Dalaharpa

 

My dalaharpa is an old form of the nyckelharpa, keyed fiddle or Schlüsselfiedel as Praetorius called it in his Theatrum instrumentorum from 1620 (far left).

The dala- or moraharpa has its name from its place of origin, i e it was found near Mora i the province of Dalarna. It looks very much like Praetorius' wood cuts except for having only three strings and no lid for the key box. It has a straight bridge and is thus a drone instrument. With its inscription "1526" it has often, somewhat generously, been called "medieaeval". My reconstruction was made by instrument maker Björn Björn, Gotland. The moraharpa is on the rise, much due to groups like Hedningarna.
I tune my moraharpa to D, d1, A.


photo: Rolf Janelm