Hummel (instrument)

Hummel (instrument)

The Hummel is an old Swedish stringed instrument that can be compared to an older type of zither and is related to the Norwegian instrument, the langeleik. The name is thought to come from the German word "Hummel", meaning "bee", referring to the droning sound created by the accompaniment strings.

History

The hummel is probably from the Middle Ages, when it was found all over Europe in slightly differing variants. The instrument was common in the Netherlands, Northern Germany and Denmark during the 1700s. The earliest evidence of the intstrument in Swedish folk culture is from the 1600s, and it seems to have been most common in the southern parts of the country. During the 1800s, the hummel was considered to be a primitive peasant instrument and its popularity dwindled, but some enthusiasts have taken up playing it again since the folk revival of the 1970s.

Construction

The hummel is an instrument that exists in many forms, with regards to appearance, as well as number of strings etc. Common to all varieties is a flat top and bottom. There are variations in the material used, but it is always thin. On the top are one or more soundholes which can come in many forms. The strings vary in number but often comprise of a smaller number of melody strings and a greater number of accompanying strings. It is not uncommon to have three melody strings: two tuned identically, and the third tuned one octave below the others. Under the melody strings, either directly on the body or attached to a fretboard, are about 17 frets, like those on a guitar. The body comes in two main forms, either a pear-shaped form with the strings in the middle of a half-pear with the strings near the edge.

Playing

The hummel is placed on a table, just like with a zither, to amplify the sound. The melody strings are sounded by being plucked downwards, either with fingers or a plectrum. The identically tuned melody strings are often fretted in unison or so to create a major third. It is even possible to play a sixth interval, through using the octave string. The strings are played with a plectrum and are often all played at once. This is common because the accompaniment strings are tuned to a suitable chord that is relatively open, for example all the strings may be tuned to D or A.

Music for hummel

The hummel is perfectly suited for accompanying tunes, thanks to the many accompaniment strings. However, due to the relatively limited range of the instrument for playing more intricate melodies and keys, it is unlikely that there are many compositions written specifically for this instrument.

Hummel players

The most famous hummel player is probably Otto Malmborg or Ottar Hyll as his artistname was. An example of a contemporary hummel player is Erik Hector, who played the hummel on many of Sågskära's productions and Henrik "Hummel" Schön.

ee also

*Appalachian dulcimer
*Epinette des Vosges
*Langeleik
*Langspil
*Scheitholt


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Hummel (Instrument) — Die Hummel ist ein der Scherrzither verwandtes Saiteninstrument aus der Familie der Bordunzithern, bei dem die Melodiesaiten mit dem linken Zeigefinger oder einem Spielstab niedergedrückt werden, dabei zieht die rechte Hand ein Plättchen oder… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hummel — may refer to:People: * Arthur W. Hummel, Jr. (1920 2001), U.S. diplomat, ambassador to China from 1981 to 1985 * Arthur W. Hummel, Sr. (1884 1975), missionary and noted Sinologist * Bertold Hummel (1925 2002), German composer of classical music * …   Wikipedia

  • Hummel — bezeichnet: Hummeln, eine zu den Bienen gehörende Gattung sozial lebender Insekten Hummel (Familienname), einen Familiennamen Hummel (Flugzeug) oder Let Z 37, ein Agrarflugzeug tschechischer Produktion (ab 1963) Hummel (Funkstörpanzer), ein… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hummel (instrumento) — Para otros usos de este término, véase Hummel. El hummel es un instrumento de cuerda muy antiguo proveniente del norte de Europa, concretamente de Escandinavia. Se encuadra dentro de la categoría de instrumentos de cuerda pulsada (cítara). Consta …   Wikipedia Español

  • Hummel, Joh. Nepomuk — Hummel, Joh. Nepomuk, einer der ersten Pianisten der letzten Vergangenheit und ausgezeichneter Claviercomponist. Zu Preßburg 1778 geb., erhielt er die erste musikalische Unterweisung von seinem Vater, später aber in Wien zwei Jahre lang von… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Hummel [2] — Hummel, 1) Art Sackpfeife; 2) so v.w. Palalaika; 3) (Polnische H.), ein polnisches zitherähnliches Instrument …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Johann Nepomuk Hummel — or Jan Nepomuk Hummel (14 November 1778 ndash; 17 October 1837) was a composer and virtuoso pianist of Austrian origin who was born in Pressburg (present day Bratislava, Slovakia). His music reflects the transition from the Classical to the… …   Wikipedia

  • St. Cyriacus (Hümmel) — St. Cyriacus, von Süden Innenraum mit C …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Piano Concerto No. 3 (Hummel) — Johann Nepomuk Hummel s Piano Concerto No. 3 Op. 89 in B minor was composed in Vienna in 1819 and published in Leipzig in 1821 [Mikio Tao, Works Catalogue of Hummel , [http://www.geocities.com/mbfleur/Works Catalog of Hummel.pdf] (pdf)] . Unlike… …   Wikipedia

  • Piano Concerto No. 2 (Hummel) — Johann Nepomuk Hummel s Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 85 in A minor was written in 1816 and published in Vienna in 1821 [Mikio Tao, Works Catalogue of Hummel , [http://www.geocities.com/mbfleur/Works Catalog of Hummel.pdf] (pdf)] . Unlike his earlier… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”