Langeleik

The "langeleik" is a traditional stringed musical instrument from Norway.

The instrument has only one melody string, but it has additional drone strings (or "bourdons"). There are usually 7 or 8 drone strings on modern instruments, but older ones had fewer, most often four drones.

The frets under the melody string are placed such that it can only play a diatonic major scale. The drone strings are also tuned to the triad of the melody string (nominally C, E and G although really somewhere around A, C# and E). Since the instrument cannot play a chromatic scale nor be easily tuned to other pitches, it is very limited in its ability to play along with other instruments and/or more harmonically complex music.

The combination of the lone melody string and the multiple drone strings gives the langeleik a distinctively rich sound.

The oldest known "langeleik" in existence is dated 1524. It is clearly related to other European instruments, but mostly to the German "scheitholt" and the French "epinette des Vosges", among others.

Types of "langeleik"

Early langeleiks are basically rectangular in shape, and often have an open bottom. They usually have five or six strings. They often had unique traditional scales other than the modern major scale (using 3/4 tones, etc.). Especially the third and seventh tend to be different; the third is often neutral (between a major and minor third) and the seventh tends to be lower than the modern leading tone.

Modern langeleiks are somewhat curved, being wider at the middle, as it is the experience of modern instrument makers that this makes the instrument sound louder. They are all tuned to a major scale.

Performers

Even within Norway, there are comparatively few performers of the "langeleik". Among the best known performers of the late twentieth century is Elisabeth Kværne. The Norwegian blues guitarist Knut Reiersrud also plays it on occasion.

ee also

*Appalachian dulcimer
*Epinette des Vosges
*Hummel (instrument)
*Langspil
*Scheitholt