oldid 1126388238, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
